Applying to University

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

UCAS provide advice and guidance with higher education and can help you with:

• Your UCAS application

• Your personal statement

• Your Student Finance Application

• Campus visits

• Your transition to University

They can help you choose the best University for you and advise you on which Universities have the best support for Care Leavers. When considering your options it's worth using the Propel website [External Link] to directly compare the support on offer to care leavers at each university.

For more information about applying to University, please visit the UCAS website [External Link]

Support while you're at University

We can support you to make arrangements and decisions about where you'd like to live while at University. We offer you financial support via our Leaving Care Team Discretionary Higher Education Bursary Scheme, currently this involves financing student accommodation, the provision of a laptop and assisting with travel, equipment and books.

If you are struggling at University you can speak to us about arranging support. This will usually be provided by your University, but we can speak to Student Support and liaise with tutors to ensure you enjoy your time at University and receive the best support possible.

The Leaving Care Team in Sutton are committed to supporting any care leaver with the ambition to go to University to succeed.

Here are some other links to help you on your way to University

• National Network for the Education of Care Leavers [External Link] - Providing Higher Education activities and resources for Care Leavers and Children In Care.

• Become [External Link] A charity for Children In Care and care leavers, they also developed the Propel website,

• The Complete University Guide [External Link] - An extensive online guide featuring League Tables to help you understand more about each university and giving you the most informative, unbiased and up to date information.

• Discover Uni [External Link] - The new online resource replacing the uni stats website, designed to help prospective students in deciding on the best University for them.

• Save The Student [External Link] - A website for students giving advice on Money, Banking, Student Finance, Jobs, Accommodation, Bills and lots of deals and money saving / budgeting tips

• Student Finance [External Link] - How to apply for a student loan and other financial support available.