Supporting care experienced students

The Widening Participation 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 Participation Officer. 

Events for care experienced students

Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026

Year group: All years

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby

Length of session: Full day

Description: Students with experience of 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.

Delivery method: On-campus

Learning outcomes: 1, 4, 6

Gatsby benchmarks: 2 and 7

Find out more about the CES Experience Day

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.