Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for universities in England (1) providing accommodation, and (2) waiving fees, for Ukrainian students who have fled that country.

Alongside our allies, we are united in support for Ukraine. The department has been working closely with the education sector and across government more widely to ensure that Ukrainian students are supported during this difficult time.

The government is considering how best to support these students in continuing their education. This includes new visa concessions from the Home Office for Ukrainian nationals, including students, that will provide them with an opportunity to extend their leave, or switch to a Graduate route visa without having to leave the country.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme has now been launched. The scheme opened on Friday 18 March 2022 for visa applications from Ukrainians and immediate family members who already have named people willing to sponsor them.

We continue to encourage higher education (HE) providers to use hardship funding to support students from Ukraine where they are facing challenges, to ensure support is given where it is most needed.

To allow flexibility in dealing with the circumstances of individual applicants, HE providers have the discretion to waive or reduce fees where they consider it appropriate to do so.