The National Union of Students (NUS) and UCLU Student Action for Refugees are calling to equal access to education for students seeking protection.

This petition is ONLY open to UCL students and staff, i.e. UCL email-addresses only. Email addresses MUST be provided for verification reasons.

The Equal Access campaign is calling for:

- Asylum seekers and those with Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) to be able to study as home students at UCL and all UK universities.

- Students seeking protection to be recognised as having additional needs just like other vulnerable groups and to be given the same access to additional support such as bursaries, grants and students loans at UCL and all UK universities.

Individuals who are waiting for a decision on their asylum application or who have been granted Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) in the UK as a result of an asylum claim are allowed to study at universities in the UK, but they do not have equal access to university.

They cannot access student loans and grants and must pay international fees. Most asylum seekers are denied the right to work and live on just £36 a week. They cannot afford up to £30,000 a year in university fees. Someone who has fled their country of origin to avoid war, torture or persecution is not the same as an international student who has chosen to study in Britain.

The Equal Access campaign is supported by a broad coalition including:

Contact: uclu-safr(at)ucl.ac.uk

Check out our video petition here: http://vimeo.com/53597487

For more information see: http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/campaigns/equal_access