Urbanest bursary to provide vital support for students in crisis

Financial pressure is the single most common obstacle to participation in higher education, with talented students from low-income backgrounds particularly vulnerable to unforeseen expenses or changes in circumstance.

Each year, a significant number of students endure serious economic hardships, which can often have an adverse effect on both academic performance and broader wellbeing.

Since it was founded in 2009, urbanest has worked with partner institutions to help alleviate these issues and improve access to university-level education.

The accommodation specialist is now expanding its commitment at UCL, and will provide an estimated £1.79 million to assist eligible students with short-term housing needs while they navigate access to long-term support.

The funds will be administered by UCL’s Specialist Housing Advice Team, which has been established to support highly vulnerable students in cases which require an urgent housing intervention.

“Our relationship with UCL has grown consistently as we house and support increasing numbers of graduate and undergraduate students,” said Mark Morgan, CEO of urbanest. “The expansion of this relationship, aligning with UCL’s Specialist Housing Advice Team and supporting UCL in encouraging and funding students who may not ordinarily be able to further their studies, perfectly reflects urbanest’s commitment to genuinely supporting our University Partners and their students.”

In recent years, Student Support and Wellbeing Services at UCL have experienced a growing caseload of complex referrals. The urbanest Accommodation Bursary will provide a vital lifeline in scenarios involving domestic violence, familial estrangement, and for recent victims of crimes who are seeking a ‘safe’ space.

“We firmly believe that your personal circumstances and the challenges you may face should not be barriers to study at UCL,” said Angharad Milenkovic, UCL Vice-President (Advancement). “With the help of partners like urbanest, we are turning this principle into reality and providing life-changing support for the brightest minds.”

For thousands of young people, funding their education remains a significant concern. Through our scholarships and student support programmes, visionary donors are ensuring that the choice to study at UCL is open to anyone with the ability to do so.  

Links

Urbanest
UCL – Supporting students who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
UCL Giving
UCL Giving (Scholarships)

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A UCL Student Residence Advisor in conversation with a student.