Royal Holloway, University of London - Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

You get £3,000 per year (about 3,500 EUR) for the full length of your degree at Royal Holloway, University of London. If you study an accelerated degree (a programme squeezed into fewer years), you get 20% more, so £3,600 per year (about 4,200 EUR). You also get a guaranteed room in University accommodation on campus for your first year. Royal Holloway gives this award to students who grew up in care or are cut off from their families.

Who can apply

• Your situation: You spent at least 13 weeks in state care since the age of 14, or you have 'independent - other' status with Student Finance England because you are estranged from your family.
• Age: You are between 18 and 25 when your course starts.
• Where you are from: You come from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Course: You are starting a full-time undergraduate degree in September 2026.
• Fees: You pay the full tuition fees of £9,790 in 2026/27.
• Field of study: Any subject.

How to apply

There is no separate form. Royal Holloway checks your eligibility automatically once you make a means-tested student finance application and let the Student Loans Company share your household income with the University. If you think you qualify, email the Bursary and Scholarship team, as strict rules apply and you may need to send supporting documents.

How realistic are your chances?

This bursary is not competitive. It is tied to clear conditions, so everyone who meets them and files the right paperwork gets it. If you grew up in care or are estranged from your family, are aged 18 to 25, and start at Royal Holloway in 2026, your prospects are good. The one thing you must do is complete the means-tested student finance application and consent to share your income details, or the University cannot assess you.