University of Brighton - Care Leavers Bursary

Care Leavers Bursary at the University of Brighton

You will receive £1,000 per year (about 1,150 EUR) in cash for each academic year, and you will never have to repay this amount. The money is paid out in two instalments: the first at the start of the autumn term, and the second the following May. If you are studying part-time (30 to 90 credits per year), you will receive a pro-rata amount. If you start a full-time degree in Brighton as your first choice in 2026, the ‘Brighton Boost’ package can provide additional support towards rent or travel costs in the first year, bringing the total amount in the first year up to £1,500 (approximately 1,725 EUR). The University of Brighton offers this support to students who have grown up in care.

Who can apply

• Care background: You have spent at least 13 weeks in local authority care or supported accommodation since reaching the age of 14, and were still in care on or after your 16 birthday. This also includes a special guardianship order as well as supported living, for example in a halfway house.
• Age: You are under 25.
• Where you study: You are enrolling on a full-time Bachelor’s degree programme at the University of Brighton, which begins between 2026 and 27.
• Field of study: Any topic is fine.
• First degree: You have not yet obtained a bachelor’s degree.
• Residence: You normally live in England and, before your course began, had been living in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 3 years.
• Status: You are a British national, an Irish citizen or have ‘Settled Status’ with no restrictions on your right to reside in the United Kingdom.
• Money: Your household income is £25,000 (approximately 28,750 EUR) per year or less. Student Finance England has awarded you the full tuition fee loan and the living costs loan.
• Not combinable: You cannot receive both the University of Brighton’s standard scholarship and the scholarship for students from broken homes at the same time.

How to apply

On your UCAS application, tick the box to indicate that you were in local authority care. As soon as the University of Brighton offers you a place, they will send you a short questionnaire to confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria. By the end of November, you’ll receive an email informing you whether you’ve been awarded the scholarship for this year.

How realistic are your chances?

The eligibility criteria for this grant are strictly defined: you must be a former resident of a children’s home as defined by 25, come from a low-income household, and be studying full-time at this specific university. As a result, the pool of eligible applicants remains small, and there is no ranking list or competitive selection process, provided the criteria are met. If you clearly meet the criteria regarding time spent in a children’s home and income, and secure a place at the University of Brighton, your chances are very good.