Care Experienced Students

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Making the decision to study at university can be a big step for anybody and, at times, can feel overwhelming. The University of Chester want to make this transition as smooth as possible and believes that care experienced students deserve a little extra support to make their time at university as enjoyable as it can be.

With this in mind, the University have a dedicated support package for care experienced students (some of which is for undergraduates only) which includes the following:

  • Help to secure 365-day accommodation for the duration of your course
  • A 50% discount on university owned accommodation options throughout your studies
  • Easy access to financial help and guidance, including the university’s Undergraduate Bursary Scheme - T&Cs for students commencing programmes (2023-24 only) and the Student Support Fund
  • A link member of staff who can act as a link between the university, you, and your Local Authority
  • Providing help to access the various services offered by the university and key members of staff within certain departments 
  • Access to support from the Careers and Employability team alongside support to apply for the Employability Fund
  • A peer mentor to help with any pre-arrival queries that you may have
  • A link member of staff to talk to if there is any personal, financial or academic issue you have concerns about

The University defines the following as eligibility criteria for the care experienced students support package:

“A young person who has been in care for at least 3 months prior to their 18th birthday. Such care could be in foster care, residential care (mainly children’s homes), or other arrangements outside the immediate or extended family.”

Any care leaver who is wanting to study at the University of Chester is strongly advised to tick the box to identify themselves on their UCAS application. This allows the University to get in touch with students to discuss the support that can be offered to them. 

Students who are aged 25 or under on September 1st, prior to their course commencing and studying a full-time undergraduate programme, are eligible to be considered for this bursary.

If you have any questions regarding support at the University, including the bursary package, then please email studentservices@chester.ac.uk or call 01244 511550.

We also offer bespoke visits for any care experiences students who have made an application to the University of Chester or are considering Chester as a place to study. During this visit, we can discuss the support that is available to students, have a campus tour and arrange to meet with the relevant academic departments also. If you would like to arrange this visit then please get in touch by emailing studentservices@chester.ac.uk.