At the University, we provide advice and support from application through to graduation to those who are care experienced and care leavers.
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We're here to help you throughout your course, whether it’s just to have a chat about how you're feeling or to discuss any concerns you might have about your application, finances, accommodation or your studies.
Whether you're considered care experienced or a care leaver we have support available for you.
Care Leaver
Those considered care experienced can still access support through the Student Inclusion Team, however will not be eligible for the full Care Leaver Support package.
Depending on your circumstances you may still be eligible for support as an estranged student.Ìý
If you unsure which definition is applicable to you please feel free to contact usÌýto discuss eligibility.
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Pre-Entry
Ignite your Journey is designed to support eligible Year 12/13 students with their university application and help develop the skills needed for higher education.
Care experienced young people are including in the eligibility criteria for this programme, to find out more about the programme please click here.
Open Day and Applicant Visit Day Travel Bursary
We offer a travel bursary of up to £100 to care experienced individuals to help with travel costs to University events for applicants. for more information and details on how to apply.
Contextual Admissions
Those who've been in care, or looked after, for 3 months or more may be entitled to recieve a contextual admissions offer. The Admissions Team will consider a student’s achievements in the context of their background; more information on what this means for you is available on our admissions pages .
We encourage all eligible students to on their UCAS application to let us know that they’ve been in care. This information will remain confidential and enable us to contact you.
The Student Inclusion Team offer a Transition Day specifically designed to support new care experienced undergraduate students to help to give them the best possible start at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ.
You’ll find out more about studying at the University and the support that is available to you when you join us.ÌýEligible students will be contacted by email with more information on the Transition Day in August. If you don't hear from us and think you're eligible then please contact studentinclusion@soton.ac.uk.Ìý
Care Leaver Bursary
Eligible students are entitled to our Care Leaver & Estranged Student Bursary of £2,000 per academic year. For more information on eligibilityÌýplease click here .
Care Leavers Welcome
To aid in your transition to the University, eligible undergraduate students in their first year of study, can be provided items or funds to help you settle in. This Welcome Pack or Getting Started Fund will be provided after your Welcome Meeting.*
* Specific offer may differ depending on year of entry.
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Undergraduate BursaryÌý
Eligible care leavers and care experienced students are also likely to recieve the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Undergraduate Bursary. This isÌýin addition to the Care Leaver Bursary.
Student Support Fund
The University’s Student Support Fund is designed to help should you find yourself in financial hardship at any point during your studies. Further information can be found here .
Ignite your Success
Care leavers and estranged students will automatically be a part of the University's Ignite Your Success Programme* where they can access a range of workshops, mentoring and other opportunities. Care experienced students are eligible to apply for the programme but not guaranteed a place.ÌýFind more information on the Programme here.
*This place is conditional on providing evidence to verify your Care Leaver or Estranged student status.
Local Authority Funding
Care Leavers may also be eligible for support from their Local Authority in the form of a Higher Education Bursary. For more information .
Additional Funds
Those in receipt of Care Leaver Bursary are also able to apply for additional university funds such as the Health & Wellbeing Fund, Technology Grant, Commuter Fund and Placement Support Fund during their studies. Further eligibility criteria may apply for full details see here.Ìý
Halls Accommodation
Care leavers are guaranteed access to University Halls accommodation for 365 days a year*.ÌýIf you are starting in the 2026/27 academic year, you must apply by 1 July 2026 to be guranteed an offer in Halls.Ìý
Please apply for a standard university accommodation contract at your preferred halls site, and your Dedeciated Point of Contact will discuss your requirements with you in more detail once you have moved in. Further information on our halls sites can be found on the accommodation homepage .
Care experienced students can also access Halls accommodation during vacation periods by asking for an extension or completing aÌýreturners application.Ìý
* To make use of this care leaver guarantee applications for halls will need to be submitted by certain dates.
Private Rented Accommodation
For those who don’t wish to live in university accommodation, we encourage you to search for properties on the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Accreditation Scheme for Student Housing (Ìý) website.
Agents and landlords may ask for a guarantor for each tenant before agreeing to let a property. A guarantor is where a third party, based in the UK, agrees to guarantee your rent will be paid.Ìý
If you do not have a someone who can act as guarantor you may wish to consider University Halls Accommodation, as a guarantor will not be required.
Dedicated Point of Contacts
TheÌýStudent Inclusion Team are the University’sÌýdedicated point of contact for care leavers and estranged students. If you need any advice or are experiencing difficulties and not sure who to contact, they will be happy to help you and where needed direct you to the appropriate service. You can contact TheÌýStudent Inclusion Team on studentinclusion@soton.ac.uk.Ìý
Michelle Fisher is an Adviser in the which gives independent and confidential support. They're able to provide assistance in a number of areas including Student Finance, housing and academic issues. You can get in contact with Michelle by emailing advice@susu.org or by calling 023 8059 2085.
Wellbeing
Talking to someone about what is troubling you can make a big difference to how you're wellbeing; the Student Wellbeing team isÌýavailable for you to speak to about any emotional, mental health or wellbeing issues. Contact the Student Hub , if you ever need to reach out to them.
Personal Academic Tutor
Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) is there to advise and support you with any issues which may affect your studies. We would encourage you toÌýmeet with your PAT and, if you feel comfortable, explain your situation so they are able to support you and your individual needs.
Your Student Office can help put you in contact with your PAT, you can email them at studenthub@soton.ac.uk.Ìý
There are many ways to get involved with university life these can be a great way of developing a peer support network.
Clubs and Societies
The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Students’ Union has over covering a wide range of interests; these are a great opportunity to meet new people and try something new.
University Activities & Events
The University and Students' Union put on a range of activities and events throughout the year . To stay up to date with everything that is happening on our campuses make sure to check theÌýÌýandÌý.
This includesÌýÌýwhich range from crafternoons to day trips.
Become a Student Ambassador
Becoming an ambassador is great way to both meet other students and learn new skills, all while earning money.ÌýWorking as a student ambassador can provide you with a huge range of paid opportunities to get involved. Further information and how to apply can be found here .
Applying to external funding bodies can sometimes take longer than you expect. We recommend that you start looking to in February or March.
To apply for the full level of funding you’re entitled to, you’ll need to supply some supporting evidence which usually consists of the following:
They’ll only have to provide this evidence once at the start of your course. If you personally need to send any further documentation, we recommend that you:
We recommend that you send all of your supportingÌýevidenceÌýtogether in the same envelope, with a covering letter which states your customer reference number. This will assist theÌýindividualÌýassessing your application to understand your circumstances when they look into your case.
The following websites have some advice and tips which you may find useful.
The University cannot accept responsibility for external websites.