For students starting in September 2023

The University of Bedfordshire is strongly committed to opening up higher education to all students who want to study for a degree, without worrying about finance and funding. So we have put in place a bursary that will support you if you are a care-experienced student, helping you to live independently while at University and focus on making a success of your studies. The bursary is worth £5,700 over three academic years or £7,600 over four academic years (including a Foundation Year).

For students starting in September 2023, we are also introducing an Independent From Family Bursary to support students who are 'estranged' from their family, studying without their family’s financial or emotional support. This bursary carries the same funding and support as the Care Leavers Bursary; you do not have to be in, or have been in, care to qualify for it. More information on our Independent From Family Bursary will follow shortly.

The Care Experienced Bursary is available to all students under the age of 25 at the start of their degree course who are paying £9,250 in tuition fees and can provide confirmation of their care-experienced status from their local authority.

While there are no restrictions on the nationality of applicants, you must be resident in the UK and enrolled on a full-time BA/BSc/BEng/LLB degree.

We will support you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to be successful during your course and after graduation. We will also work hard to ensure our support services are as accessible as possible for all students while also understanding you may not want or need any additional support. Contact Student Support directly at natasha.hurd@beds.ac.uk

As part of the University's promise to you, your privacy and anonymity will be assured at all times.

As a care-experienced student, you are entitled to the following benefits

• If you join us, we will provide you with clear information about support services, both through the University website, handbooks and the student support centres across campuses
• As well as giving you the first taste of independence, there is University accommodation which you can arrange for all year round stay in halls for the duration of your course
• You will receive the Care Leavers Bursary in instalments across the academic year, totalling £1,900 each year of study
• The bursary is not payable during a year out from on-campus study, such as the Professional Practice Year, and there is only one payment per level of study

How to apply for the bursary

Submit an application form each year of study for the Care Experienced Bursary. Application forms are available from Student Money Advice or online (see below).

When applying, you need to provide evidence in the form of:

• an original letter from your local authority confirming your care-leaver status
• confirmation of funding from Student Finance England/Wales or from NHS Bursaries (for nursing and health students)

More details on applying for the Independent From Family Bursary will be published shortly.

Contact sma@beds.ac.uk for more information or general queries about both the Care Experienced Bursary and the Independent From Family Bursary.

Alternatively call into a or call in to a SMA Drop-In on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 10 – 12pm or log an enquiry with SiD online.

Online resources

• Application Form [DOCX]
• Guide [PDF]
• Care Experienced Bursary Terms and Conditions [DOCX]
• Independent From Family Bursary Terms and Conditions [DOCX]
• Payment Details [DOCX]