Skip to:

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to accessibility
City, University of London
  • Student Hub
  • Staff Hub
Search
Menu
Home
  • Prospective students
    • Courses
      • Undergraduate degrees
      • Apprenticeships
      • Foundation courses
      • Postgraduate taught degrees
      • Postgraduate research degrees
      • Short courses
      • Professional development courses
      • City Health courses
    • Apply
      • Entry requirements
      • How to apply
        • Undergraduate
        • Apprenticeship
        • Information for teachers
        • Postgraduate taught
        • Postgraduate research
          • Preparing your application
            • Preparing your research proposal
          • All PhD research projects
        • Booking Short Courses
          • Business and Management Short Courses
          • Computing Short Courses
          • Creative Industry Short Courses
          • Creative Writing Short Courses
            • The Novel Studio published alumni
          • Law Short Courses
          • Languages Courses Online | Languages Courses in London
      • Prospectus
        • Undergraduate
        • Postgraduate
      • Visas
        • Student visas
          • Applying from outside the UK
          • Applying from within the UK
          • Applying for a dependant visa
          • Preparing your application
          • Working in the UK
        • Standard Visitor visas
          • How to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa
          • Non-visa nationals
        • ATAS certificates
        • Brexit and European nationals
      • Study abroad programmes
        • Study abroad programme
        • Partnership programme
      • Clearing
        • Applying through Clearing
      • Alternative entry routes
        • Foundation programmes
        • Second-year students
        • Work experience
      • Contact Admissions
    • Finance
      • Funding options
      • Earn while you learn
      • How to pay
        • Payment methods
        • Fee schedules
        • Deposit refunds
      • Additional expenses
    • Accommodation and housing
      • Compare residential halls
      • Applying for halls
        • Undergraduate
        • Postgraduate
        • Clearing
      • Paying for halls
      • Private accommodation
        • Finding a place to live
        • Accommodation for families
      • Short-term accommodation
    • Open events and fairs
      • Campus tours
      • Online chats
        • Undergraduate online events
        • Postgraduate online events
        • Ask a student
      • University fairs
    • Student life
      • London experience
      • Local area
      • Sports
        • Sport clubs
        • Non-competitive sport
        • Competitive sport
      • Social activities and groups
      • Religion
      • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus
      • Volunteering
      • Student wellbeing
        • Your health and wellbeing
        • Learning support
        • Young, estranged students
        • Care leavers
        • Young adult carers
        • Personal tutoring programme
      • Learn another language
    • Career development
      • Placements, internships and employment opportunities
        • Micro-placements
      • Career pathways
      • Job prospects and graduate destinations
      • Careers team
    • Subjects
  • Research
    • Research centres and groups
    • Research impact
      • Research Excellence Framework
      • Research case studies
    • Research strategy
    • Research support
      • Grants and funding
      • Integrity and ethics
        • Research ethics
          • Principles
          • Approval process
          • Approval outcomes and appeals
          • External ethics approvals
        • Ethics guidance and resources
          • Participant information and consent
          • Recruiting participants from City
          • Records management
          • Research conducted abroad
          • FAQ
        • Research integrity
          • Framework for good practice in research
          • Research misconduct
      • Research data
        • Managing active research data
        • Digital research data and Figshare
      • Researcher development
      • Presidential Fellowships job advert
    • City Doctoral College
      • Current Doctoral Researchers
      • Doctoral Training Resources
        • Doctoral Researcher Development Programme (DRDP)
      • Scholarships and Funding
      • For Research Supervisors
      • Meet the Team
  • For businesses
    • Start your business
      • Develop your startup idea
        • One-to-one startup advice
        • The Good Entrepreneur Festival
        • Startup Camp
        • Startup Seminars
        • Side Hustle
        • CitySpark Workshops
      • Launch your startup
        • Start-up visa
        • Launch Lab
    • Grow your business
      • Fund your business
        • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
      • Hire an academic consultant
      • Purchase our intellectual property
      • Companies formed
    • Develop your people
      • Bespoke training
      • My Home Life England
      • Degree apprenticeships for business
        • What is the apprenticeship levy?
    • Business impact case studies
    • Access our student talent
      • Recruit with us
      • Meet and support our students
        • Become a mentor
