Post Graduate Study
NNECL are delighted that the number of care experienced students going on to study at taught postgraduate level is akin to their non care experienced peers.
There is an option to apply for student finance for your Post Graduate study. Check out our finance pages which includes guides from Student Finance England to discover what is available for you: Student Finance
Some universities are also offering bursaries for PG Study, and we are happy to be starting to see this more and more across the sector. Check out the finance pages on your institutions website to see what is available.
We recommend speaking with your local authority if you are eligible for support as there may be further support available to you. We know this isn't widely available however some local authorities may have an offer.
Oxford University, Care-Experienced Academic Futures
The Care-Experienced Academic Futures Scholarships offer financial support to pursue graduate study at Oxford to students who have experienced being in care in the UK to pursue graduate study at Oxford.
For the purposes of selection, ‘care experienced’ means someone who, at any stage of their life before the age of 18, and for any length of time, has spent time:
- living with foster carers under local authority care; or
- living in a residential children's home; or
- being 'looked after at home’ under a supervision order; or
- living with friends or relatives in kinship care – either through a formal arrangement (such as a Special Guardianship order) or an informal arrangement, without local authority support.
- This includes anyone adopted from care before the age of 18.
You do not have to meet the legal definition of being a care leaver to be considered for this scholarship.
Support is being provided by funding partners across the University and colleges. These scholarships are open to applicants to all academic subjects and will provide funding packages to assist with course fees and living costs.
Eligibility
The Care-Experienced Academic Futures scholarships are open to applications from those who have been in care in the UK at some point in their life, and faced barriers to progressing their education. Applicants must hold an offer to commence a postgraduate degree, starting in the 2024-25 academic year.