Are you looked after or have you been looked after by a local authority?

Anglia Ruskin University is committed to providing support for students from care and those leaving care who want to go on to higher education. This page will provide you with the information you need and the support available to you, prior to application and throughout your time with us.

You can self disclose on your UCAS form to let us know you are a care leaver or if you prefer, you or your social services team can contact us to make initial enquiries for you.

Some of the support available includes:

• Summer schools / Events and Activities
• Help with your UCAS form
• Pre entry advice, support and guidance
• Admissions
• Priority for accommodation for first academic year
• Money Advice
• Dedicated mentors
• Access to other specialist student support

If you are interested in applying to study with us or have any concerns or issues before you arrive or during your studies at Anglia Ruskin University, you can contact our designated contact for care leavers, Suzanne Drieu, on 0845 196 2332 or email care-leavers@anglia.ac.uk.
Suzanne will be able to discuss these with you within a pre-booked appointment, by phone or email and/or, with your consent, refer you appropriately. Other contacts for specific areas can be found in the sections below.

Summer schools / Events and activities

Katerina Kanlis is the Outreach & Recruitment Officer with responsibility for outreach activity with care leavers and provides information and advice to everyone and anyone thinking about higher education. The activities offered are open to all, and students from a care background are welcomed onto all outreach events. Some of the events and activities offered need to be booked by a teacher at your school or college, and some you can book yourself onto.

The activities offered include visiting careers fairs at schools and colleges, giving talks about navigating your options and applying for university, organising subject tasters for school classes, hosting campus visits and working with faculties to run a range of creative and fun summer schools to give you a taste of university study. To find out more about the events we offer on the Outreach and Recruitment web pages.

If you would like help filling in your UCAS application information, or advice about anything related to HE study and outreach activity please email Katerina - katerina.kanlis@anglia.ac.uk

Pre entry advice, support and guidance

If you want to discuss any aspect of your degree, career choice or have any questions around where your degree could lead then our Careers guidance advisers are happy to offer you pre-entry guidance and support prior to application.
Designated contacts are:

• Gill Betmead, Cambridge
• Hilary Atkinson, Cambridge
• Sarah Janes, Chelmsford

Please email employability@anglia.ac.uk or call 0845 196 6701/6700 to make an appointment.

Admissions

Our team of Admissions Officers and Administrators work closely together and follow standardised procedures and practices. Our Admissions Officers have responsibility for individual courses as well as acting as designated Faculty contacts. They provide a link between you and your Faculty during the application process, providing information on qualifications and entry requirements. They check application forms and make and confirm offers, as well as sending you your joining information.

For further information please visit the Admissions web pages.

Accommodation

Care leavers are a priority to house. All students coming directly to Anglia Ruskin University from local authority care, and who apply for accommodation and who have firmly accepted Anglia Ruskin University as their first choice are eligible for University provided accommodation during their first year of study. Accommodation can also be available during the summer vacation; however students may be required to move to another building.

The Residential Service are also able to assist students secure accommodation in the private rented sector.
For more information please contact cambaccom@anglia.ac.uk or essexaccom@anglia.ac.uk

Money Advice

From September 2009, Care Leavers starting university, or returning in their second year, will receive a £2,000 Higher Education Bursary to help with the costs of university life. The Higher Education Bursary regulations are now in force so all Local Authorities must pay a bursary to Care Leavers who go on to Higher Education.

Some Local Authorities chose to provide further support in excess of this £2,000 which can be in the form of help with housing costs, a weekly allowance, or support towards tuition fees. You are advised to contact your Local Authority to discuss what support is available and in what form as this varies from Authority to Authority.

The £2,000 Higher Education Bursary is available to any Care Leaver who started a course of Higher Education on or after September 2008 and before their 25th birthday.

From Student Finance

Full time students under 25 are either classed as independent or dependent on their parents'/legal guardian?s household income. Students who are married or have dependent children at the start of the course are automatically classed as independent. Under 25's are usually classed as dependant but, if evidence is supplied that shows that a student has spent time in care or is estranged from their parents, a student can be assessed as independent which can result in additional funding. Further information is available from Student Finance England.

From Our University

The Access to Learning Fund is a grant fund provided to our university by the Government. Students who have taken out all funding available to them can apply and will be income assessed for a grant which is non-repayable.

Whilst there is no longer a specific bursary for Care Leavers/foyer students, such students are classed as a priority for the fund. Further information can be obtained from www.anglia.ac.uk/moneyadvice/alf
You may also be eligible for a fee waiver or the National Scholarship Programme.

Dedicated mentors

All students who disclose a care leaver status at application will be contacted by the Student Enhancement Team (SET) who will offer you a free, confidential service dedicated to enhancing your learning experience. The Student Enhancement Team comprises Retention and Progression Coordinators and Study Coaches based in Student Services.

Your Retention and Progression Coordinators are committed to enhancing your learning experience through free confidential advice and referrals to specialist academic, social and financial services. We are available throughout the semester including holiday periods when the university is open.

Your Study Coaches provide detailed information, sound advice and practical guidance on the academic skills needed to succeed in higher education.

For further information please contact SET by email at SET@anglia.ac.uk

Access to other specialist student support

Students at Anglia Ruskin University are supported throughout their studies by our award winning Student Services team. Our Student Services team was rated the best in the country at the Times Higher Education Awards 2012 and can provide you with personalised advice and support.

For further information visit: www.anglia.ac.uk/studentservices