        • Employer engagement events
        • Micro-Placements
        • Industry Led Projects
      • Information for placement partners
        • Speech and Language Therapy training
  • Alumni and supporters
    • Alumni benefits
    • Alumni Events
    • Global alumni network
      • Networks and Groups
        • City Alumni LinkedIn groups
        • MENA Alumni Board
        • US Alumni Board
      • Alumni Ambassadors
      • Special Interest Groups
      • Alumni News and stories
    • Contact us
    • Support City
      • Donate to City
      • Volunteering
      • Your impact
  • News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Social media directory
      • City social accounts
        • WeChat social accounts
      • School and Departmental accounts
  • About us
    • Schools and Departments
      • School of Policy & Global Affairs
        • About the School
          • Athena Swan
        • Department of Economics
        • Department of International Politics
        • Department of Sociology and Criminology
          • Postgraduate Sociology at City
      • School of Communication & Creativity
        • About the School
          • Athena Swan
          • Creatives in Residence
        • Department of Journalism
          • James Cameron Memorial Lecture
            • Lectures
            • Special awards
            • Winners
        • Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries
          • English, Publishing and Creative Writing
          • Culture and the Creative Industries
          • Library and Information Science
          • Media and Communications
        • Department of Performing Arts
        • The Centre for Language Studies
      • Bayes Business School
      • School of Health & Psychological Sciences
        • About the School
          • Athena SWAN
          • Selection Process
          • Occupational Health Checks
          • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check (formerly CRB)
          • MSc Nursing - RPL
          • Reference request
        • Department of Health Services Research and Management
          • Health Services Management at City
        • Department of Language and Communication Science
        • Department of Midwifery and Radiography
          • Radiography undergraduate learning contract
          • Postgraduate Midwifery at City
          • Radiography at City
        • Department of Nursing
        • Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences
        • Department of Psychology
      • School of Science & Technology
        • About the School
          • Athena Swan
          • Aviation Management at City
          • Civil Engineering at City
          • Computer Science at City
          • Cyber Security MSc courses at City
          • Energy MSc courses at City
          • Library and Information Science at City
          • Maritime Management at City
          • Placements and internships
            • Placement and internship schemes
        • Department of Computer Science
        • Department of Mathematics
          • Potential PhD projects
        • Department of Engineering
      • The City Law School
        • Academic programmes
          • Undergraduate degree LLB
          • Graduate Entry Law GE LLB
          • Graduate Diploma in Law GDL
          • Master of Laws (LLM)
        • Professional programmes
        • Research and Scholarship
        • Athena Swan in The City Law School
        • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at The City Law School
        • Barrister training
          • Bar Training
          • Pupillage Advice Service
        • Solicitor training
          • Future Solicitor Advisory Service (FSAS)
          • The Solicitors' Qualifying Exam (SQE)
        • Law in real life (Law IRL)
          • Legal work placements
          • Court visits
          • Mock Trials
        • About The School
          • Prizes from The City Law School
          • Global Engagement
      • Dubai Centre
    • History
    • People
      • Academics
      • Research students
      • Students
      • Honorary graduates
      • Past students
      • Professional Services staff
      • International agents and representatives
      • Senior people
      • Extraordinary women
    • Facilities
      • Campuses
      • Libraries
      • Gym
      • University of London facilities
      • Specialist facilities
    • Work for us
      • Apply
      • Benefits
      • Career development
    • Vision and Strategy
      • Academic excellence
        • Rankings
        • Education
          • Flexible learning spaces
          • Active and collaborative learning
          • Term dates
        • Student statistics
      • Equality, diversity and inclusion
        • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
        • Data and objectives
        • Staff networks
        • Digital Accessibility
      • Sustainable development
        • Get involved
        • Environmental Impact and Performance
      • Civic engagement
      • Social responsibility
        • Social responsibility in our outreach
        • Social responsibility in action
    • Governance and legal
      • Charter and Statutes
      • Rector
      • Council
        • Audit and Risk Committee
        • Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee
        • Remuneration Committee
        • Strategy and Finance Committee
