Written question WQ85032

We are committed to doing everything we can to support people fleeing the war in Ukraine and to provide sanctuary and safety in Wales, including supporting those who wish to continue or commence studies.

The UK Government has introduced a number of routes for people from Ukraine to apply for visas to come to the UK – the Homes for Ukraine scheme, under which the Welsh Government is acting as a super-sponsor; the Ukraine Family Scheme and, for those Ukrainians already resident in the UK, the Ukraine extension scheme.

We will ensure any young person who comes to Wales has access to education. For learners who are of school age, this will be provided in collaboration with local authorities and schools and for post-16 learners in collaboration with FE colleges and Universities.

The UK Government’s Ukraine schemes are newly-created routes, which provide a right to residency in the UK. Unfortunately they do not provide automatic access to student support.

We have a long track record of making those in protection-based immigration schemes eligible for higher education student support and we are reviewing our legislation to provide support for those undertaking a course of higher education.

It is anticipated, subject to the appropriate legislation being made and laid, people who come to the UK via the UK Government’s Ukraine schemes, will be eligible for undergraduate and postgraduate student support, home fee status, and, in connection with an undergraduate course, the tuition fee cap.

Students will be able to apply to start their studies from 1 August 2022. Eligibility conditions will apply.

We have perhaps the most generous eligibility policy for people who are granted protection-based leave to be in the UK but until these legislative changes are made, universities are unable to offer home fee status to students who would be currently classed as international students.

Universities are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own admissions, employment and offers of financial and academic support. We are working collaboratively with the sector to take a coordinated approach, to understand what offers of support are available from each institution and how we can enable them to respond accordingly.

Our universities in Wales have been extremely responsive, offering a range of support packages, such as fellowships and individual sponsorships and we are also working with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) and Universities of Sanctuary to ensure any support packages can be accessed through the right channels.

Additionally, HEIs are able to participate in a twinning initiative via a Universities UK International (UUKI) led partnership in collaboration with Universities Wales. This will match and facilitate longer-term collaboration between UK and Ukrainian institutions to support them, including access to curriculum content and online resources; research collaboration; short term student/staff mobility. The intention is to support academics and students to return to or remain in Ukraine so we do not encourage a ‘brain drain’.