Care leavers
The University of Greenwich recognises the unique challenges faced by care leavers when they enter higher education. So we offer you support from the application stage right through to graduation and the search for employment. To maximise the chances of care leavers progressing into higher education, we:
- Offer course-related support to care leavers on Level 3 programmes such as A-levels, BTEC Nationals, and related qualifications such as GCSE maths and English that are required as entry qualifications to university. Support is delivered by student ambassadors on a one-to-one basis and at a time to suit both parties.
- Advise and support care leavers through the UCAS process by providing help with personal statements and finance issues and by liaising with colleagues at other universities to help students to move into higher education.
- Encourage care leavers to attend the range of outreach events that the university holds, such as the Care Leaver Summer School and subject-specific taster days.
- Act as an advocate on behalf of the care leaver to access support from other agencies where needed.
Pre-entry support
Our Medway Campus has a designated member of staff, who can help you with:
- University applications
- Interview skills
- Personal statement advice
- Completion of the PN1 finance form
- Dealings with accommodation staff.
Further benefits available to care leavers
- The university will help care leavers from Kent and Medway and the London Boroughs with the cost of open day visits and interviews attended at the University of Greenwich.
- We provide you with access to a care leaver designated contact from colleges and universities in Kent and Medway
- Individual support can be given to help with the completion of the university finance form (PN1) and general finance information, UCAS personal statement support, GCSE Mathematics and English revision support, and A Level coursework and revision support as well as general enquiries relating to the transition from school/college to university.
- You will be able to attend free courses that are run during the summer to help with study skills.
- The university runs several taster days throughout the year and you will have priority status to attend these events.
Care leaver mentoring service
We also provide mentors: a member of staff who provides a friendly ear and can support you in your time at the University of Greenwich. Mentors can:
- Provide confidential advice
- Tell you where to go for other information
- Support you in making your own informed choices
- Be a friend and a general support
- Be a first point of contact for any questions about your study, living independently or university life in general.
Accommodation
We provide year-round accommodation for care leavers, which means that you can live in university residences during Christmas, Easter and summer breaks.
As we use some of our residential accommodation for events during the summer break, you can opt to either choose accommodation that will not be used and stay there during the entire year or move to different accommodation during the summer.
Find out more
Care leaver financial support
Advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as awards, allowances, grants and loans.
Campus accommodation
We provide students with high-quality accommodation situated on or near our main campuses.
Attend an open day
Find out what we have to offer and get a feel for what it would be like to study here.
Programme search
Search for courses and programmes run by our world-class institutions and Schools.
According to The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 a care leaver is someone who has been in the care of the local authority for a period of 13 weeks or more since the age of 16.
