University of Westminster - Care Leaver Bursary

Care Leaver Bursary at the University of Westminster

If you grew up in care, you will receive the up to £1,000 (about 1,150 EUR) per academic year grant from the University of Westminster. You can reapply for this grant each academic year, so that it covers the duration of your entire undergraduate degree. The money is intended to cover your living costs and is awarded in addition to any other student financial support.

Who can apply

• Care background: You spent part of your childhood in the care of the local authority, for example with a foster family, in a children’s home or in supported accommodation.
• Proof: Your local authority can confirm your status as a former care home resident in writing.
• Where you study: You are enrolled on a Bachelor’s degree programme at the University of Westminster.
• Fee status: You are considered a UK home student, which means that, for the purposes of tuition fees, you are resident in the United Kingdom.
• Field of study: All subject areas are open.

How to apply

Apply for the grant after you have enrolled via the university’s Student Advisory Service and submit the written confirmation from your local authority. The application deadline for 2026-27 is at the end of October 2026. Not sure whether you meet the eligibility criteria? Make an appointment with the Student Advisory Service to clarify this.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is aimed exclusively at Bachelor’s degree students at Westminster University who are no longer in the care of their local authority; consequently, the pool of applicants is small and competition is limited. If you can provide confirmation from your local authority and meet the eligibility criteria regarding tuition fees, your chances are good. This is a fixed funding scheme for a specific target group, rather than a competition in which awards are based on academic grades.