As a corporate parent the University of Aberdeen is fully committed to supporting Care Experienced applicants and students. Anyone who is care experienced or has been looked after by a local authority is especially welcome to apply to us.
"The term care-experienced refers to anyone who has been or is currently in care or from a looked-after background at any stage in their life, no matter how short, including adopted children who were previously looked-after. This care may have been provided in a one of many different settings such as in residential care, foster care, kinship care, or through being looked-after at home with a supervision requirement" Scottish Funding Council
The University of Aberdeen is proud to have achieved the Buttle UK Quality Mark for Care Leavers in recognition of its commitment to care experienced young people. The University provides a range of support mechanisms and services which can be tailored to meet the needs of individual care experienced students.
Support offered to Care Experienced students includes:
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Pre-entry: Applicants with experience of care are eligible to support through Access Aberdeen and Reach. We would be delighted to provide tailored support and guidance to care experienced students, for example advice on entry requirements and pathways, funding, and accommodation.
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Admissions: Guaranteed offer of admission to care experienced applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements, or guaranteed interview for courses requiring an interview or audition. Applicants with experience of care will be considered under the University's Contextualised Admissions and Access Thresholds Policy
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Accommodation: The University offers year round accommodation to students who are Care Experienced. Care experienced students can also apply for the University's Rental Guarantor Scheme should they wish to rent from a private landlord.
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Financial assistance: Care experienced students are eligible to apply for a range of scholarship opportunities. Care experienced undergraduate students can also apply for a funding package from SAAS which includes a non-income assessed Care Experienced Students Bursary.
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Transition Support: Access to bespoke online transition courses developed to help boost confidence when starting university.
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Advice and Support Office: The University’s Support and Advice Office offers impartial and confidential advice and support on a range of issues, including finance, disability support and more.
For more information, download a copy of the University of Aberdeen Corporate Parenting Plan.