LJMU supports Hong Kong Community with Progression to HE Opportunities

LJMU’s Outreach Team has continued their work with the Hong Kong community based in Warrington.

The team held an event this week to support the community and share access to Higher Educations options, within the region. 

The event coordinated with the Cheshire Halton and Warrington Race and Equality Centre saw the LJMU Outreach Team advising many members of the Hong Kong community who have settled in Warrington as part of the British Nationals (Overseas) Visa Scheme. 

British Nationals Overseas Visa Scheme

The scheme was started two years ago by the UK Government and allows BNO passport holders and their dependents to live and work in the UK for up to five years, providing a pathway towards permanent residency and citizenship. Since then, over 2,000 people from Hong Kong have moved to Warrington.

Support from LJMU

Over the past two years, university staff have been volunteering to assist with conversational language sessions with the Hong Kong community. It was recognised that a formal event to offer advice and support to individuals within the community, on the UK higher education system, would be beneficial to those unfamiliar with how to access university in the UK. 

Similar to community engagements piloted in Liverpool 8, support from the Outreach Team included how to apply to university, UCAS processes, entry requirements, student fees and funding and information on the range of courses at LJMU. 

Lionel Lee from the local Hong Kong community and the Cheshire Halton & Warrington Race and Equality Centre, said: “The event has been extremely popular. It just shows what a great opportunity it is for LJMU to support a local community that is keen to embrace the opportunities that Higher Education and LJMU offer.” 

Dave Leigh, LJMU Outreach Account Manager, said: "This community engagement is part of a broader outreach strategy from LJMU, which has recently seen increased support for community groups, in addition to existing support for schools and colleges in the region.  We are always looking at ways we can further assist communities and continue to widen access in the Northwest and beyond.” 

LJMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Power, said: “Here at LJMU we encourage the progression to higher education for anyone who wants to access it, regardless of background or social status.

"This work from the LJMU Outreach Team highlights the university’s core values of being an inclusive civic university with a commitment to widen access across the North West region.”

For more information about the initiative, to get involved in the Warrington Community Outreach Programme or for more information, contact the LJMU Outreach Team.