While we support all widening access and articulating students, we recognise that some have additional support needs specific to their individual circumstances. Below is a summary of the support currently offered to students from these groups. This list is updated as we learn alongside our applicants and we welcome all enquiries.
We recognise that some people might feel uncomfortable disclosing this information, but we would like to reassure applicants that all enquiries are treated in confidence and may lead to positive outcomes in terms of admissions, finances and additional support if needed.
- Students from an SIMD20 Postcode
-
SIMD stands for the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. It is a relative measure of deprivation across area data zones in Scotland. You can find out more about SIMD on the Scottish Government website. The University of Aberdeen is fully committed to supporting students from SIMD20 postcode areas, including providing free accommodation for your first year of study!
You can check if your home postcode is in an SIMD20 (Quintile 1) area using our postcode checker tool. If you have any difficulties determining if your postcode is in an SIMD20 (Quintile 1) area, please contact the Access & Articulation Team.
We can offer you a range of support during the application process and during your studies, such as:
- Consideration under the University's Contextualised Admissions and Access Thresholds Policy
- Specific guidance on entry requirements
- Visits to our campus
- Advice on financial support
- Free accommodation for your first year of study!
- Care Experienced Applicants
-
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 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
Support offered to care experienced students includes:
-
Pre-entry: Applicants with experience of care are eligible to support through Reach. We can provide tailored support and guidance to care experienced students, for example advice on entry requirements and pathways, funding, and accommodation.
-
Admissions: We guarantee and offer of admission to care experienced applicants who meet our minimum entry requirements, or guarantee an 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
-
Accommodation: We offer year-round accommodation to students who are care experienced. They can also apply for the University's Rental Guarantor Scheme should they wish to rent from a private landlord.
-
Financial assistance: Care experienced students are eligible to apply for a range of scholarship opportunities.Care experienced undergraduate student can also apply for a funding package from SAAS which includes a non-income assessed Care Experienced Students Bursary.
-
Transition Support: We offer bespoke online transition courses developed to help boost confidence when starting university.
-
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.
Should you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated points of contact Sally Middleton at accessaberdeen@abdn.ac.uk
-
- Estranged Applicants
-
If you are estranged from your family, the University of Aberdeen can provide you with support before you apply, during the application process, and whilst you are studying with us. Estranged students live without support from their family due to a breakdown in their relationship.
Support offered to estranged applicants includes:
- Access to pre-entry support from Reach
- Advice and guidance on applying to university, personal statements, and the UCAS process
- Guidance on finance and funding
- Access to Student Advice and Support Services
- Year-round accommodation contracts in University Halls of Residence
- Access to the University’s Rental Guarantor Scheme if you choose to rent with a private landlord
- Support with applying for bursaries and scholarships
- One-to-one meetings with a dedicated point of contact
- Signposting to a range of services and support within and external to the University
Should you have any questions, contact our Access Team at accessaberdeen@abdn.ac.uk
In this vlog current student, Samuel Munyeza, shares his experience of coming to university as an estranged student, discussing the obstacles he had to overcome and the support available to him.
- Carers
-
The University of Aberdeen is fully committed to supporting Student Carers. According to the Carers Trust:
“A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.”
We can offer you a range of support during the application process and during your studies, such as:
- Support through Reach
- Consideration under the University’s Contextualised Admissions and Access Thresholds Policy
- Specific guidance on entrance requirements
- Visits to our campus
- Advice on financial support, including help with filling out funding applications
- Access to the University’s Rental Guarantor Scheme if you choose to rent with a private landlord
- A named contact for questions or worries you might have before and during your studies
- A range of student support services available throughout your studies
- Support via our Parents and Carers Network
More information on support for unpaid carers can be found at the following websites:
- Veteran
-
The University has strong links with the Armed Forces, through the Military Education Committee and the University Officer Training Corps. The University signed the Armed Forces Covenant in August 2016.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the University to those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families. The Covenant promises the University will do all it can to ensure that this community is treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. The Armed Forces Covenant relies on people, communities, businesses and organisations such as the University, to actively support it to make a difference.
We can offer you a range of support during the application process and during your studies including consideration under the University’s Contextualised Admissions and Access Thresholds Policy.
- Parents in the Military
-
The University has strong links with the Armed Forces, through the Military Education Committee and the University Officer Training Corps. The University signed the Armed Forces Covenant in August 2016.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the University to those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families. The Covenant promises the University will do all it can to ensure that this community is treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives. The Armed Forces Covenant relies on people, communities, businesses and organisations such as the University, to actively support it to make a difference.
We can offer you a range of support during the application process and during your studies including consideration under the University’s Contextualised Admissions and Access Thresholds Policy
- Asylum Seekers & Refugees
-
The University of Aberdeen is fully committed to supporting Asylum Seekers and Refugees looking to study with us. We can offer you a range of support during the application process and during your studies such as:
- Consideration under the University’s Contextualised Admissions and Access Thresholds Policy
- Specific guidance on entrance requirements
- Visits to our campus
- Advice on financial support
- Gypsy, Roma or Travelling Community
-
The University of Aberdeen is fully committed to supporting students from the Gypsy, Roma, and Travelling Communities. We can offer you a range of support during the application process and during your studies, such as:
- Consideration under the University’s Contextualised Admissions and Access Thresholds Policy
- Specific guidance on entrance requirements
- Visits to our campus
- Advice on financial support, including help with filling out funding applications
- A named contact for questions or worries you might have before and during your studies
- A range of student support services available throughout your studies
Should you have any questions, contact our Access Team at accessaberdeen@abdn.ac.uk
- Disabilities and Specific Learning Differences
-
The Disability Service provides advice, information and practical support to prospective and current students who have sensory and physical impairments, mental health conditions, long-term health conditions, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Dyslexia and other specific learning differences (SpLD) and students who have an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
The Disability Team are available to assist undergraduate, postgraduate, full time, part time and online distance learners. Learn more about the support available to you here.