Care leavers and care experienced students

• Accommodation is available on a 52-week basis for the duration of your course. With social events throughout each holiday period should you wish to join.
• A complimentary UniKitOut essentials starter pack ready for when you move into our halls of residence this includes bedding, saucepans, and other useful products.
• Advice and guidance are available from university accommodation mentors. All our student mentors are fully trained and available to help you from the moment you know you’re coming to Birmingham, to when you move in and throughout your time with us.
• A rent contribution of £275 payable in semester 1. £200 cash payment in semester 2 (subject to satisfactory attendance)

Please note: we only accommodate students aged 18+ in our accommodation.

• If you’re looking to get a job whilst studying, you are guaranteed to receive an interview for the role of Student Ambassador within Student Outreach. This offers you regular paid work throughout the year which you can fit around your studies. 
• New UK students starting a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible to receive financial support worth up to £800 in each year of study which does not need to be paid back. Funds are provided as a credit which can be spent on the Kick-Start website to purchase course-related materials and range of products to support your studies. Some of your funds can also be used on campus at our cafeterias and selected other outlets Some students may also qualify for an electronic tablet or laptop via the scheme to help access their studies and support learning.
• You can access pre-arrival budgeting advice and assistance with the Student Finance application process.

If you are a Care Leaver coming to study a college course (level 3 or below) with us, you may be eligible to receive:

• Help towards your uniform and equipment costs.
• An NXBus West Midlands travel pass
• Free meals in college

• As a care leaver, you are eligible for a contextual offer which is an entry that normally offers one grade lower than the typical entry requirements as shown on our course pages or in our prospectus but can differ depending on the course you would like to study. If you have further questions, please contact our Admissions team by calling 0121 604 1040 or via email admissions@ucb.ac.uk.

• We have a single point of contact for care-experienced people, care leavers and their advisers (applying no strict definition on what we mean by care experienced or care leaver). This point of contact is our Safeguarding Manager (Designated Safeguarding Lead) Natalie Stanley (n.stanley@ucb.ac.uk) who will be able to support anyone with queries relating to accessing higher education. You can also contact Natalie to arrange a tour around our campus and to meet relevant support staff to understand more about what support is available to you prior to starting with us.

• Student Assistance Programme - this is a free confidential service, which provides mental health support, plus advice about personal or academic problems that could be affecting your home life, health or general wellbeing. It also includes unlimited access to a 24/7 confidential counselling helpline which includes the option of counselling sessions from trained counsellors over the phone. To speak to a BACP-accredited counsellor at any time of day or night, just call 0800 028 3766.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Team - Provide counselling, mental health, and wellbeing advice. They offer booked’ appointments for students, and as a care leaver, you will be given priority. To book an appointment for mental health and wellbeing support, you will need to complete the online registration form and share your care leaver/experienced status. This can be accessed via the Student Portal. Once the team receive the application, you will be contacted via email with a date and time for an assessment (based on the availability you state on their application form). As a care leaver/care experienced young person, you can also arrange a meeting (to include your personal adviser should you wish) with the wellbeing team to discuss your needs, progress and how the team can support you holistically.
• You can have regular contact with the Safeguarding Team, should you wish, who can provide practical and emotional support as well as signposting if you are experiencing personal problems, particularly when these might interfere with your academic work.
• You can access impartial careers advice and guidance that is tailored to you through HIRED, our employability and placements service for students and alumni at University College Birmingham. We are here to support you from the start of your journey and for five years after you graduate. In addition to the employability skills developed within each course, we provide a wide range of support to help you:
  • Organise your work, volunteering and placement experiences.
  • Develop your careers options.
  • Understand how to be successful during an interview.
  • Apply for further academic courses.
• The Student Engagement Team can offer you a mentor during your time at University College Birmingham

• Propel is a website designed to provide support and information to care leavers who want to enter Higher Education.
• Access Estranged and Care Experienced Students (EaCES) Handbook. A virtual guide written by estranged and care experienced students to bring together information and advice to help other students from the same background.
• Check your Pathway Plan with your Leaving Care Worker. Some local authorities provide a one-off £2,000 Higher Education Bursary to care leavers who started their course before their 25th birthday and does not need to be repaid.
• You can now search for support offered by individual local authorities at Care Leaver Local Offer.
• Coram Voice will help you get your voice heard, tell you about your rights, and give you support such as access to a social worker.
• The Rees Foundation are a lifelong support network that offers help and advice to care experienced individuals about any concern. They also run several projects to celebrate any personal and professional achievements.
• For more information on applying for student finance as an independent student, please visit their website.