Stateless People

Lord Hylton
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that stateless people and those living in internationally unrecognised entities are fully considered when applying for scholarships, other educational visits and visas to the United Kingdom. [HL3479]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin)
Stateless people living overseas and those living in internationally unrecognised entities are able to apply for visas for entry to the United Kingdom, for the purposes of study, without restriction.

The Government support a number of scholarship schemes which are available to international students coming to the UK to study. The criteria which apply vary according to the scheme. Some schemes are open to particular countries or regions of the world. For example, the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme is available to citizens of Commonwealth countries and the Marshall Scheme relates to United States citizens. Through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office the Government fund the Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship Scheme, which is open to students from around the world, but they must be nationals of a country other than the United Kingdom. Higher education institutions are also free to offer scholarships to international students and, as autonomous institutions, are responsible for determining the criteria for allocating such awards.