Other Student Groups

Although we do not directly support the following groups of students, we recognise the additional needs, support and opportunities available to them.

Forced Migrants

UCL recognises that forced migrant students can face obstacles throughout their higher educational journey and we are committed to supporting individuals from this group.

What do we mean by 'forced migrant'?

We use the term 'forced migrant' to mean one of the following:

Refugee.
Asylum seeker.
Those who have been granted a temporary form of leave as the result of an asylum or human rights application (e.g. limited leave to remain, discretionary leave to remain, humanitarian protection, UASC leave).

Financial support

Eligible students who, due to their immigration status, are unable to access support from Student Finance can apply for our Access Opportunity Scholarships. For students starting their programme in 2024/25, these scholarships consist of tuition fees and a living allowance of £12,000 per year for the normal duration of the programme at UCL.

Students with refugee status or humanitarian protection will generally be able to access Student Finance support, and therefore will not be eligible for the Access Opportunity Scholarships. However, these students may be eligible for the below support:

In addition, the UCL Financial Assistance Fund is available to support current students who find themselves in financial difficulties. Please visit the UCL Student Funding page for information on all scholarships and funding options, and the UCL Student Fees page for information on fee status categorisation. If you want further information about which fee status category you may fall under, please consult the UKCISA website.

Pastoral support

UCL's Student Support and Wellbeing team provide a safe and non-judgemental space for you to discuss any issues which may be affecting your ability to study. The team offer drop-in sessions or longer appointments, where you can speak to advisors about any personal or emotional challenges you may be experiencing; mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression; or disability concerns (e.g. dyslexia or long-term health conditions). They also have a service to support students affected by war, conflict and disaster.

Other sources of support

The below organisations also offer information and support to help forced migrant students to access higher education:

Bridging the Future is a charity that works with displaced young people, mentoring and inspiring them towards their educational and career pursuits.
Coram Children's Legal Centre offers free legal information, useful fact sheets and email advice.
Displaced Student Opportunities UK is a comprehensive source of information about accessing higher education for people who are displaced in the UK.
Refugee Education UK provides a higher education advice service, via email, WhatsApp or phone. It also has a really useful Frequently Asked Questions resource, which has lots of information and advice about topics including fee categorisation, eligibility for student finance and funding opportunities.
Student Action for Refugees has a comprehensive list of universities offering financial support to forced migrants on its website.
UCAS has a dedicated webpage with information and advice for forced migrant students, including guidance on using your experiences to enhance your personal statement.
UKCISA can help you understand more about tuition fee status as well as other issues related to immigration and education.

Young Carers

UCL recognises that having caring responsibilities can have adverse effects on life and study plans and we are committed to increasing our intake of students from this group

What do we mean by "caring responsibilities" and young carers?

UCL’s definition of a young carer is someone who whose life is adversely affected by providing substantial unpaid care for a family member that they live with and who is unable to manage without this support.

Young carers may support a family member who has a chronic illness, a physical disability, a mental health issue (e.g. depression), a cognitive impairment (e.g. dementia), an addiction (to alcohol and drugs) or any other health-related condition(s).

Caring responsibilities can vary significantly, but are likely to include helping with everyday tasks such as cooking and housework, providing physical and/or emotional care, and helping someone with their medication.

Pastoral support

At UCL, you can access dedicated support services for your health and mental wellbeing. Details of these can be found within the Student Support and Wellbeing webpages. If you have any questions or concerns about the support on offer, or would just like to speak to someone to find out more, you can also get in touch with the team via student.wellbeing@ucl.ac.uk.

If you don't feel you quite fit the definition of a young carer but have caring responsibilities, then please get in touch with the Student Support and Wellbeing team who will be happy to discuss what support they can offer.

Other sources of information and support

The Carers Trust website: up to date resources and advice on anything from legal support and knowing your rights to wellbeing and mental health support.
The Children's Society also has lots of useful information and a website specifically for young carers called Include.
Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young carers aged 13 to 18 - and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
If a young adult carer is struggling with their responsibilities they can undergo a carer’s assessment to see what might make their life easier in terms of practical help and assistance, advice, and financial assistance.
The NHS has useful guidance on the rights that a young carer has access to.
If someone in your family has a life-threatening illness, Hope Support Services can help. Visit their website for more information or watch their video. You might also be interested in watching Ben’s story.
Students Union UCL - Advice and Support for student parent and carers.

