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Our commitment to you

We are committed to providing fair access, information, advice and guidance to prospective students who have spent time in local authority care.

Who is a care experienced student?

The University of Reading defines a care experienced student as the following:

  • a student who has spent time in local authority care
  • is registered on a full-time undergraduate course
  • is classed as a 'home' student
  • is under 25 years of age at the start of their course

What does it mean to be an estranged student?

We recognise that having no communicative relationship with either biological parents can have a significant impact on educational opportunities and outcomes.

Student Finance England classifies estranged students as:

  • a student who has “not communicated with either of your biological or adoptive parents for 12 months (this is flexible) before your course begins and the situation is irreconcilable.”
  • a student who can “show you have been financially independent for three or more years through employment or benefits (consecutively or non-consecutively) before your course begins.’’

Confidential advice and support

If you are care-experienced or estranged, you can contact Debi Linton (d.linton@reading.ac.uk) confidentially for further information about applying to university in general and the extra support that we provide to care experienced students at the University of Reading.

Looking for more specific information?

You will find more detailed information and contact details below for student financial support, accommodation, admissions, on-course support and our outreach activities.

Students in front of a big wheel

Want to attend an Open Day?

Our Open Days give you the opportunity to get a real feel for the University –  explore our campuses, chat to staff and students, and see if Reading is the right university for you.

If you let us know ahead of time, we can ensure you are able to talk to all the appropriate people on the day.

See our Open Days page for more information.

University Of Reading Standalone Pledge

The University of Reading has proudly joined the StandAlone Project, supporting students that are estranged – young people studying without the support and approval of their parents.

Stand Alone is a charity dedicated to supporting people estranged from their family or key family member.

‘Our primary objective is to break down the stigma around estrangement and support estranged people in their daily lives.’ – standalone.org.uk


The Reading Scholars Programme

If you are care experienced, you are guaranteed a place on our Reading Scholars Programme. This Reading Scholars Programme gives Year 12 students a real taste of life as a university undergraduate, providing practical support as participants begin their higher education application process. Featuring input from leading academics and current undergraduate e-mentors, the programme aims to challenge participants academically and enhance their current studies.
Visit our Reading Scholars’ page for more information, including the full eligibility criteria. 
 

Accommodation support

Initial deposits for accommodation are waived for care experienced students until the Student Loan Company processes student payments and you have the funds to make the payment.

Instead of the standard 40 week contract, we have 52-week accommodation for care experienced students. We also have a meet and greet service to help you find your accommodation and to signpost any other services that may be helpful to you.

Contact Sophia Hagalid, Accommodation Contract Officer, for further information: s.hagalid@reading.ac.uk.

THE CARE EXPERIENCED AND ESTRANGEMENT BURSARY

Care experienced and estranged students are eligible for a bursary of £1000 for each year of study.

Admissions and Applications

We offer you flexible application arrangements, such as a range of interview dates and times.

You can find entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees on our course pages. If you have taken part in the Reading Scholars scheme you may be eligible for a contextual offers of up to a two grade drop in a course’s typical offer. Find out more about contextual offers. 

Pre-entry travel bursaries are available to help you attend post-offer visit days and interviews. For any other questions regarding the admissions process, please contact Lauren Nixon, Admissions Officer (Widening Participation): l.s.nixon@reading.ac.uk.

 

Unite Foundation Scholarships

The Unite Foundation provides free en suite accommodation (no rent, no bills) in Kendrick Hall for up to three years of undergraduate study.
You can apply for this scholarship if you are: 

  • 25 or under
  • A statutory care leaver or estranged from your family
  • Starting or studying your first undergraduate degree
  • Eligible for UK home fee status

Find out more on the Unite Foundation Website.

Outreach

  • Looked-after children and care experienced student are automatically guaranteed a place in intensive outreach programmes such as the Reading Scholars Programme, which provides sustained support for Year 12 students wishing to access higher education. We host bespoke visits to campus by individuals or groups of care experienced students who wish to find out more about life and study at the University.
  • We are able to cover all costs associated with participation in intensive outreach programmes for care experienced students, and tickets can be purchased for students in advance as requested.
  • We can also match you with an undergraduate e-mentor on a secure on-line platform, who can offer support in areas such as the UCAS process, including personal statements, subject choice, student budgeting, and much more.

Please contact Debi Linton, Student Recruitment & Access Officer for further information: d.linton@reading.ac.uk.

On-course support

  • We will contact you during the first week of term to outline the support available throughout the duration of your course, including individual appointments with a named contact within our Student Support Services and Operations (SSSO) to discuss your finances if required. SSSO will also provide a gown hire for graduation on successful completion of course.
  • Our student services and careers teams support you through a personal tutoring system, resources for recording and reflecting on your personal and academic development, skills development and language courses, alongside high-quality programmes of academic study. Careers fairs, employer presentations, skills development sessions, work on effective applications, interview practice, and career guidance sessions are offered to all students, regardless of background.

For further information about Student Services please contact Sue Wallace: s.j.wallace@reading.ac.uk.

For any queries relating to careers support at the University, please contact our Careers Centre: careers@reading.ac.uk.

More Support

You will have a named contact in the Student Support Team to support you throughout your course. Our Student Services team support you through a personal tutoring system, resources for recording and reflecting on your personal and academic development, skills development and language courses, alongside high-quality programmes of academic study. 

On Graduation

We will also provide financial support towards the cost of gown hire and 1 photograph for your graduation upon successful completion of your course.

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