Support for Care Leavers and Care-experienced Students

At Birmingham Newman University we’re here to support you from application through to graduation. Starting university is a big step.

We recognise that care leavers and care-experienced students may face additional challenges around accommodation, finances or disrupted schooling.

That’s why we offer tailored, ongoing support — before you apply and throughout your studies.

Who is a care leaver?

Care Leaver

A care leaver is a young person who has been in the care of, or has been given accommodation by, their local authority (LA) for a period of at least 13 weeks or more spanning their 16^th birthday.

At Birmingham Newman, you are recognised as a Care Leaver if you:

Are under 25 on 1 September of your first academic year
Are eligible for Personal Adviser support from your Local Authority
Were in Local Authority care for at least 13 weeks including your 16th birthday

Care Experienced

We define a care-experienced student as an individual who has been in care at any stage in their life, no matter how short a period.

Support at Birmingham Newman

A dedicated contact for Care Leaver and Care-experienced students

If you are currently in care, or have previously been in care, Birmingham Newman has a dedicated care leaver contact who can offer tailored support prior to arrival and throughout your time at university. If you have any questions about studying with us please contact our Advice and Wellbeing Manager, Tammy Oyekanmi –t.oyekanmi@newman.ac.uk.

Contextual admissions

Birmingham Newman has a contextual admissions policy which gives a reduced points offer to students who have been in care for more than six months.

Pre-entry support

We can offer you guidance from your first interest in applying for university right through to studying here. Please get in touch with our care leaver contact if you have any questions. All of our support is optional, and you can decide how much support you need at any stage.

When you arrive

If you choose to disclose your care leaver status to Birmingham Newman, either via your UCAS application form or to our care leaver contact, you will be contacted at the beginning of your first year. Our care leaver contact will arrange to meet with you either remotely or on campus to explain the range of support that is available.

Accommodation

As a care leaver, you are guaranteed accommodation in university-owned halls of residence 365 days per year. Deposit fees for university owned accommodation will also be waived. For more details, get in touch with our accommodation team.

Financial Support

Care Leaver Bursary

From September 2026, eligible undergraduate students who meet the University’s Care Leaver definition will receive a £1,000 bursary for each year of study, paid in instalments. You do not need to apply, but you must provide evidence to the care leaver contact to confirm your eligibility.

Free campus gym membership

All eligible care leavers will also receive free gym membership for the duration of their studies for the Newman Sports and Fitness Centre.

Local authority bursary and support

A local authority bursary of £2,000 is available for all eligible care leavers entering higher education for the first time before their 25^th Birthday. Please contact your local authority leaving care team to find out if you are eligible for the bursary and how it will be paid to you.

Local authorities may also be able to support you with accommodation and other costs related to entering higher education. You can discuss this with your local authority. Our care leaver contact is able to act as a link between the university and your local authority if you want them to.

Student loans

Full-time undergraduate students can apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan for general living costs. You may also have eligibility for additional support if you have children or a disability or long-term health condition. If you are under 25 at the start of your course, you may be required to provide a letter from your local authority to confirm your previous care arrangements. Our care leaver contact can guide you through applying for student finance.

Grant Funding

Our care leaver contact can also support you to apply for other grants that you may be eligible for such as those listed below.

The Eve Brook Scholarship Fund (ebsf) supports young people, 16 to 25, who have been in care in Birmingham by giving them the opportunity to go to college or university.
The Capstone Care Leavers Trust can offer small grants to eligible higher education students aged 17-25 who are not receiving funding from their local authority.
If you are experiencing financial hardship during your studies you may be eligible for a grant through the Birmingham Newman University Support Fund, which is administered through the University’s Finance Office. Our care leaver contact can give you advice on making an application to the fund and can support you to ensure you are in receipt of all of your statutory funding.

Support during your course

Personal Tutors

All students at Birmingham Newman are allocated a personal tutor who is a single point of contact on your course they can provide support and advice on academic issues as well signpost you to other support.

Careers & Employability Support

Care Leavers and care experienced students have a named contact, Teresa Waring, Senior Progression Coach, in the careers team for Care Leavers to approach for initial career-related questions and advice. You can contact Teresa directly at t.waring@staff.newman.ac.uk. Birmingham Newman Careers team can offer you:

1:1 guidance appointments for part-time jobs, work experience and careers advice.
Progression coaching, enhanced careers advice, in your final year.
Access to Workshops and Employer Events.
Guaranteed first interview for Student Ambassador roles

Student Success

Our Student Success team provides a wide range of services to ensure you make the most of your time with us. Our support services include Advice & Wellbeing, Disability & Inclusion and Academic Development. For more information on how to access these services visit our Student Success pages.

For further information about any of the support outlined above, please contact our Care Leaver Contact, Tammy Oyekanmi, at t.oyekanmi@newman.ac.uk.