Exeter Cares Team
Rachel Farmer (Exeter Campuses)
Welfare Consultant - Widening Participation
Students Guild
(Advice Team)
Alex Lewis (Cornwall Campuses)
Education Welfare Manager
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Estranged students
We are committed to supporting any young person who is estranged from their family and who is studying without the support or approval of a family network. As part of this commitment the University has proudly taken the Stand Alone Pledge which will help provide support for estranged students in the following areas: financial, accommodation, wellbeing, peer mentoring, careers and employability.
The University defines an estranged student as a young person (up to 25) who has little or no contact with their parents (either biological or adoptive) and that this is unlikely to change.
If you would like more information, require support or have questions about estrangement or your own circumstances, whether this is before you apply to Exeter or at any stage of your course, the Exeter Cares team is here to help please do not hesitate to contact us via exeter-cares@exeter.ac.uk
Applying
Admissions
During our admissions processes we recognise the impact that being an estranged student may have on a student’s attainment and this may be taken into account when we are considering your application. This might mean that you are made an adjusted offer to that we publish as our typical offer. This is called a contextual offer. You can find out what your contextual offer would be via this checker
Where programmes have specific subject requirements, grade adjustments may not apply to those specific requirements, Further details can be found on our course pages.
Additional eligibility criteria for contextual offers can be found here.
If you have any further queries with regards to contextual offers, please contact the Admissions team.
Financial Support
Estranged Student and Care Leaver Bursary
The bursary offers financial support for undergraduate students who are recognised as a care leaver or estranged from both parents/carers. The £1000 bursary is payable for up to four years maximum in study length (which might include an integrated Masters up to year four), with the exception of Medicine where we will support students in all five years of study.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the care leaver/estranged student bursary you must:
- Be studying a full-time undergraduate course.
- Meet the University’s definition of being a care leaver or an estranged student.
- Be assessed by the relevant UK student funding body as having independent/estranged student status or be in the process of applying for this status.
- Be a UK citizen or have been resident in the UK for at least three years
- Be studying for your first degree, PGCE or integrated undergraduate Masters’ degree (e.g., MSci or MEng)*
- Be 25 or under when commencing your course
- Be starting or continuing your studies in the 2024/2025 academic year
How will I receive the funding?
We will automatically assess your entitlement for an award after you have registered at the University. Your independent status will be notified to the University by your relevant UK funding body. The Exeter Cares team will verify this information prior to a payment being made.
What happens if I become estranged part way through the year?
If you are experiencing sudden estrangement or are waiting for your independent status to be verified by the relevant UK funding body. Please complete this online form and the Exeter Cares Team will be in touch regarding support available and guidance on applying as an independent student.
Instalment payments of the bursary will not be backdated, and payment of the next instalment will only be made once your relevant UK funding body has confirmed your independent status. If you are in need of financial support the Exeter Cares team will support you with a fast-track application to the Success for All fund.
How will I be paid?
Payments will be made in two instalments in December and June each year you progress in your studies up to 4 years.
| Payment date | Amount |
|---|---|
| Friday 6 December 2024 | £500 |
| Friday 6 June 2025 | £500 |
Can the payment dates be moved?
The payment dates of December and June have been set to help with winter and summer costs and are in addition to the Access to Exeter termly payment dates of October, January and May.
If you have any questions regarding the bursary, please contact the Exeter Cares Team Exeter-cares@exeter.ac.uk
Student Finance England
If you are irreconcilably estranged from your family, you can ask to be assessed as an independent student and be assessed on your own household income. Student Finance England defines estrangement as 'To be considered irreconcilably estranged from your parents, you won’t have had any written or verbal contact with either parent and this is unlikely to change. Usually, for a period of at least twelve months, but we will consider all cases.' If this is the case you can be assessed as an independent student and you will be entitled to additional financial support
The Exeter Cares team can offer advice about applying as an independent student and provide guidance through the process. Contact us via exeter-cares@exeter.ac.uk
Access to Exeter Bursary
The University of Exeter provides additional funding to certain part-time and full-time Home or returning European Union students in the form of the Access to Exeter Bursary (ATE).
We will automatically assess your entitlement for an award based on your household income information provided by the relevant UK Funding Body. However, we can only do this if you, and your sponsor, do not opt out of consenting to share your financial details when you complete your Application for Student Finance. To see what funding you could be eligible to receive visit our financial support pages.
Success for All Hardship fund
The University, in partnership with its alumni community, has created a fund to offer additional financial support if you are experiencing unexpected financial hardship which is affecting your ability to study within your current academic year.
Priority will be given to students undertaking their first degree who are from low-income households or without family support. The majority of funds are means-tested and you will be asked to provide evidence in support of your application.
Allowable expenditure includes (but is not exclusive to):
- Accommodation fees
- Travel
- Childcare
- Course costs
- Living costs
- IT equipment costs
- Unexpected one-off costs
As an Estranged Student, am I eligible to apply for this support?
Yes, all registered Undergraduate and Postgraduate students are eligible to apply. If your course is part-time, distance learning, or you commute to University, you are also still eligible for support.
We recognise that as an estranged student, you may face a number of unique issues, and these will be considered in your application. If you have dependents, or commuting is necessary for your course, please let us know and this will be considered in your application. Please note we will ask for supporting documents to evidence these costs.
365 day accommodation
The University of Exeter can provide 365 day access to accommodation - in particular to cover the holiday periods - to remove the obstacle of having to find temporary vacation accommodation if you require it.
The University can provide access to accommodation during the whole calendar year including the holiday periods. First years based in Exeter can also apply for early arrival into their university accommodation.
Applications for early access can be made online through a student’s accommodation account. They are processed in date order of arrival and subject to availability but with priority given to estranged. Please note, the Accommodation Office are unable to guarantee that a student’s term-time room will be available before the start of the arrivals period, and it is likely that a student will need to move again during the arrivals period.
Rent Guarantor Service
If you’re looking to rent private accommodation whilst at University, you’ll likely be asked to provide a guarantor by the letting agents or landlord. A guarantor is a person who agrees to pay your rent or damages if you cannot make payment. The University has partnered with a rent guarantor provider called Housing Hand who can act as a UK guarantor for a fee.
We have funding for 30 students who meet our definition of care experienced or estranged, to cover your guarantor fees via Housing Hand. If this applies to you, please contact the Exeter Cares Team at Exeter-cares@exeter.ac.uk
Health and wellbeing are crucial ingredients of effective study, as well as a rich and fulfilling student experience, but staying well in body and mind isn’t always easy at university. We recognise that it’s much more difficult to learn and enjoy student life when personal difficulties or emotional worries arise. Sometimes you need a little help to get “back on track” and our Wellbeing Team can offer a range of services to support you both personally and within your studies if difficulties occur.
For more information about support available see the Wellbeing website or email wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk
The University of Exeter offers career and employability support and guidance throughout your time studying with us; with continued support after you graduate. The Career Zone can offer a wide variety of programmes, including fully funded internships and mentoring schemes to support your entrance into the work place. These programmes offer the flexibility to create your own internship, financially supported by the Career Zone.
For further information please see the Careers website or contact:
Exeter Career Zone campuses
01392 724493
careers@exeter.ac.uk
Penryn Career Zone
01326 253735
cc-careers@exeter.ac.uk