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We understand that not everybody has a supportive home environment. If you are studying alone, we can help you.
An estranged student has no relationship with, or support from, either parent, with no contact for at least a year.
At UCL, we understand that studying as an estranged student can be challenging without family support. The following guidance outlines specific help available for estranged students at UCL.
We identify estranged students based on the status classified in your undergraduate Student Finance application. We encourage estranged students to contact us directly so we can provide early support and ensure everything is in place before you start at UCL. Your estrangement status will remain confidential and will not affect your application to UCL.
Access UCL (contextual offers)
Estranged students may be eligible for Access UCL, the university's contextual offer scheme. This means this if you are estranged and made an offer by UCL, you may receive an offer that is lower than the standard entry requirements for the programme.
For Access UCL eligibility purposes, we define an applicant estranged from their family as someone who has had no relationship with, or support from, their family for at least a year. If you are estranged, please make sure you tick the 'estranged student' box on your UCAS form so that our Admissions team can follow up with you.
Personal Support
UCL Student Success
UCL Student Success has a dedicated team who act as the key contact for undergraduate care experienced and estranged students.
The team is happy to be contacted by email from offer holder stage onwards if you have any questions about life at UCL. They also run regular meetups for care experienced and estranged students on campus.
Personal tutors
When you arrive at UCL, your department will assign you to a Personal Tutor. Their main role is to advise you on academic matters, but you can also discuss non-academic matters with them in confidence.
Student Support and Wellbeing Services
Based in your department, Student Advisers are available to support you in your first year (and second year - please check their webpage) as you transition to university life.
If you would like support with your mental health, please book an appointment with the Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team via askUCL.
Family Action Mentoring
The mentoring programme Family Action: Friendship Works is available to all UCL undergraduate UK care experienced students. For more information, please email the Student Success Office.
Transition Mentor Programme
All first year undergraduate students are assigned a second or third year mentor from their department as part of the Transition Mentor Programme. They can assist you with social, academic and personal issues relating to university life.
Careers Extra
Estranged students are eligible to join Careers Extra, which is a programme of enhanced careers support for undergraduates from underrepresented groups.
Financial support
Student Finance
If Student Finance categorise you as an 'independent student', they will not take your parents' income into account when calculating your maintenance loan amount.
To prove your estranged status to Student Finance, you will need to provide confirmation of your circumstances from a professional person outside your family. This can include a statement from:
- Your social worker
- Your Jobcentre (office explaining your benefits)
- An advice worker
- Your personal tutor
- Your teacher
- Your doctor
Financial support from UCL
The sources of support listed here, other than the Financial Assistance Fund, are for undergraduate students only.
UCL undergraduate bursary
UK undergraduate students who are assessed as care experienced students by Student Finance (see above) will be automatically assessed as being eligible for the maximum UCL Undergraduate Bursary.
Estranged student bursary
UK undergraduate students who are assessed as estranged students by Student Finance (see above) are eligible for the UCL Estranged Student Bursary of £1,000 for each year of study.
Financial assistance fund
Students in financial need may be able to access the Financial Assistance Fund. This is discretionary assistance for current UCL students who find themselves in unexpected financial difficulty.
Access Opportunity Scholarship
The Access Opportunity Scholarship is available to students who, due to their immigration status, are unable to access student loans via Student Finance.
Accommodation
UCL will provide 365-day accommodation for estranged students in their first year and, if needed, 365-day accommodation for subsequent years of study.
If you need 365-day accommodation and/or accommodation beyond your first year at UCL, please contact the UCL Accommodation team. You can do so via askUCL or by email.
Rent Guarantor Scheme
If you are looking to rent privately, but struggling to find someone to act as a rent guarantor, the Rent Guarantor Scheme run by the Accommodation team may be able to support you.
Unite Foundation Scholarship
The Unite Foundation Scholarship provides care experienced and estranged students with free accommodation for up to three years of study.
Further information and support
- This guide has been created by a care experienced current UCL student in collaboration with the Student Success Office.
- Buttle UK is a charitable organisation providing grant aid to vulnerable young people to provide the best possible opportunity in meeting their educational needs.
- EaCES is a peer platform by and for estranged and care experienced students. Their handbook is a virtual guide bringing together information and advice for students throughout their university life, covering topics such as accommodation, careers advice, navigating holidays and festive periods, and healthy relationships.
- All of US is an online community for estranged and care experienced students. They also share meetups and events happening around the UK.