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University of Sanctuary

We are proud to be a University of Sanctuary, we are continually looking at the best ways to welcome asylum seekers and refugees into the University community.

The University of Sanctuary is a UK-wide initiative aiming to ensure universities foster a culture of welcome and inclusion for asylum seekers and refugees. We are committed to the Bradford City of Sanctuary vision of welcome and we are proud to work closely with the City of Sanctuary and partners in delivering our commitments.

What we do as a University of Sanctuary

Our small working group was formed in 2012 with representatives from the Faculty of Health Studies and the Faculty of Management, Law & Social Sciences, all of whom had an interest in issues affecting asylum seekers and refugees in relation to research, curriculum development and practice. This working group expanded in 2015, now with representatives from across the University.

In 2015, the Faculty of Health Studies achieved the Sanctuary in Health Award for its work engaging asylum seekers and refugees in Faculty teaching, learning, assessment and research.

The work of Health Studies was launched cross the University during the Diversity Festival in April 2016 and in September 2017 we received our University of Sanctuary award. This was presented to members of the working group at a Sanctuary supper in March 2018.

In recent years, we have continued to demonstrate commitment to supporting asylum seekers and refugees to access and succeed in higher education through ambitions and targets set out in our Access and Participation plans.

The City of Sanctuary Organisation pledge

We are proud to have signed the City of Sanctuary Organisation Pledge:

  • We support the 'City of Sanctuary' vision that the UK will be a welcoming place of safety for all, and is proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.
  • We endorse the City of Sanctuary Charter, and agree to act in accordance with City of Sanctuary values and apply the network principles within our work (as far as our specific context enables us to).
  • We recognise the contribution of people seeking sanctuary. Sanctuary seekers are welcomed, included and supported within our context.

Supporting Sanctuary Students

We have a wide-range of support on offer for asylum seeker and refugee applicants, including Sanctuary Scholarships. You can find out more about all of this support by visiting our dedicated support page.

If you would like to support Sanctuary Students at the University please visit Giving to Bradford to find out more about making a donation.

Visit our Sanctuary Scholarship page for details on how to apply.

The Bradford City of Sanctuary

The Bradford City of Sanctuary has a number of volunteering opportunities for anyone who would like to get involved in helping welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers in our city.

Some of these opportunities would provide valuable work-related experience for students in the health professions, psychology or sociology. The list is regularly updated, so if you don't see something that interests you, please check back or contact the City of Sanctuary team and let them know what you're interested in.