Ukrainian refugees will pay the same tuition as domestic students at English universities, £9,250 per year – rather than the significantly higher international fees – and will be eligible for Student Finance (student aid such as loans & grants).
Student finance is the organisation that comes in the form of a state loan which pays the cost of university tuition fees. There are two types of loans. The first is a tuition fee loan, which covers the cost of the academic course and goes directly to the university. The second is a maintenance loan, which is usually used for basic needs including accommodation, travel and food.
The Ukrainian refugees who qualify to stay in the UK under one of the Home Office schemes will not be required to meet “last three-years residence rule” for student support, which is usually one of the main conditions to meet for non-UK citizens.
According to the UK Government's official website, there are three of types status choices for Ukrainian refugees:
1. Ukraine Family Scheme -You’re Ukrainian and you have family in the UK.
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British citizens, UK residents, and certain others to visit or stay in the United Kingdom.
Even children travelling with a family member must submit a separate application.
It is completely free to apply.
You will be able to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom while also having access to government funds
To apply to the Ukraine Family Scheme you must:
- be applying to join or accompany your UK-based family member
- be Ukrainian or the family member of a Ukrainian national who is applying to the scheme to join a UK-based immediate family member
- have been living in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (even if you have now left Ukraine)
You can apply if you’ve already arrived in the UK and meet the requirements above.
2. Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)-You’re Ukrainian and you don’t have family in the UK
Ukrainian nationals and their families can travel to the UK via the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme if they have a recognized sponsor under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme who can offer housing for at least six months.
It is completely free to apply.
You will be able to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom while also having access to government funds.
To apply to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, and either:
- 18 or older on the date of application
- under 18 years old and applying with your parent or legal guardian, or to join them in the UK
- have been residing in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine)
- be outside of the UK
- have an eligible UK-based sponsor
To meet the requirements to be approved as a sponsor you must:
1. Be over the age of 18
2. Be based in the UK;
3. Have at least 6 months' permission to be in the UK
4. Provide one identifying document (UK Passport, Irish Passport or Passport Card
Biometric Residence Permit, Refugee Travel Document etc.)
5. Confirm you can provide accommodation for a period of at least 6 months in the UK;
3. Ukraine Extension Scheme -You’re Ukrainian and are already in the UK
If you are Ukrainian or a family member of a Ukrainian, you can apply for the Ukraine Extension Scheme. If you had permission to stay in the UK on or before March 18, 2022, you can apply. If your right to stay expired on or after January 1, 2022, you can also apply.
If you want to keep your present visa, you should think about switching to the Ukraine Extension Scheme. This route does not currently lead to settlement, which means that any time spent in the UK on this visa may not be counted against an application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in the future.
You can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
It is free to apply.
The government also confirmed that English institutions will be able to access £4 million in funding across the 2022-23 years from the Office for Students to financially support Ukrainian students studying in the country.
The UK’s higher education sector can play an important role in ensuring that Ukraine’s citizens, educational institutions and cultural capital can not only survive this crisis but emerge stronger.