The Unite Foundation are delighted to announce a new scholarship partnership with University of London and The Portal Trust.

Part of our ‘Home at University’ match funding initiative and the University of London Scholars programme, the scholarships are open to care experienced and estranged students applying for their first year of undergraduate study at one of the University of London’s member institutions.

There are nine scholarships available, with at least three places reserved for students from the 14 London Boroughs where the Portal Trust has a specific interest. These boroughs include: Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster and the City of London.

We would like to thank both The University of London and The Portal Trust for their work in creating these new scholarships, allowing more care experienced and estranged students to equitably benefit from everything uni life has to offer.

Unite Foundation Director Fiona Ellison said:

“We’re delighted to be working with The Portal Trust and the University of London on offering these new scholarships. Recent data released by The Student Loans Company shows that one in five of all care leaver and estranged students have chosen to go to university in London. We’re therefore excited that these scholarships will unlock more opportunities for the significant number of care experienced and estranged students who choose to access higher education in London.”

Professor Wendy Thomson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, said:

“We believe that everyone should have access to higher education, regardless of their family background or circumstances. Students who are care experienced or estranged often face additional challenges in attending university compared to their peers, including securing safe and stable accommodation for all years of their degrees.

“We are grateful to the Unite Foundation and their funding partners for helping us to ease some of the hurdles disadvantaged students face and supporting us in our mission to make education accessible to all.”

Richard Foley, Chief Executive of the Portal Trust said:

“We shouldn’t underestimate the impact or the stability of being able to call a place ‘home’, has on young people leaving care for the first time. Being able to walk into a home without the worry of meeting the cost, is a crucial first step on the path toward addressing the problems faced by young people leaving care and supporting them through their educational journey.

“The Portal Trust aims to help improve outcomes for care experienced students and is pleased to be able to work collaboratively with the University of London and the Unite Foundation in supporting this strategic project.”

For more information about how to apply for the scholarship here.