EAP for Students in Crisis

Mosaik and PALEAP are working together to match online English pre-sessional seats at UK universities to students in crisis.

English learning blocked. A future on hold

Conflict-affected students from Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan have the academic potential to continue their studies.

What stands between them and progress is the gaining or evidencing the right English language level. A seat on your online pre-sessional can remove this barrier.

We are asking UK universities to offer one or more places on their online pre-sessional programmes to conflict-affected students from Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan for Summer 2026.

How the Mosaik x PALEAP scheme works

This year Mosaik and PALEAP are collaborating to bring the UK higher education sector a single, coordinated request, and managing student matching, and allocation on your institution’s behalf via the Global Response Platform.

The Students

We are coordinating places for students from Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.

submit your places

Universities complete the sign-up form. Tell us how many seats you can offer and which student cohorts you are able to support.

Recruitment and selection

Through the Global Response Platform, Mosaik and PALEAP support universities with student identification, selection.

Enrolment

Students join your online pre-sessional alongside your wider cohort.

Get Involved

Offer a place

Complete the university sign-up to form to offer one or more places on your online pre-sessional for Summer 2026.

Timeline

May-June 2026

University sign-up is open. Complete the university sign-up to offer a seat on your online pre-sessional.

June - July 2026

Mosaik and PALEAP match students to available places. Universities are notified of their matched student(s) and receive PALEAP's practical guidance.

Summer 2026

Students enrol on online pre-sessional programmes and work towards meeting the language conditions of their offers.

Delivery and support considerations

Students may be joining from difficult or unstable circumstances. PALEAP’s experience of supporting students in conflict settings points to a small number of practical adjustments that make a significant difference. A full document on Guidance based on previous years PALEAP experience can be found here.

Downloadable materials

Internet access can be intermittent. Making content available to engage with independently protects student progress when connectivity drops.

A named point of contact

A consistent, a single point (a tutor or wellbeing lead) reduces isolation and supports sustained engagement. This is sometimes called a 'warm support' approach.

Wellbeing referral pathways

Students may be carrying significant trauma. Access to wellbeing support, and staff who know how to signpost it sensitively, is important.

Flexible assessment arrangements

Alternative plans for assessments, such as greater flexibility around exam security settings, may be needed. Keeping a record of a student's engagement and circumstances is good practice.

Confidentiality

Students choose whether to disclose their situation to peers. This is their decision, not the institution's.

Equity

All students should be treated fairly. Support should be consistent and not visibly preferential.