Care leavers and care experienced university students

• Accommodation is available throughout the year, 365 days a year. This means you can stay in University accommodation during holiday periods, throughout term time and when the University is closed during the summer.
• Through Housing Hand, you may be eligible to apply without a guarantor and receive a 35% discount on its fees. To apply for this service, please use the UCB dedicated link.
• There is a monthly timetable of social events and activities, including during holiday periods and University closures, giving you the opportunity to meet other residents within the community. You can find the timetable, along with useful information about living at The Maltings, by following UCB Accommodation on Instagram.
• Advice and guidance are available from the Residential Community team at The Maltings. The team is fully trained and available to support you from the moment you know you are coming to UCB, when you move in and throughout your time with us.

Additional support for care leavers

• Four weeks of free accommodation at the beginning of Semester 2, equivalent to £632.
• A £50 UniKit voucher, which can be used to purchase starter-kit essentials through the UniKit website. UniKit also provides an additional 10% discount on the price of its items.

Our accommodation is available to both Further Education and Higher Education students. However, you must be over the age of 18 to live in University accommodation.

• If you are looking for a job while studying, you are guaranteed an interview for the role of Student Ambassador within Student Outreach. This offers regular paid work throughout the year that you can fit around your studies.
• If you are a UK undergraduate starting a full-time course in September 2026 and paying your tuition fees with a student loan, you are eligible to receive the £6,000 Cost of Living Allowance. Designed to help with costs including food, bills, transport and gym membership, the allowance is not means-tested, is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.
• New UK students starting a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible to receive financial support worth up to £800 in each year of study if their household income is under £25,000.

£300 is provided in Semester 1 and £500 in Semester 2. This support is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

The funds are provided as credit that can be spent through the Kick-Start website on course-related materials and a range of products to support your studies. Some of the funds can also be used at campus cafeterias and selected other outlets.

Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme.

Additional support for care leavers

• New UK students starting a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible for a Digital Award worth £280. The award is provided through Kick-Start and can help with the cost of electronic items such as tablets and laptops.

As a care leaver, you may be eligible for a contextual offer. This will normally be one grade lower than the standard entry requirements shown on our course pages or in our prospectus, although the offer may vary depending on the course you would like to study.

If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions team by calling 0121 604 1040 or emailing admissions@ucb.ac.uk.

We have a dedicated team, led by Tracy-Anne Rider, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Head of FE Pastoral Support, who provide advice and guidance for care leavers, care experienced students and their advisers.

Whether you are considering a Higher Education course or a Further Education programme, the team can answer your questions, explain the support available and connect you with the most appropriate service to help make your transition to UCB as smooth as possible.

You can also attend a Transition Day before starting your studies. This gives you the opportunity to tour the campus, meet students with similar life experiences, visit our halls of residence at The Maltings and, if you choose, stay overnight free of charge.

To contact Tracy-Anne and the team, email careexperienced@ucb.ac.uk.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Team

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team provides counselling and mental health and wellbeing advice. They offer booked appointments for students, and you will be given priority.

To book an appointment for mental health and wellbeing support, you will need to complete the online registration form and share your care leaver or care experienced status. This can be accessed through the UCB Portal.

Once the team receives your application, you will be contacted by email with a date and time for an assessment, based on the availability you provide on the application form.

As a care leaver or care experienced young person, you can also arrange a meeting with a Mental Health and Wellbeing Adviser to discuss your needs, progress and how the team can support you holistically. Your personal adviser can also attend the meeting if you wish.

Student Engagement Team

If you are a Higher Education student, the Student Engagement Team can offer you a mentor during your time studying with us at UCB.

The team understands the journey and challenges students can face and recognises that care leavers and care experienced students may experience additional barriers. They are available to help you with any issues you may have, so please feel free to arrange a time to talk them through.

Appointments can take place online, face to face or by telephone, depending on what works best for you. To arrange a session with a member of the team, email studentengagement@ucb.ac.uk.

Speak Out and Support

Our Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Support Service provides a safe, confidential space where you can talk and be heard. Specialist advisers offer free, non-judgemental support to students who have experienced sexual misconduct and harassment, stalking, spiking and domestic abuse.

You can speak in confidence with one of our advisers, who will listen without judgement, respect your choices and support you at your own pace. They will help you explore your options and make informed decisions about what comes next, whether you choose to report or not.

You can find out more information or make a referral through our Speak Out and Support page, or email studentcases@ucb.ac.uk.

Careers and Employability Support

At University College Birmingham, we recognise that care leavers and care experienced students may face additional challenges when planning their careers. Through HIRED, our dedicated employability, careers and placements service, we offer inclusive, personalised support to help you build confidence, develop your options and progress into employment or further study.

Our experienced team provides impartial careers advice and guidance tailored to your individual circumstances. We are here to support you from the start of your studies and for up to five years after you graduate, ensuring continuity as you transition into employment or further education.

How HIRED can support you

Care leavers and care experienced students can access additional, flexible support to help you:

• Explore and develop realistic career options that reflect your goals and strengths
• Plan and access work experience, volunteering and placement opportunities
• Develop employability skills, including CV writing, applications and interview preparation
• Build confidence in professional environments and recruitment processes
• Explore progression into further study, training or graduate-level opportunities

Support can be adapted to your needs and accessed through one-to-one guidance, workshops and employer-focused activities.

Higher Education students

For Higher Education students, support includes career planning, skills matching, assistance with planning placements and internships, graduate recruitment preparation and ongoing alumni support for up to five years after graduation.

If you identify as a care leaver or care experienced student, you are encouraged to let the team know so we can ensure you are aware of and able to access the full range of available support.

You can contact the team by emailing hired@ucb.ac.uk.

• Propel is a website designed to provide support and information to care leavers who want to enter Higher Education.
• Access Estranged and Care Experienced Students (EaCES) Handbook. A virtual guide written by estranged and care experienced students to bring together information and advice to help other students from the same background.
• Check your Pathway Plan with your Leaving Care Worker. Some local authorities provide a one-off £2,000 Higher Education Bursary to care leavers who started their course before their 25th birthday and does not need to be repaid.
• You can now search for support offered by individual local authorities at Care Leaver Local Offer.
• Coram Voice will help you get your voice heard, tell you about your rights, and give you support such as access to a social worker.
• The Rees Foundation are a lifelong support network that offers help and advice to care experienced individuals about any concern. They also run several projects to celebrate any personal and professional achievements.
• For more information on applying for student finance as an independent student, please visit their website.