Supporting care experienced students

The Widening Access Team are committed to ensuring that our offer targets students from a wide variety of backgrounds. It is important that we continue to do this to ensure fair and equitable access to higher education.

We will continue to prioritise learners from Widening Participation backgrounds which includes care experienced students, care leavers or estranged students. Priority places will be awarded on our events for students who meet this, and other Widening Participation criteria.

DfE data shows only 6% of those aged 19 – 21, who meet the definition of ‘care leaver’, go onto higher education compared to those who enter Higher Education (HE) straight after school or college. We also know that on average that care experienced students achieve lower educational outcomes than their peers.

To support care experienced students in making informed decisions about applying to higher education and to support them in developing the study skills required at university, we can run a variety of events and workshops.

If you would like more information, please contact your Widening Access Officer. 

Events and activities for care experienced students

Students with experience in care and their carers are invited for a personalised visit to the University. On the day students will find out more about the additional support available as a care-experienced student, meet current students and engage in interactive taster sessions.

Date: Wednesday 7 February 2024

Year group: 7-9

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby

Length of session: Full day

Delivery method: On-campus

Students with experience in care and their carers are invited for a personalised visit to the University. On the day students will find out more about the additional support available as a care-experienced student, meet current students and engage in interactive taster sessions.

Date: Wednesday 14 February 2024

Year group: 10-13

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby 

Length of session: Full day 

Delivery method: On-campus

 

This interactive session introduces higher education and challenges the myths surrounding university. The activities will help students to make informed decisions about the benefits of going to university and make students familiar with the support available for care leavers. Please let us know if you would like to organise a campus tour as part of the session.  

Date: Negotiable

Year group: Any

Location: On-campus or online

Length of session: 15 minutes to 1 hour

Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 6

Gatsby benchmarks: 2, 7

Delivery method: On-campus or online

A young male student smiling
Support at the University of Derby

If you are fostered, a care leaver or have had experience of living in care, support and guidance is available from the time of your application, through to the completion of your studies.

Students reading a prospectus
UCAS support for care leavers

If you are fostered, a care leaver or have had experience of living in care, there's support available to help you with finance, settling in, and accommodation.

Two students sat at a talk to us booth, offering advice to students
Student Finance Support

If you are fostered, a care leaver or have had experience of living in care, support and guidance is available to help you with your student finance application.