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.
