During University you will develop academic skills like research and how to reference and write essays. Do not fear- you’re not expected to develop these skills overnight! Here are a few examples of academic support from some of our members:
Middlesex University
Kingston University
University of West London
Going to university is a transformative and hugely exciting time but as with all new experiences you may face bumps in the road and unexpected challenges. Universities offer support in lots of different areas, including; advice on finance issues and how to budget, counselling services, and support groups.
Queen Mary University of London have a great page on the different types of welfare support they have available to students.
If you are a young carer, attending university can be particularly challenging but you may be able to receive extra support during your studies. Here are some examples:
If you are a student that doesn’t have a family network, which is sometimes called estranged, university can feel particularly daunting – but you are not alone. UCAS’s dedicated web page for estranged students includes advice on how to find accommodation, finance and health and wellbeing.
If you are a student with a disability then you might be able to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs). See below for some facts about the DSA:
The DSA is intended to cover some of the extra costs you have because of a; mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
You get the allowances on top of your other student finance and you do not need to repay DSAs.
DSAs can help with the costs of: specialist equipment, non-medical helpers, extra travel because of your disability and other disability-related costs of studying.
| Type of student | Specialist equipment allowance | Non-medical helper allowance | General allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Up to £5,849 for the whole course | Up to £23,258 a year | Up to £1,954 a year |
| Part-time | Up to £5,849 for the whole course | Up to £17,443 a year | Up to £1,465 a year |
Here is a how to guide and advice for disabled students, students with mental health concerns, and students with learning difficulties.
If you are a care leaver, there is a range of support available to you, including advice and guidance with your university application, financial support such as bursaries, help with university accommodation and support from your local authority.
The legal definition of a care leaver is a person who had been in care for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14, including some point at the age of 16 or 17. Most institutions offer support for care leavers, but some institutions also offer support for ‘care-experienced’ students who have experience of care but who are not covered by this definition.
Visit Propel to see what support you can get in general and from specific institutions
If you are a mature leaner and/or have a young family attending university can be particularly challenging. UCAS have a page offering guidance for students with parenting responsibilities as well as a guide for mature students.
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