Students from care
Advice, information and support for students from a care background.
If you're a student with caring responsibilities, click the link below:
Students with caring responsibilities
Before you arrive
For advice on coming to the University, you can contact us on access@sheffield.ac.uk.
University support
We can offer you dedicated support if:
- you've been looked after by someone other than your parents
- you were previously considered to be a care leaver by your local authority
If you're a self-identifying care leaver or care experienced student, you can receive support from the Student Experience Diversity and Inclusion (SEDI) team, including:
- a care leavers’ non-repayable bursary
- help to access financial assistance and support
- a guaranteed place in University accommodation
- a named point of contact who can offer individual and tailored support throughout your course
- transition and welcome events
- access to activities and events exclusive to this student community
- support drop ins
You can get in touch with the Student Experience Diversity & Inclusion team (SEDI) once you’re a registered student.
For pre-entry queries, contact: access@sheffield.ac.uk
Financial support
As a care leaver, you may be eligible to apply for a range of financial schemes to assist you during your studies.
Here are the financial options available to you:
University bursary for care leaversAccommodation scholarships for care leavers
For more information, contact the Student Funding Team.
Definitions
We use the terms care leaver and care experienced, and we define them in the following ways:
Care leaver
This includes individuals who are under 25 and:
- have been looked after by a local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14; and
- were looked after by the local authority at school-leaving age or after that date.
Care experienced
This includes individuals who have been, or are currently, in care. This care may have been provided in many different settings, including:
- living with foster carers
- living in a residential children's home
- being looked after at home under a supervision order
- living with friends or relatives in kinship care
The length of time in care is not taken into account in this definition.