        • Development Committee
      • Senate
        • Board of Studies
        • Collaborative Provision Committee
        • Educational Quality Committee
        • Research and Enterprise Committee
        • Senate Research Ethics Committee
      • Executive leadership
      • Financial statements
        • Financial Summary
      • Legal documents and policies
      • Committees
    • Global City
    • Contact us and find us
      • Find us
      • Contact us
      • Staff directory
    • Guidance on Coronavirus
      • Admissions advice during coronavirus
        • Coronavirus accommodation information
      • Latest updates
      • Advice for visitors to our campus
  • Student Hub
  • Staff Hub
  • Prospective students
    Prospective students
    • Courses
      • Undergraduate degrees
      • Apprenticeships
      • Foundation courses
      • Postgraduate taught degrees
      • Postgraduate research degrees
      • Short courses
      • Professional development courses
      • City Health courses
    • Apply
      • Entry requirements
      • How to apply
      • Prospectus
      • Visas
      • Study abroad programmes
      • Clearing
      • Alternative entry routes
      • Contact Admissions
    • Finance
      • Funding options
      • Earn while you learn
      • How to pay
      • Additional expenses
    • Accommodation and housing
      • Compare residential halls
      • Applying for halls
      • Paying for halls
      • Private accommodation
      • Short-term accommodation
    • Open events and fairs
      • Campus tours
      • Online chats
      • University fairs
    • Student life
      • London experience
      • Local area
      • Sports
      • Social activities and groups
      • Religion
      • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus
      • Volunteering
      • Student wellbeing
      • Learn another language
    • Career development
      • Placements, internships and employment opportunities
      • Career pathways
      • Job prospects and graduate destinations
      • Careers team
    • Subjects
  • Research
    Research
    • Research centres and groups
    • Research impact
      • Research Excellence Framework
      • Research case studies
    • Research strategy
    • Research support
      • Grants and funding
      • Integrity and ethics
      • Research data
      • Researcher development
      • Presidential Fellowships job advert
    • City Doctoral College
      • Current Doctoral Researchers
      • Doctoral Training Resources
      • Scholarships and Funding
      • For Research Supervisors
      • Meet the Team
  • For businesses
    For businesses
    • Start your business
      • Develop your startup idea
      • Launch your startup
    • Grow your business
      • Fund your business
      • Hire an academic consultant
      • Purchase our intellectual property
      • Companies formed
    • Develop your people
      • Bespoke training
      • My Home Life England
      • Degree apprenticeships for business
    • Business impact case studies
    • Access our student talent
      • Recruit with us
      • Meet and support our students
      • Information for placement partners
  • Alumni and supporters
    Alumni and supporters
    • Alumni benefits
    • Alumni Events
    • Global alumni network
      • Networks and Groups
      • Alumni Ambassadors
      • Special Interest Groups
      • Alumni News and stories
    • Contact us
    • Support City
      • Donate to City
      • Volunteering
      • Your impact
  • News and events
    News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Social media directory
      • City social accounts
      • School and Departmental accounts
  • About us
    About us
    • Schools and Departments
      • School of Policy & Global Affairs
      • School of Communication & Creativity
      • Bayes Business School
      • School of Health & Psychological Sciences
      • School of Science & Technology
      • The City Law School
      • Dubai Centre
    • History
    • People
      • Academics
      • Research students
      • Students
      • Honorary graduates
      • Past students
      • Professional Services staff
      • International agents and representatives
      • Senior people
      • Extraordinary women
    • Facilities
      • Campuses
      • Libraries
      • Gym
      • University of London facilities
      • Specialist facilities
    • Work for us
      • Apply
      • Benefits
      • Career development
    • Vision and Strategy
      • Academic excellence
      • Equality, diversity and inclusion
      • Sustainable development
      • Civic engagement
      • Social responsibility
    • Governance and legal
      • Charter and Statutes
      • Rector
      • Council
      • Senate
      • Executive leadership
      • Financial statements
      • Legal documents and policies
      • Committees
    • Global City
    • Contact us and find us
      • Find us
      • Contact us
      • Staff directory
    • Guidance on Coronavirus
      • Admissions advice during coronavirus
      • Latest updates
      • Advice for visitors to our campus
  1. Home
  2. …
  3. Research impact
  4. Research case studies
  5. Making integration easier for Syrian refugees
Research impact
  • Research Excellence Framework
  • Research case studies
Refugees swim to shore against the backdrop of a chain wire fence
Research case study

