Refugee and Asylum Seeker Learners

Our Pledge

At Oldham College, we proudly welcome and support refugees, asylum seekers and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners as valued members of our College community.

As a prospective FE College of Sanctuary, we support the City of Sanctuary vision of creating a welcoming place for people seeking safety and a new start in the UK. We endorse the City of Sanctuary Charter and are committed to putting its values and principles into practice across the College.

We pledge to:

Create a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment across the College community
Make sure every learner has a positive and fair experience from pre-enrolment through to their next steps
Provide training and awareness opportunities for staff on issues affecting refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking and migration
Raise awareness of the experiences and challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers among learners and the wider community
Celebrate the contributions of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to the UK, including through events such as Refugee Week
Encourage ESOL learners to take part in activities and projects within the College and the local community
Continue to build a culture where refugees and asylum seekers feel welcome, valued and included
Work in partnership with local organisations and community groups to ensure the voices of our local community are heard and valued
Be a trauma-informed college, recognising the impact that moving to a new country can have on learners.

Support for Sanctuary-Seeking Learners

This image shows a focused person in a beige hijab collaborating with classmates in a classroom setting.

We provide a range of support to help refugee and asylum seeker learners during their time at college. Working with government agencies, community partners and other education providers, we can support you with:

English language courses to help improve language skills, support learning and aid educational integration
CV writing, job applications and interview preparation through our Careers team
Advice and guidance relating to residency, financial support and childcare
A dedicated College of Sanctuary lead
Physical and mental wellbeing support
Community projects, events and volunteering opportunities that help learners get involved in and contribute to local communities
Our Elevate (Citizenship) Programme, which helps learners understand the social, legal and cultural aspects of life in modern Britain.

For further information about the support available, please email Emma Coppinger, Head of Personal Development and College of Sanctuary Lead.

How We Can Support You

Improve your English with English language courses (ESOL)

Oldham College offers a wide range of courses. If English is not your first language, our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses can help you improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

ESOL courses are available for learners of all ages and can lead to nationally recognised qualifications, further study and employment opportunities.

Our ESOL team helps learners settle into college life through multilingual induction events, meet-and-greet sessions and ongoing pastoral support.

We recognise the unique experiences and strengths that refugee and asylum seeker learners bring to our college community. We provide high-quality teaching, dedicated support and staff who understand the challenges some learners may have experienced before arriving in the UK.

Through workshops, activities and our College of Sanctuary pledge, we help learners build confidence and achieve their goals.

16-18 ESOL courses

Adult ESOL courses

Get help with College costs

Sanctuary-seeking learners can apply for financial support through the Oldham College bursary to help with some of the costs of attending college. The bursary is designed to help remove financial barriers and support learners to attend college and take part fully in their education.

For eligible adult asylum seekers, the bursary can provide weekly travel payments paid directly into a bank account. If a learner does not have a bank account, the Bursary team can provide guidance on opening one. The College can also provide supporting letters to help with the application process.

The bursary can also help adults with the cost of educational trips that are required as part of their course. Additional support may be available in cases of financial hardship, including help with meals.

For eligible asylum seekers aged 16 to 18, the bursary can provide all of the above, as well as support with essential books, equipment and specialist clothing required for their course.

View financial support and bursary information

Access childcare support

Asylum-seeking learners with children may be able to access support with childcare costs on timetabled college days. Support can be provided through Butterflies Nursery, our on-site childcare provision, or an approved private childcare provider.

Learn more about childcare support and funding

Explore additional funding opportunities

There are a range of funding opportunities available to help refugees and asylum seekers access education and develop new skills. The support available will depend on individual circumstances and eligibility criteria.

For more information about funding opportunities, visit Refugee Education UK.