The RefugEAP team is a pioneering collaboration between the Universities of Leicester and Leeds, partner charities, volunteer tutors and refugee-background students, united by a shared commitment to widening access to higher education across the UK. Established in 2022, the team created the first free, online, trauma-informed English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme specifically designed for refugee-background students.
Recognising that many students face significant barriers to university admission, including meeting academic English requirements, navigating unfamiliar educational systems and overcoming challenges related to displacement, trauma, poverty and social isolation, the team developed an innovative programme that combines high quality academic preparation with compassionate, flexible support.
At the heart of RefugEAP is a strong culture of collaboration. Drawing together expertise in academic language teaching, trauma-informed practice, refugee support, programme management and student welfare, the team works across institutional and sectoral boundaries to create inclusive learning opportunities. Their extended network includes around 30 volunteer tutors and key partners such as Breaking Barriers, Screen Share UK, Password English Language Testing and Good Things Foundation, who help provide vital wraparound support, including casework services, digital access, language testing and connectivity.
Since launching, RefugEAP has supported more than 160 students across five cohorts, helping learners develop the academic language, confidence and skills needed to progress towards university study. The team has also successfully challenged traditional higher education systems by securing access for students to university platforms, resources, libraries and support services that would otherwise be unavailable to many non-traditional learners.
Beyond its direct impact on students, RefugEAP has fostered a thriving community of practice among tutors, influenced teaching approaches across the sector and contributed to national conversations around social justice, inclusion and refugee education. Through research, publications, conferences and sector partnerships, the team continues to share its innovative model and inspire similar initiatives across the UK.
Guided by compassion, social justice and a belief in education as a transformative force, the RefugEAP team is making a lasting difference to the lives of refugee-background students while demonstrating the power of collaboration to overcome barriers and create meaningful change.
Advance HE recognises there are different views and approaches to teaching and learning, as such we encourage sharing of practice, without advocating or prescribing specific approaches. NTF and CATE awards recognise teaching excellence in a particular context. The profiles featured are self-submitted by award winners.
