Student carers
UWE Cares eligibility and how we assess you for support.
A carer is anyone who offers unpaid, regular, ongoing support for a friend, partner or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.
Examples of support you may offer are:
- help them with their budgeting and finances
- giving them consistent emotional support
- making sure they have enough to eat and drink
- helping them get washed and dressed or use the toilet
- attending appointments with them
- helping them cope with symptoms of mental illness
- helping around their home
- helping them to see their family, friends or attend social activities
- ensuring they take their medication at the right time
- translating at hospital appointments.
Eligibility and how we assess your application
The steps below explain how we assess for UWE Cares Support and explain the eligibility criteria for the UWE Cares Bursary and accommodation offer.
You must complete all of these actions to be eligible for our support and to be assessed for the UWE Cares bursary and accommodation offer.
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Step 1
To be eligible for our support as a student carer you must:
- be a Home UK undergraduate student
- be able to evidence your status as a student carer
- be studying your first undergraduate degree, studying at least 30 credits per year.
To see that you are a student carer, UWE Cares will need you to send us evidence. Please email us a photo or scanned copy of one of the following:
- a copy of your latest Carer’s Award letter if you receive Carer’s Allowance
or - a copy of an award letter showing that the person you care for is in receipt of one of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Council Tax Reduction or Housing Benefit that includes a disability premium as part of the assessment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Universal Credit (limited capability for work component)
If you are sending us a photo of a document, please ensure you send us the complete document alongside a form of ID or slip of paper with your name and UWE Bristol ID number. We need this in order to verify your document.
If you are unable to provide one of the above documents, please email us to see if we can find an alternative option for you at UWECares@uwe.ac.uk.Bursary and accommodation support
For bursary and accommodation support you must meet all the above criteria and be income assessed by your student finance body as having a household income under £25,000.
The quicker you apply for student finance the better. This will help UWE Bristol to assess your eligibility for our UWE Cares bursary and waiving of the advanced rent payment for UWE Bristol accommodation. It will also enable us to give you the support you might need before you join us.
There is no age limit for student carers to receive the UWE Cares bursary. If you are not sure whether you are eligible or you are a current student and want to be assessed for support, please contact us at UWECares@uwe.ac.uk.
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Step 2
Please refer to our application guidance if you need help.
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Step 3
If you are a student carer, it's important that you let UWE Cares know you are coming to study with us at UWE Bristol. This helps us make sure you have all the information you need to access support and events when you begin your course.
If you are an applicant, you can fill out the survey we send to your UWE Welcome portal when you receive your offer or contact us at UWECares@uwe.ac.uk.
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Step 4
If you are eligible for the UWE Cares bursary, you will also be eligible for UWE Cares accommodation support.
When you choose UWE Bristol as your firm choice on UCAS, you’ll receive an email from our Admissions team inviting you to apply for student accommodation.
Guidance for prospective students
If you're thinking about studying at university and you are a student carer, the below resources can help:
- UCAS guide to support for student carers at university
- You may want to contact your council/local authority to request a Carer's Assessment before you start university so they know your home situation is changing. They can check your family is getting the right support so you can study.
Please tick the carer box on your UCAS application. This will help universities to offer you extra support.
"UWE Cares helped me so much. Knowing someone is there to help when I have worries makes a massive difference. Thanks so much!"
June BA(Hons) Architecture
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