Care leavers support

If you are a care leaver thinking about coming to University, or are already studying here at the University, the Wellbeing Team can offer you support and guidance on any welfare concerns you may have.  The service is completely confidential and aims to be flexible and responsive to your needs. 

If you are a care leaver in undergraduate study, you are eligible to access the £2,000 bursary that the University offers.  To receive the bursary, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be a UK or EU student on a full time or sandwich course and are paying the full fee either yourself of by a sponsor (e.g. NHS courses).
• You must have been in care for a minimum period of 13 weeks spanning your 16^th birthday.
• You must be aged 25 or under at the time of enrolment with the University.
• Your care leavers’ bursary will be dependent on you being eligible for statutory funding or an NHS bursary.
• You must be in receipt of the full Maintenance/Special Support grant in the current academic year.

The University will pay the bursary in instalments, typically, £500 in the first year, £750 in the second year and £750 in the final year.

Further support through the University

Eligible care leaver students are entitled to additional financial support of £1,000 through the Access to Learning fund which is non-repayable.  Students must be:

• Studying on an undergraduate course.
• Under 25 years old.

The payment is awarded in three instalments; £500 in the first year and £250 in the second and final years.

For further information about this, please contact the Student Finance Office. 

Local authority support

Care leavers who are under 25 and are following a programme of undergraduate study are eligible for a grant of £2,000 from their local authority.  In addition, local authorities may make a contribution to postgraduate study. 

Care leaver students should contact their local authority for further details.