Over the course of 2024-25, the Students' Association worked in partnership with Edinburgh College to be awarded College of Sanctuary status in recognition of the support we provides to refugees and asylum seekers in accessing educational opportunities.
The College of Sanctuary status – awarded by the City of Sanctuary UK network – recognises and aims to enhance the work of colleges in providing support and opportunities for refugees, asylum seekers, and those seeking sanctuary in the UK.
To gain the award, a group of staff from across the College united to audit and enhance the range of support provided to students seeking sanctuary currently enrolled at the College. This involved expanding training for staff on sanctuary-seeking issues, improving signposting to support services, broadening engagement with local refugee and asylum seeker support organisations, and enhancing opportunities for students of all backgrounds to become involved in college life.
In addition, the Students' Association provided a paid work placement opportunity for a student seeking sanctuary to lead on incorporating the student voice into the heart of the project. Through this work, Student Engagement Assistant, Zahra Maleki, interviewed a number of students to learn more about their journey to the UK, College experience, the support that they receive, and plans for the future, to help the College gain a deeper understanding of the lives of these students and the challenges they face. You can read the student stories Zahra compiled here.
Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford said:
"College is a place for everyone. For decades, our College has welcomed those from across the world seeking sanctuary from violence, insecurity and persecution. Through the education we provide, our college and our staff offer vital opportunities to these students and, working with our partners, support them to integrate into life in their new communities in Edinburgh and across our region. In pursuing this award, we are making a statement about the sort of College we are – one that supports inclusion, values diversity and provides sanctuary to those who need it most.
We currently have around one thousand students studying with us from a sanctuary-seeking background. We hope the process of working towards this award will improve all aspects of the Edinburgh College experience for them and those coming to the College seeking sanctuary in the future."
For further information and resources, take a look at the following links:
- College of Sanctuary Website
- EC News Article - Committed to College of Sanctuary
- Students' Association College of Sanctuary Poster - Asylum Seeker, Refugee, Migrant
- Funding information for Asylum Seekers & Refugees at College
- EC Celebrates Becoming a College of Sanctuary
- Sanctuary-Seeking Students Stories from Edinburgh College
- Article for Refugee Week 2025
