North Hertfordshire College is a College of Sanctuary
North Hertfordshire College has officially achieved College of Sanctuary status, recognising our welcoming and safe culture for refugees and asylum seekers.
This means you will be able to access education to help you start a new life in this country, from finding a job to supporting your own children with their learning.
We’ve gathered some information to help you settle in and make the most of your time with us 👍
As a student at North Hertfordshire College, you can access:
Supporting you in the classroom and beyond 🤝
The support you receive as a North Hertfordshire College student goes beyond the curriculum. You’ll also have access to:
- Career advisors, who can guide you in finding work experience, job placements, and work on your CV
- Our Student Voice network, allowing you to become a representative for your course and fellow students
- Personal and Academic Development, including a specific tutor to help you learn essential study and life skills
- Mental health and wellbeing support on-campus and online
- On-campus prayer rooms, providing quiet spaces for reflection and spiritual practice.
Who can I contact about support for refugees and asylum seekers at NHC?
North Hertfordshire College is here to help.
If you’re a refugee or asylum seeker thinking of enrolling in North Hertfordshire College, or you’re supporting someone in making their application, click the button below to email our team for further assistance or advice.
As a College of Sanctuary, North Hertfordshire College will:
– Seek to identify and overcome barriers to educational access and progression for students seeking sanctuary.
– Foster a culture where everyone feels safe, like they belong, and can succeed.
– Learn directly from our students with lived experience of forced migration about how we can improve our teaching and our provision.
– Support students to lead sanctuary-related activities on-campus.
– Raise our community’s awareness of the experience of people seeking sanctuary, challenging misconceptions and recognising how these new arrivals make our community and our country even better.
– Ensure our staff are effectively trained and equipped to understand and meet the needs of students from forced migration backgrounds.
– Recognise the role we all have in building a culture of understanding, compassion, and kindness in NHC and the wider community.
– Connect and collaborate with other organisations and institutions to help them support people seeking sanctuary too.
Other helpful resources
Student Action for Refugees (STAR) is a national network of students who are building a more understanding and just society where refugees are welcomed and can thrive in the UK.
The network features student groups which are based in a variety of colleges and universities, as well as a central team of experts. Their work includes:
- Volunteering locally and working directly with refugees, building understanding and connections
- Campaigning nationally for policy change and equal access to higher education for refugees
- Learning about refugee protection and the asylum journey in the UK with experts and peers
Academic English can be a barrier for students that can get in the way of learning. We’ve put together some resources to help you improve your language skills and your confidence when it comes to studying in English.
YouTube:
Podcasts:
English for Speakers of Other Languages courses at North Hertfordshire College
Our classes are taught in a supportive environment at our Stevenage campus, helping increase students’ confidence in studying and living in the UK.
To find out more about these courses, please contact admissions@nhc.ac.uk or visit our Stevenage campus during our opening hours.
UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
The UK Council for International Student Affairs runs a helpline, lobbies the UK Government on issues that impact international students, and runs a student ambassador programme.
The council is especially helpful if you’re looking for support regarding government guidelines and regulations, such as changes in visa requirements.
British Council
The British Council and the Study UK website offers practical information and insight on UK education for international students.
They can help you understand the process of applying to university in the UK after college, inform you of scholarships that are available, and also direct you to approved agents who can help you apply to a UK university.
Herts Welcomes Refugees
A local network of over 150 volunteers who provide practical support to help you connect with the local community and adjust to life in the UK.
Flourish – Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service
Flourish is run by Herts Mind Network and provides advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to refugees and asylum seekers who are experiencing mental ill health, or need support with mental wellbeing and daily challenges.
You can find out more about Flourish on Mind’s website: