Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
By signing this petition you demand fair access to Queens University Belfast for asylum seekers. The Student Action for Refugees (STAR) wants fully funded access to education at QUB for those who have come to Northern Ireland, having fled war, torture and persecution and now seek to fulfill their academic potential and build successful lives.
Currently asylum seekers (for the difference between asylum seekers and refugees click here) have to pay the international tuition fee, this can cost anywhere between 13-31.000 pounds per year in QUB. It is impossible for asylum seekers to pay this since they are not allowed to work and have to survive on £37 a week.
We believe that universities should take a leading role in responding to the international challenges of the global refugee crisis. We believe that QUB has a responsibility to play its part in the response to the global refugee crisis and will benefit from opening its doors to those students seeking refugee protection.
Therefore STAR requests that QUB creates fully funded places for asylum seekers already living in Northern Ireland. Many prestigious universities in the UK, including Manchester, Leeds, and London, are already offering either fully funded places to refugees and asylum seekers or treat them as home students. QUB states in its ‘Vision 2020’ that it wants to increase international student population from “8% to 20%” and aims include “welcoming students from all over the world and helping them to achieve their ambitions”. If QUB would offer asylum seekers funded places, it would bring these goals closer.
Education is a fundamental human right, recognized by the United Nations. We do not believe that financial barriers should prevent asylum seekers from achieving their academic potential. Asylum seekers have no legal right to work and cannot get a student loan, their only option is to be given financial help by universities and other educational facilities.
On the 1st of December QUB STAR will start a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of asylum seekers who are being denied the opportunity of further education. This petition and a petition for staff will thereafter be presented to Queen's board.
We thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and hope you sign the petition in order to improve the life of asylum seekers in Belfast and to improve QUB's engagement and responsability in society.
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Updates
December 2, 2015
I have been meeting with student representatives behind the scenes to discuss how we can get these tuition barriers removed for good. Hearing the stories of people trapped in this system keeps me pushing forward even when progress feels slow.
December 2, 2015
Seeing this level of support reminds me exactly why I started this fight for my friends who were met with closed doors instead of opportunity. The momentum is growing because you refuse to accept that a person's right to learn should depend on their financial status. We are finally proving that our university community values human potential over tuition barriers.
9 Comments
How is anyone expected to pay thousands a year on £37 a week?? QUB needs to get real and stop blocking people from getting an education.
Education is a right not a privilege for the lucky few. Do the right thing QUB.
I don't see why they should be treated any different just cos they are asylum seekers
People who have been forced to flee their home country shouldn't be deprived of education because they don't have the money to pay fees.
In welcoming people here, we should wish them to succeed. Access to education is therefore essential.
Queens Student - School of History and Anthropology
Peace. Love.
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Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
By signing this petition you demand fair access to Queens University Belfast for asylum seekers. The Student Action for Refugees (STAR) wants fully funded access to education at QUB for those who have come to Northern Ireland, having fled war, torture and persecution and now seek to fulfill their academic potential and build successful lives.
Currently asylum seekers (for the difference between asylum seekers and refugees click here) have to pay the international tuition fee, this can cost anywhere between 13-31.000 pounds per year in QUB. It is impossible for asylum seekers to pay this since they are not allowed to work and have to survive on £37 a week.
We believe that universities should take a leading role in responding to the international challenges of the global refugee crisis. We believe that QUB has a responsibility to play its part in the response to the global refugee crisis and will benefit from opening its doors to those students seeking refugee protection.
Therefore STAR requests that QUB creates fully funded places for asylum seekers already living in Northern Ireland. Many prestigious universities in the UK, including Manchester, Leeds, and London, are already offering either fully funded places to refugees and asylum seekers or treat them as home students. QUB states in its ‘Vision 2020’ that it wants to increase international student population from “8% to 20%” and aims include “welcoming students from all over the world and helping them to achieve their ambitions”. If QUB would offer asylum seekers funded places, it would bring these goals closer.
Education is a fundamental human right, recognized by the United Nations. We do not believe that financial barriers should prevent asylum seekers from achieving their academic potential. Asylum seekers have no legal right to work and cannot get a student loan, their only option is to be given financial help by universities and other educational facilities.
On the 1st of December QUB STAR will start a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of asylum seekers who are being denied the opportunity of further education. This petition and a petition for staff will thereafter be presented to Queen's board.
We thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and hope you sign the petition in order to improve the life of asylum seekers in Belfast and to improve QUB's engagement and responsability in society.
Updates
December 2, 2015
I have been meeting with student representatives behind the scenes to discuss how we can get these tuition barriers removed for good. Hearing the stories of people trapped in this system keeps me pushing forward even when progress feels slow.
December 2, 2015
Seeing this level of support reminds me exactly why I started this fight for my friends who were met with closed doors instead of opportunity. The momentum is growing because you refuse to accept that a person's right to learn should depend on their financial status. We are finally proving that our university community values human potential over tuition barriers.
9 Comments
Its pretty simple. If someone is living here and wants to learn they should have the same shot as everyone else. The fees are just ridiculous.
How is anyone expected to pay thousands a year on £37 a week?? QUB needs to get real and stop blocking people from getting an education.
Education is a right not a privilege for the lucky few. Do the right thing QUB.
I don't see why they should be treated any different just cos they are asylum seekers
People who have been forced to flee their home country shouldn't be deprived of education because they don't have the money to pay fees.
In welcoming people here, we should wish them to succeed. Access to education is therefore essential.
Queens Student - School of History and Anthropology
Peace. Love.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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Its pretty simple. If someone is living here and wants to learn they should have the same shot as everyone else. The fees are just ridiculous.