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Aim Higher: Access to Higher Education for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

This course is designed to help refugees and asylum seekers get the information they need to apply for university in the UK.

2,321 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

Why join the course?

This course is designed to help refugees and asylum seekers get the information and the support they need to apply for and enter university in the UK. Follow Ahmad and Rassina as they guide you through the application process, helping you to understand where you want to go, and how to get there. The course is supported by a group of experts across higher education, refugee support networks, language assessment providers and refugees studying at universities.

Skip to 0 minutes and 16 seconds Hello I am Ahmad. I am from Aleppo, Syria, and today I am studying at the University of London, doing my master’s in Violence, Conflict and Development. I’ll be your guide throughout this online course. We’ll be talking about how to overcome the challenges that you might face if you’re an asylum seeker or a refugee while applying to one of the UK universities. When I came to the UK last year, I thought at first to apply for university. And if I have a grant as refugee, that’s more good to apply for financial support and funding and eligible for everything like home students.

Skip to 0 minutes and 58 seconds This course, Aim Higher, is an opportunity for asylum seekers and refugees who are living in the UK to learn more about the UK education system.

Skip to 1 minute and 10 seconds It’s really important to get started by thinking about what is your current level. And then you can think, what do you need and how exactly can you improve. This course will give you information about how to overcome these challenges, will also provide you with tips and strategies while you’re studying here in the UK. Today you’ve got dozens of websites, dozens of charities working on education, on how to support refugees and asylum seekers. This course is an opportunity to learn all about how to go to a university in the UK and aim higher.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for refugees and asylum seekers looking to continue or start their Higher Education studies in the UK.

It would also be useful for anyone who supports or teaches refugees hoping to study at university.

The focus of this course is applying for, and preparing for undergraduate study.

What software or tools do you need?

You don’t require any special tools or software to access this course.

Who will you learn with?

Ahmad Al-Rashid is a Syrian refugee and campaigner who is currently studying an MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development at SOAS, University of London.

Who developed the course?

Cambridge University Press & Assessment

We are a department of the University of Cambridge. Together with teachers and our partners, we’re here to engage and inspire millions of people throughout their entire learning journey. We help them confidently prove their skills to the world.

Endorsers and supporters

supported by

SOAS logo

supported by

UCAS

supported by

University of Nottingham

supported by

British Council

supported by

The Student Room

supported by

Article 26

supported by

Techfugees

supported by

Student Action for Refugees

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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