At Northumbria University we define a care leaver as a young person under the age of 25 who:
The university recognises that having experienced time in care you may face some unique challenges on your journey to university. As such, our Outreach Team can provide provide information and advice to support you from deciding if university is right for you, through to applying and transitioning to university.
As a care experienced student, you would likely be eligible for one of our supported entry schemes. These schemes offer a range of support and opportunities, to help students throughout their journey to Northumbria University. In addition to the information and support provided through the scheme, successful completion of one of the supported entry schemes enables students to earn supported entry scheme points, equivalent to UCAS tariff points, when applying to Northumbria university.
For more information about these schemes and to apply, please visit our supported entry scheme webpage.
Northumbria University is a member of the North East Raising Aspiration Partnership (NERAP), a collaboration of the five universities in the North East of England, working together to support young people to think about their futures and how higher education can help them reach their goals.
To ensure support for care-experienced students is sustained throughout their higher education journey, all five universities have signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant as a regional partnership via the existing NERAP Partnership. This means that students who choose to study at any of the university Partners will be guaranteed continued support to access, succeed and progress.
The partnership offers a progressive programme of support for care-experienced students which forms part of the pre-entry support in the Regional Care Leaver Covenant Offer:
Choices Together the perfect opportunity to discover all about being a university student and what Higher Education could offer you in the future. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t thought about college or university – everyone is welcome! You can join the programme at any point from Year 7 up to Year 13 and can work with us throughout your educational journey. Sessions run from October-July and include both on-campus and online events. For further information about Choices Together, please click here.
Care experienced students wishing to find out more and visit the university, should get in touch to discuss arranging an individual campus visit, which will also provide you with an opportunity to find out more about the bespoke support we offer for care experienced students.
We are here to support you throughout your journey to university and are able to provide information and advice for care experienced students on an individual basis throughout the application process.
If you are currently holding an offer with us and require any support or have any questions about the transition, such as finding accommodation or financial support, further information about this support can be found below or please do get in touch.
To access any of the support for care experienced students or for more information or any questions, please do get in touch and we will be happy to help.
Email: nu.inclusion@northumbria.ac.uk.
The Student Inclusion Team, based within Student Life and Wellbeing, is a key point of contact for Student Care Leavers within the University whilst you study with us. The team offers advice on a range of issues and has a dedicated Wellbeing Practitioner who can advise on welfare, financial, academic and health matters and act as a referral point into other support services within the University. Here are the ways we can support you through NU Belong:
Northumbria University offers financial support from the NU Belong Fund for Care Leavers. You could receive financial support of up to £2,000 if you are a Full Time Undergraduate student.
Following an appointment with your dedicated Wellbeing Practitioner, you will be sent an application form to complete in the Student Portal. If you are eligible for the NU Belong Fund, your £2,000 award will be split into three payments across the academic year (the amount and dates of these will be confirmed once your application has been approved).
The funding is available for eligible ‘home’ students under the age of 25 who are studying on a Full Time Undergraduate course. Eligibility criteria is based on the University definition of Care Leaver as detailed above. In order to receive the funding, you will need to provide a letter/ evidence document from, for example, your Social Worker to confirm that you meet the criteria.
Northumbria University also offers Care Leavers university accommodation on a 52-week basis at the same cost for the normal letting period for that residence. Please note that this only applies to university owned accommodation. This will not apply to privately provided accommodation or any of our nominated accommodation outlets.
NU Belong provides a designated named contact within Student Life and Wellbeing for Care Leavers. They can assist you if you are experiencing difficulties, have any concerns and are unsure on where to go for help. Whether you have academic, wellbeing or personal concerns, your designated contact can offer guidance, support and referrals into other University services if required. Our aim is to ensure that our students receive the right advice and support from the right people when needed.
Your designated contact from the Student Inclusion Team will also contact you once a term as a commitment to offering the opportunity for a 1 -1 appointment. These are not mandatory but 1 – 1 time can be beneficial for students to discuss any specific worries or concerns, an opportunity to reflect or set future goals, or as an opportunity to simply chat through how you are getting along.
NU Belong will promote opportunities, initiatives and events aimed at enhancing your student experience, engagement and empowering you towards success. Students are able to agree to receive communications on these from the Student Inclusion Team as part of the online enrolment but can also opt-in at any point.
Current students can enquire via their Student Portal. If you are not a current student and you would like to contact us please use this form and we'll be in touch
Back to top
