University of Bristol Independent Student Newspaper
www.epigram.org.uk
Monday 19th October 2015
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Campaigners welcome the scheme, but claim the University must go further
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Bristol STAR demands universities stop charging asylum seekers international fees Emily Faint and Ben Parr Online News Editor and Investigations Editor
investigates Prevent: what does it mean for us?
Page 7
Arts
An interview with the Australian poet
Epigram/ Becki Murray
Group and two speakers, Mohammad, an Egyptian currently seeking asylum, and Issa, a Syrian who now has refugee status. Bristol Student Action For Refugees (STAR), a refugee charity, have teamed up with Fixers to create a film featuring the stories of several young people who have been forced to flee their homes in countries such as Syria, Sudan and Pakistan, but still harbour aspirations to attend university. The film was screened at the campaign’s launch, which took place at the University of Bristol. With no access to financial support due to their status as asylum seekers, the cost of international student fees far exceeds the means of the incoming majority. According to the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), the fees charged to ‘overseas’ students ‘can range from £3,500 to about £18,000 per year depending on the institution, the level of course and the type of course.’ continued on page 3
Epigram/ Marissa Mir
The University of Bristol is introducing five fully funded scholarships for Syrian refugees. However, campaigners are putting pressure on the university to go further in their support for asylum seekers. The new initiative is part of their commitment to working with the city and Bristol SU to welcome refugees into the community. The university has also emphasised its support for academics who are caught up in the conflict by providing space and sanctuary to those who need it. ‘The University of Bristol is committed to working with the city, our Students’ Union and other partners to welcome refugees into our community,’ Dr. Maggie Leggett, Interim Director of Communications and Marketing told
Epigram. ‘Bristol is a City of Sanctuary and we look forward to the University playing its part.’ Further pressure has been put on the universities by campaigner and third year medical student, Anna Lewis, and the charity, Fixers. They are campaigning to change the policy of UK universities, which charges asylum seekers international student fees to enrol in university, unless they have acquired full refugee status. This process can take many years. ‘The problem is asylum seekers are classified as international students, which means they have to pay for international fees,’ Lewis told Epigram. ‘Each university has the discretion to classify individuals as home students or international students. ‘[Some] universities have agreed to...classify all asylum seekers as home students and set up appropriate bursaries and grants,’ she claimed. The campaign was launched on October 7th with an event involving the Migration Research
Becky Morton
eming
The University of Bristol confirm they are introducing a scholarship scheme for refugees
Mick Fl
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Features Flickr:
Asylum seekers are welcome at the University of Bristol
Issue 291
Les Murray, by Becki Murray (no relation) Page 36
Music Caitlin Butler realises her
Fire at 33 Colston Street
fourteen-year interviewing
Flickr: Ben Houdijk
old dream by Scouting for Girls Page 44
Style
Introducing new Style James Higgins...
@double_denim_addiction
Epigram/ Ciara Lally
On Monday 12th October a devastating fire broke out at 33 Colston Street, home to over 120 University of Bristol students. The University has been supporting students impacted. For the full story and up to date details, go to our website: www.epigram.org.uk
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