University College London - UCL Care Leavers Bursary

UCL Care Leaver Bursary

You will receive £1,000 per year (about 1,150 EUR) for the entire duration of your Bachelor’s degree at University College London (UCL). This money is intended to cover your living costs. It is automatically renewed for each year in which you are enrolled, provided your income remains below 25. In your first year, you can also apply for an advance payment of £200 (approximately 230 EUR) to cover the costs of moving in. UCL awards this grant to students who have spent time in care homes.

Who can apply

• University: You have been offered a place on a full-time Bachelor’s degree programme at UCL, or you are already studying there.
• Field of study: All full-time degree programmes at Bachelor’s level are eligible for funding.
• Where you live: You have ‘home fee’ status in the UK, which means you pay the lower UK tuition fee rate rather than the rate for international students.
• Age: On the day the course starts, you will be at 25.
• Time in care: Your local authority has looked after you or provided you with accommodation for at least 13 weeks (around three months). This includes placement with a foster family.
• When care ended: Your time in care ended on or after your 16 birthday and before the first day of the school year. Furthermore, you did not move back in with your parents before starting your degree.

How to apply

There is neither a separate scholarship application form nor an application deadline. First, apply for a place on a Bachelor’s degree programme at UCL. You should then apply for student finance from your regional funding agency (e.g. Student Finance England). Send this agency a letter from your local authority or social worker confirming that you are in care. UCL will be automatically informed of your status and will assess your application without you needing to take any further action.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is not awarded on a competitive basis. There is no set number of scholarship recipients, so anyone who meets the criteria and is enrolled at UCL will receive it. The only real hurdle is the eligibility criteria themselves, as you must provide evidence of a care background and ‘home fee’ status. If this applies to you and you have the confirmation letter, you are almost certain to receive the scholarship.