Oral histories of Ukrainian refugees in English higher education

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainians have fled in mass numbers to seek refuge. Among this group, many (prospective) students and academics had to leave Ukraine to seek safety and new opportunities within the higher education sector elsewhere.

We conducted research to create an oral history archive of the experiences of Ukrainian refugees in the English higher education sector. We interviewed 11 Ukrainian refugees ranging from prospective students to qualified academics, to explore their ability to navigate the sector. We found that despite some support measures available, Ukrainian refugees face numerous challenges when trying to access and participate in higher education in England, whether they are students or academics.

Even with special support measures in place, the process is far from straightforward. These refugees often have to be incredibly resourceful, using all available connections and resources, even those outside the higher education sector, to overcome the barriers they face. This journey to become part of the higher education community is not just about finding opportunities but also about actively creating them, demonstrating their resilience and determination.

A place of opportunity

Ukrainian students and academics reported that the UK broadly, as well as specifically higher education institutions in England, created opportunities for them to adapt and succeed in their new host community. Institutions individually or in partnership with organisations such as the Council of At-risk Academics (CARA) provided sanctuary scholarships, financial support, free language classes, and safe spaces for Ukrainians to connect within their institutions.

Ukrainian students and academics as well as those who have been aspiring to become students or academics in England also expressed their gratitude towards the Homes for Ukraine scheme provided by the UK government, as their hosts’ support alleviated pressures that typically burden refugees when entering new countries and the HE sector.

Here is an example of a positive influence of hosts on the adaptation to life in England by one Ukrainian academic:

Thank God, there was a family who was ready to host us… We are very happy about this, because I think this is a lifelong acquaintance. The key one, the one that turned our lives around. I came with my children, and my children are almost adults. We settled in very well, they provided us with full support in absolutely everything, such as accommodation and children’s education.

Persistent challenges and pursuing agency

Despite the support measures, our interviewees explained that they have faced many persistent challenges that restricted their ability to navigate the English HE sector. Language barriers still existed within HEIs and the high cost of living in England created financial pressures and increased difficulty to find employment and accommodation. Another key obstacle that impacted Ukrainian prospective students and academics’ experiences was the non-recognition of previous qualifications that were attained in Ukraine.

One of our interviewees summarised their current situation:

My career in Ukraine seems to have reached almost the highest level. I mean, if you look at the scientific field, it is a doctor, a professor. Whereas in England, it has dropped to a lower level, and now I need to build it back up to a higher one.

Both Ukrainian students and academics, and those aspiring to become students or academics in England, have been experiencing challenges that the British government and English institutions struggled to rectify. However, we found they were able to discover avenues independently or collectively as Ukrainians to create their own opportunities. By using technology to communicate and discover information, attending extra classes to improve their skillsets, finding appropriate independent agencies that help Ukrainian students enrol to English universities, and creating their own communities within England has provided them with the agency to reach their goals.

One participant highlighted the importance of have access to a Ukrainian community in England:

…when all Ukrainians know that, for example, on Saturdays they gather in such a church, and on Thursdays they gather for language courses there. And that is it, it is necessary to give advertisements and announcements through these chats, through some pages on Facebook.

How HE can help

These findings are crucial for guiding policymaking at both national and institutional levels in England and beyond. They highlight the effectiveness of current support measures for refugees, including those from Ukraine who have gone to great lengths to generate and apply their resourcefulness in navigating the challenges of integrating into a host community and HE sector.

While Ukrainian refugees face general challenges such as language barriers, high living costs, and issues in finding suitable or any employment and accommodation, there are also specific challenges related to the HE environment which require interventions: recognition of prior qualifications, enhanced English language support, financial assistance, building social networks, utilising technology.

All HE stakeholders, from the government to the employees at higher education institutions, play a crucial role in supporting Ukrainian refugees. Thus, by implementing the following recommendations, they can help refugees find and exercise their agency and succeed in the HE environment:

• Develop clear policies for qualification recognition by working with credential evaluation services to streamline the recognition process for Ukrainian qualifications
• Expand English language support programs by offering more intensive and specialised language courses tailored to the needs of Ukrainian refugees
• Explore ways for increasing financial support by provide additional scholarships, grants, and affordable housing options to reduce financial pressures
• Foster community building by create initiatives that encourage social integration and peer support amongst Ukrainian refugees
• Leverage technology by using digital platforms to disseminate information, offer virtual support, and connect refugees with resources and mentors