Unite Foundation scholarship expansion scheme

Supporting more estranged and care experienced students with a free #HomeAtUniversity

Having somewhere to call home matters. Since 2012 the Unite Foundation has provided a free #HomeAtUniversity for estranged and care experienced students through a unique accommodation scholarship. 

In 2022, as we turned 10, we commissioned JISC to carry out an independent comparative analysis of a decade worth of data. The research found strong evidence that our scholarship positively impacts student progression, completion rates and degree outcomes.

+ Unite Foundation students stay on course

Scholarship students progressed from 1st to 2nd year of study at the same rate as non-care leaver students.

+ Unite Foundation students get their degrees

Scholarship students completed their degree closer to the rate of non-care leavers.

+ Unite Foundation students get ‘good honours’ degrees

Scholarship students were within 3 percentage points of non-care leaver students in getting 1st or 2:1 class degrees.

In other words, providing a free #HomeAtUniversity for care experienced and estranged students works.*

In 2021, we announced our ambition to significantly increase scholarship provision with a commitment to building our evidence base and proving that the costs of university accommodation provision are outweighed by the transformative, academic, and financial value of students staying on course and completing their studies; testing and building the business case for all HE providers to offer a #HomeAtUniversity as standard support.  

Funding opportunity 

We have an opportunity for more universities to join our network and provide a free #HomeAtUniversity for estranged and care experienced students in 2024, advancing their outcomes through support we know works. 

This is a match funding opportunity with selected universities providing 1/3rd of tenancy costs in cash or in kind, to ensure each student experiences a rent-free home at university.    

For more information, please download our guidance document and FAQs.

Apply here by midnight 20th November 2023.

General information online sessions will be available for questions:

Tuesday 31st October               12 – 1pm

Thursday 9th November           3 – 4pm 

To book onto either of these events, or for additional information please contact us on info@unitefoundation.org.uk  

*Read the full report with executive summary, methodology and detailed findings here.