Making integration easier for Syrian refugees

Research from City, University of London influenced the British Government to change its policy around refugee status

The researchers:

  • Dr Christopher McDowell (Principal Investigator)

Research status:Completed

This is Impact: Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) 2 minutes

In summary

Five million people have been forced to flee their homes because of the Syrian civil war. Many of them are vulnerable. The British Government responded by launching a resettlement programme for refugees.

Dr Christopher McDowell of City, University of London was asked to investigate how effective the programme was. The United Nations published this research in a report showing its strengths and weaknesses. And the findings influenced the Home Office to change the law.

Did you know?

Graphic: UK map silhouette

20,000 refugees to be resettled in the UK through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme by 2020.

Source: UK government resettlement schemes

What did we explore and how?

The Government launched the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme (VPRS) in 2014. Their goal is to resettle 20,000 of the most vulnerable refugees in Britain by 2020. “Vulnerable” refugees include those who have a physical or mental health condition that is linked to the conflict and can’t be treated adequately in the refugee’s first country of asylum.

Dr McDowell was asked by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration to find out how effective the Government's programme really was. He interviewed 160 resettled refugees and senior staff from eleven local authorities and the Home Office from August 2016 to January 2017.

The UNHCR published the research in a report called Towards Integration.

It shows the strengths and flaws of the VPRS, and highlights risks for particular groups of refugees.

Young men aged between 16 and 23, for example, missed out on crucial years of education in Syria and their first country of asylum. They are unlikely to have the skills to secure employment in the UK because of this.

– Dr McDowell
The challenge of refugee protection 5 minutes

Benefits and influence of this research

When Syrian refugees were resettled in the UK, they were given temporary ‘leave to remain’ status. This lets them stay for up to five years. Many Syrians feared this would make integrating difficult. They couldn’t plan for their long-term future if it seemed like they wouldn't be able to stay in Britain permanently.

Dr McDowell advised the Home Office to grant resettled Syrians full refugee status. This would lead to British citizenship. The Home Office responded positively to this recommendation. In May 2017 the Home Secretary announced those who entered the UK under the VPRS would be granted full refugee status from July 2017.

They also said refugees who resettled in the UK before this date could ask to have their humanitarian protection status changed to refugee status.

Syrian refugees can make plans for their future with peace of mind thanks to the change in policy. They can consider education and employment opportunities and have a legal right to healthcare in the UK. It will make integrating with the British way of life much easier. Not just for Syrians, but for anyone resettled under other programmes past and present.

Share this case study

Details of this research

  • Dr Christopher McDowell (Principal Investigator)
  • Research status: Completed

    Topic: asylum seekers, immigration, refugees

    Industry/sector: Migration

    Project partners/stakeholders:

    School of Policy & Global Affairs

    Department of International Politics

    United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

    International Organisation for Migration

    What's happening

    • News

      Wall Street sign with American flag in background

      Wednesday, 31st May 2023

      US banking failures: the role of big auditors in another financial crisis

      Professor Atul Shah writes for The Conversation about the auditing failures that have undermined US banking performance.

    • News

      Timor-Leste

      Wednesday, 31st May 2023

      Timor-Leste election offers an extraordinary lesson in how to build a stable democracy

      Dr Geoffrey Swenson writes for The Conversation about how Timor-Leste's recent elections can provide a shining example to other developing countries in how to build a strong democracy.

    Related case studies

    • Illustration of child head silhouette

      Giving vulnerable children a voice in the criminal justice system

      Research case study

      Research into how registered intermediaries (RIs) support vulnerable child witnesses in the criminal justice system and help them share useful evidence with police.

    • Women protesting

      Fighting the normalisation of crimes against humanity

      Research case study

      Migrants and asylum seekers risk facing terrible conditions and abuse in Western countries.

    Help us to improve this page

    City, University of London

    The University of business, practice and the professions

    • Library Services
    • Moodle
    • Email
    • Staff directory
    • Term dates
    • Book a room
    • Schools and departments

    Back to top

    Contact us

    Make an enquiry

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • TikTok
    • Weibo
    • Youku
    • WeChat
    Social media directory

    Find us

    City, University of London
    Northampton Square
    London EC1V 0HB
    United Kingdom

    Campus map

    Our global campuses

    • London
    • Dubai

    Awards and accreditations

    • Athena SWAN: Bronze Award
    • Stonewall: LGBTQ+ Inclusive employer - Silver Award 2023 logo
    • UKRI Research England logo

    Useful links

    • Accessibility
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies
    • City Store
    • Support City
    • Work for City
    • City Magazine
    • 中文

    © 2023 City, University of London

    University of London