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UCL is committed to supporting young people in care and those who have left a care environment. We encourage students to apply to study at UCL and access the support available.
If a local authority has looked after you for three months (not consecutively), you are considered care-experienced. UCL understands that young people in care face unique challenges when applying to and entering higher education. There is a range of support and guidance available for care-experienced students at UCL.
If you are applying to UCL as an undergraduate, explore our widening participation activities. Visit the Experience UCL page to learn more about our special on-campus events for care-experienced young people.
Access UCL (Contextual Offers)
You can qualify for Access UCL, a contextual offer scheme. If you are care-experienced, mark the 'time in care' box on your UCAS form to be eligible for the Access UCL scheme which allows the admissions team to follow up with you. This may offer lower entry requirements.
Care-experienced applicants can apply for Access UCL, regardless of whether they attended a UK state or independent school.
Personal Support
UCL Student Success
UCL Student Success has a dedicated team who act as the key contact for undergraduate care experienced and estranged students.
The team is happy to be contacted by email from offer holder stage onwards if you have any questions about life at UCL. They also run regular meetups for care experienced and estranged students on campus.
Personal Tutors
When you arrive at UCL, your department will assign you to a Personal Tutor. Their main role is to advise you on academic matters, but you can also discuss non-academic matters with them in confidence.
Student Advisors
Based in your department, Student Advisers are available to support you in your first year (and second year - please check their webpage) as you transition to university life.
Student Support and Wellbeing Services
If you would like support with your mental health, disability or wellbeing, please book an appointment with an adviser via askUCL.
Family Action Mentoring
The mentoring programme Family Action: Friendship Works is available to all UCL undergraduate UK care experienced students. For more information, please email the Student Success Office.
Transition Mentor Programme
All first year undergraduate students are assigned a second or third year mentor from their department as part of the Transition Mentor Programme. They can assist you with social, academic and personal issues relating to university life.
Careers Extra
Estranged students are eligible to join Careers Extra, which is a programme of enhanced careers support for undergraduates from underrepresented groups.
Financial Support
Support from Local Authority
Local councils often provide financial support to university students who were once in their care. Types of support could include an additional bursary or payment for accommodation.
To apply for support, you could contact your personal adviser, social worker or caseworker. You can also check your local authority website for details of support they may have for care experienced students.
Student Finance
In the UK, undergraduates seeking loans from Student Finance usually must reveal their parents' income to get the full maintenance loan. But if you're care experienced, Student Finance doesn't need your parents' income details to assess your support.
Once Student Finance confirms your 'care experienced' status, you'll be eligible for the maximum maintenance loan for your entire course.
UCL Undergraduate Bursary
UK undergraduate students who are assessed as care experienced students by Student Finance (see above) will be automatically assessed as being eligible for the maximum UCL Undergraduate Bursary. This service is available to undergraduate students.
Care Leaver Bursary
UK undergraduate students who are assessed as care experienced students by Student Finance (see above) are eligible for the UCL Care Leaver Bursary of £1,000 for each year of study. This service is available to undergraduate students.
Financial Assistance Fund
Students in financial need may be able to access the Financial Assistance Fund. This is discretionary assistance for current UCL students who find themselves in unexpected financial difficulty. This service is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Access Opportunity Scholarship
The Access Opportunity Scholarship is available to students who, due to their immigration status, are unable to access student loans via Student Finance.
Accommodation
UCL will provide 365-day accommodation for estranged students in their first year and, if needed, 365-day accommodation for subsequent years of study.
If you need 365-day accommodation and/or accommodation beyond your first year at UCL, please contact the UCL Accommodation team. You can do so via askUCL or by email.
Rent Guarantor Scheme
If you are looking to rent privately, but struggling to find someone to act as a rent guarantor, the Rent Guarantor Scheme run by the Accommodation team may be able to support you.
Unite Foundation Scholarship
The Unite Foundation Scholarship provides care experienced and estranged students with free accommodation for up to three years of study.
Further Information and Support
- This guide has been created by a care experienced current UCL student in collaboration with the Student Success Office.
- Buttle UK is a charitable organisation providing grant aid to vulnerable young people to provide the best possible opportunity in meeting their educational needs.
- EaCES is a peer platform by and for estranged and care experienced students. Their handbook is a virtual guide bringing together information and advice for students throughout their university life, covering topics such as accommodation, careers advice, navigating holidays and festive periods, and healthy relationships
- All of US is an online community for estranged and care experienced students. They also share meetups and events happening around the UK.
- Become is a charity that provides support for young people in care and care experienced students.
- Brandon Centre provides free and confidential counselling and psychotherapy services for young people aged 16-24, including care leavers in Camden and Islington boroughs. You can refer yourself or be referred by someone else, such as your GP.