This status has been awarded by City of Sanctuary, a charity that works with groups, organisations and individuals across every area and every sector in the UK to promote inclusivity, solidarity and compassion for those seeking sanctuary.
Our membership recognises our commitment to creating a culture of safety, inclusion and support, which is central to our strategic focus on fostering Vibrant and Inclusive Communities.
Professor Malcolm Cook, Chair of LUSARG said: “This award is a testament to the incredible work of our entire university community in creating a true culture of welcome. Our sanctuary scholars and students bring immense value to Loughborough, and I'm proud that we can offer them not just educational opportunities, but a genuine home where they can rebuild their lives and share their talents with us all.”
Sanctuary seekers and their families, as well as several University teams including Loughborough Students’ Union, the University Chaplaincy, the International Student Experience team and the Global Engagement team, have all worked closely together to assist the University of Sanctuary submission and have been instrumental in supporting at-risk students at Loughborough.
Becoming a University of Sanctuary means we have committed to a range of initiatives, some of which have been shared below.
The Loughborough University for Students and Academics At-Risk Group (LUSARG) exists to help at-risk students and academics from around the world. This includes scholars whose homes are located in regions of conflict such that their lives or the lives of their families are in danger. The forms of support vary and may include financial support in the form of short-term fellowships or scholarships, assistance with seeking accommodation, support with local community integration and language skills, and access to learning and scholarly resources.
Last year, we introduced Sanctuary Scholarships to support prospective students, originally developed from a previous offering to Ukrainian students launched in 2022 to support students displaced or fleeing from Ukraine as a result of war. In 2024, we awarded one undergraduate and two Postgraduate taught scholarships. Two were Ukrainian, and one was Nigerian. We will be offering three scholarships again this year covering the full cost of tuition fees, as well as a stipend to cover living costs – made possible thanks to a successful fundraising campaign from the Philanthropy, Alumni and Supporter Engagement team (PASE). Additionally, the Doctoral College will be offering two scholarships per year for PhD study to individuals who have experienced forced migration or are considered at risk in their home country.
In the last three years, Loughborough University’s relationship with Cara (the Council for At-Risk Academics) has allowed us to offer sanctuary and support to academics from around the world. One of our most impactful initiatives has been the funding of Research Fellows who collaborate with our academics on significant research challenges of mutual interest. These collaborations have often led to joint funding applications, allowing us to sustain these valuable relationships and provide a safe, productive environment where at-risk academics can thrive and expand their networks. We have twinned with Beketov National University in Ukraine as part of a Universities UK International initiative to enable campuses to stay open, academics to continue their teaching and research, and students to carry on their studies.