Community

Students Union UCL - Network for Mature and Part-Time Students, Parents and Carers

Commuter Students

At UCL, supporting commuter students to ensure a smooth transition to university life is important. Find below essential support and resources tailored to you.

What do we mean by commuter student?

UCL considers a commuter student to be any student who lives outside university accommodation (in a private house or with your parents/guardians) in which their commute to campus takes 45 minutes or more.

Starting university as a commuter student can be a unique and challenging experience, as you travel to campus. Find below a range of resources which will help you navigate your time at university. 

Academic Support  

Balancing academics with commuting can be challenging, but UCL offers several resources to help. 

Academic Communication Centre  

The UCL Academic Communication Centre (ACC) supports students with online resources like Moodle courses and ebooks, accessible from anywhere. They offers one-to-one tutorials and workshops on academic writing, critical reading, and oral communication. These can be scheduled to accommodate your needs.

Library Services   

Access extensive digital resources such as e-books, journals, and databases remotely using library service. LibrarySkills@UCL offers training to develop your library and information literacy skills. 

LectureCast 

All lectures are recorded and available on Moodle, so you won’t miss out due to commuting disruptions. 

Travel Support  

UCL campuses are easily accessible by public transport. For commuter students, choosing the right travel option is important.

There are plenty of travel discounts on offer for students commuting to UCL on public transport including 18+ student oyster photocards, railcards and coach cards.

For cycling enthusiasts, UCL offers ample cycle parking, including a new basement facility at UCL East. Consider joining the cycling club to connect with fellow commuters who bike to campus. 

On Campus Facilities

Study Spaces

If you need a desk to study at on campus, you can find out the availability of study spaces on campus and book a space. Many UCL libraries and study spaces have extended opening hours, with the Student Centre open 24/7.

There are quiet study spaces in the student centre to help you concentrate or if you work better in groups you can book a group study room. If you live closer to UCL East you don't need to travel to Bloomsbury, you can always book a space at UCL East. 

Locker Storage & Laptop Loans

If you are looking for a nearby locker to store heavy belongings, you can find out the locker locations around campus. You can also loan a laptop and don't need to carry it to during your long commutes.  

Quiet Contemplation Rooms/Prayer Rooms

UCL provides facilities for prayer, worship and meditation for students of all faiths and none. There are several contemplation/quiet rooms available. There are also many places of worship close to UCL. 

Food and Refreshments  

If you need to relax and socialise – there are 24 cafes/bars in Bloomsbury. Make sure to check out all the Food at UCL. The Bloomsbury Shop is a great place to grab a meal deal on campus!

Kitchen facilities are available with accessible microwaves for student use in multiple locations. Water fountains are accessible in every building. There are also vending machines scattered across to grab a snack on the go.  

The Student's Union

Union cafes provide comfortable spaces to relax between classes. Engage with campus life through the UCL Students' Union. They organise commuter-friendly events, especially during Welcome Week. Joining societies and clubs helps you connect with like-minded people and feel connected to the UCL community.

UCL Go App 

Download the UCL Go App to explore all the on campus facilities available for commuter students.

Financial support

Student Funding Advisors

Student Funding Advisors at UCL offer valuable financial guidance. They help with budgeting, funding applications, and other money matters. Their services include assistance with appeals and study plan changes. Commuter students can easily access these services through virtual appointments. This flexibility ensures that even those with limited time on campus can get the financial support they need.

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.

UCL Student Worker Opportunities

UCL offers student worker roles like Ambassadors. Check Unitemps and UCL Job Shop for exciting part-time, seasonal, and temporary positions to earn extra cash.

Student Discounts

As a university student, you're entitled to various discounts, make the most of them before your status expires. Always ask shops if they offer student discounts and show your student ID or Totum card card in-store.

For online savings, you may be required to sign up to a student discount services like UniDays, Totum or Student Beans.