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Our City Cares team provides financial, pastoral, and educational support for students who have spent time in local authority care, from application stage, through to graduation and searching for employment.

City, University of London is committed to supporting those who are, or have been, in the care of a local authority. We recognise that being a student with little or no family support may mean that you often face additional challenges whilst at university and we are committed to guiding you so that you can make the most of your time here.

City Cares is a service that offers a range of support to help you navigate the ups and downs of your student journey from enrolment to graduation.

Without the financial and accommodation support that I received from City Cares, I wouldn’t have had a good experience at university. I have really appreciated knowing that there is someone there to support me if I need it.

– Olufemi, care leaver and BSc Music, Sound and Technology student

Who is a care leaver?

The term care leaver refers to a young person under the age of 25 who is currently, or has previously been, in local authority care such as foster care, semi-independent living or a residential care home for a minimum of three months since the age of 14 and on or after their 16th birthday.

If you don't meet the definition of a care leaver but have spent any amount of time in local authority care and are under 25 at the start of your course then you are care experienced and can still access support.

Pre-entry support

City offers pre-entry advice and guidance through the Widening Participation Outreach team. There are a range of events and activities on offer for students thinking about university as well as for those who would like more support in preparing them for university.

As a care leaver or care experienced student you are guaranteed access to pre-entry support such as application advice, 1:1 bespoke visit days, pre-induction events and taster weeks.

If we don't know that you were in care, we can't offer you extra help. We recommend that you tick the box on the UCAS form to disclose you have spent time in care.

Financial support

  • City Cares Bursary – undergraduate care leavers or care experienced students who meet the eligibility criteria will be awarded up to £3,500 each year of their studies for up to three years.
  • Unite Foundation Scholarship – the Unite Foundation offers a scholarship to young undergraduate students who are care leavers or care experienced of a free student room in accommodation halls for a maximum of 3 years of university life.
  • Hardship Fund – students who find themselves in financial hardship can apply for the Hardship Fund. Care leavers or care experienced students are eligible for support of up to £3,500.
  • Emergency Summer Hardship Fund – care leavers and care experienced students who are struggling financially outside of term time may be eligible for up to £2,000 in additional support. Eligible students will be contacted by City Cares to apply.
  • Graduation package – care leavers and care experienced students who complete their final year of undergraduate studies are eligible for a financial package to aid with graduation costs and life after City.

On-course support

City Cares helps students transition to university life, provides advice and guidance whilst studying with us and supports students to prepare for life after graduation.

  • A Designated Member of Staff to support you throughout your time at City by being your first point of contact.
  • As a care leaver or care experienced you are prioritised for City's partner student accommodation throughout your undergraduate degree provided you have City as your firm choice by the UCAS deadline. We work closely with City's Accommodation Advisers to ensure you are allocated accommodation that that best meets your needs, including out of term time.
  • All care leavers or care experienced students receive priority access for counselling services.
  • CityBuddies peer mentoring: First year care leaver or care experienced undergraduate students are prioritised when being paired with a second or third year student from the same course (where possible) to help with settling into student life.
  • Support with academic skills, attend workshops and 1-1 sessions to make sure that you're getting the most out of your studies. City Cares students have increased access.
  • Second and third year undergraduate care leavers or care experienced students will be guaranteed an interview and given priority for the professional mentoring scheme, an opportunity to receive mentoring with a person in industry.

Useful resources

Further support is available from charities, government, local authorities and other organisations:

  • UCAS – Comprehensive information on applying for finance as a care leaver.
  • Become – Offers support, advice and help to young people in care and care leavers.
  • Propel – As part of Become, this information portal provides useful resources about applying to Higher Education institutions, different courses available and financial support.
  • Coram Voice – Coram Voice offers free advocacy for those who are in care or leaving care.
  • The Catch 22 National Care Advisory Service (NCAS) – supports care experienced children and care leavers through their national network.
  • The Care Leavers' Association – Provides advice, guidance and support to enable care leavers to thrive.
  • The Rees Foundation – Aids young people and adults who are care experienced by providing financial assistance, a support network and mentoring opportunities.

If you have any questions about the application process, would like to know more about City, University of London, or would like to arrange a visit to campus, please contact us.

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