23/06/2025
“I can’t thank you enough for the good work and precious help you are providing. The session went fantastic. The mentor was amazing… I can’t wait to be back for the next mentoring session.”
Accessing university in the UK is tough for many people — but for those seeking asylum or with refugee status, it’s so much harder. That’s why STAR (Student Action for Refugees) launched our University Application Mentoring Project during the pandemic. We saw a clear need: people were navigating an unfamiliar, often hostile system with little support and few accessible resources. Our project bridges the gap between aspiration and opportunity for displaced students and we have supported hundreds of people through our online university application information sessions and 1:1 mentoring programme, offering guidance on scholarships, admissions, and preparing for university life.
In its first year, our pilot project supported 59 people — and the impact was immediate. One mentee shared:
“I started uni in September 2021. I was also fortunate to be awarded an asylum seeker scholarship. This was made possible by you and your organisation for working tirelessly.”
Four years on our programme has supported over 250 individuals with 1:1 mentoring, and around 500 more a year through our expert-led information sessions covering everything from UCAS and student finance to applying for Sanctuary Scholarships.
Mentees are matched with trained volunteers – who are current students, many with refugee backgrounds themselves — who understand the process firsthand. The results speak for themselves, with many going on to secure the university places and scholarships they dreamed of.
“My mentor was incredible. Without her, I don’t think I would have got a scholarship.”
We’re proud of the life-changing impact of this programme — and we’re not stopping here. With your support, we can continue expanding this vital work, building a future where equal access to education is a reality for all.
And we have great news! As part of the Small Charity Week Big Give Campaign for the next 7 days – until the 30th June – every donation you make on this link will be doubled so you can make twice the difference!
Please share this with your networks, family and friends- anyone you know who wants to make a real difference to the lives of refugees in the UK