Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign

The Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign (CRSC) was founded in October 2017 by a group of students at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The campaign emerged as a direct response to the growing global refugee crisis and its severe impact on access to higher education. Recognizing that political upheaval and humanitarian emergencies were interrupting the academic journeys of countless individuals, these students mobilized to advocate for tangible institutional support within the university system. The campaign’s initial efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentships, a dedicated scholarship program for refugees and those whose education has been disrupted. Today, the Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign continues to work from its base in Cambridge, England, focusing on both maintaining this scholarship pathway and encouraging similar initiatives at other universities across the United Kingdom and globally.

Current Focus and Mission

While the CRSC’s early work helped secure the Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentships, the campaign remains actively committed to its original mission. Its primary focus is on supporting potential applicants to the University of Cambridge whose educational trajectories have been affected by political instability, conflict, or humanitarian crises. This involves providing information, guidance, and advocacy for individuals navigating the complex university admissions process. The campaign also maintains a broader advocacy role, aiming to demonstrate how student-led initiatives can effectively partner with university administrations to create sustainable scholarship programs. By sharing its model and experiences, the Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign hopes to inspire similar efforts at other institutions, both within the United Kingdom and internationally.

Services and Activities

As a student-led advocacy and support campaign rather than a full-service PR agency, the CRSC’s activities are centered on awareness-raising, guidance, and partnership building. Its services are tailored to the specific needs of refugee and displaced scholars. These include:

• Information and guidance for prospective applicants about the Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentships and the University of Cambridge application process.
• Advocacy and public communication campaigns to raise awareness about the barriers refugees face in accessing higher education.
• Partnership development with university departments, student unions, and external organizations to expand support for displaced scholars.
• Documentation and sharing of best practices to help other universities establish similar scholarship schemes.
• Engagement with media and public audiences through its website and community outreach to highlight the importance of educational opportunities for refugees.

Who Benefits from the Campaign

The Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign is ideally suited for individuals whose education has been interrupted by war, persecution, or political instability and who are seeking to apply to the University of Cambridge. It also serves as a valuable resource for academics, university administrators, and student groups interested in launching similar scholarship campaigns at their own institutions. For anyone looking to understand how targeted advocacy can create lasting institutional change in higher education, the work of the Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign provides a clear, practical example. Based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the campaign continues to demonstrate how committed groups can make a meaningful difference for displaced scholars worldwide.