AberCares
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We believe that anyone who would benefit from a university education should have access to one, regardless of their background. We hope that you will enjoy your experience at Aberystwyth university and are able to achieve your absolute best while studying with us. We are here to support you with every step of your journey, whatever your circumstances may be.
Asylum Seekers
We offer a variety of support for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and other people seeking Sanctuary in the UK.
We welcome people seeking safety and want to create a feeling of inclusion by encouraging the acceptance of culture, skills and differences.
We are in the process of pursuing University of Sanctuary status, an initiative that recognises the good practice of universities in welcoming, supporting and empowering people seeking sanctuary. It is our aim to attract and recruit students with academic potential, regardless of background or personal experience.
Is this support for you?
There are a number of different official status options. The following list offers a simple overview and you can find further details on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
- Asylum Seeker: you are applying for asylum, or you are waiting for a decision by the UK government.
- Refugee: you have been given permission to stay in the UK and granted official ‘refugee’ status. You have a letter from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm this.
- Humanitarian Protection: you have permission to stay in the UK for humanitarian reasons. You have a letter from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm this.
- Limited Leave to Remain (LLR) or discretionary leave to remain (DLR): you have been given permission to stay temporarily in the UK. You have a letter from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm this.
Receiving a Home Office decision
We advise that if there are any changes to your status while you are studying to let us know as soon as possible.
If your asylum application is granted during your course of study at the University, your fee status will change to home student with effect from the following academic year.
This would be the case for those:
- granted refugee status
- granted humanitarian protection
- granted discretionary leave
- whose parents, spouse or civil partner are recognised as a refugee by the UK Government
- granted humanitarian protection
- granted discretionary leave and who meet the ‘family condition’ on the date of the family member’s asylum application.
Funding is available from Student Finance if you receive a positive asylum application outcome.
If your asylum application is refused during your course of study at the university:
- your fee status will remain as international student
- the time limit on any Visa or Leave to Remain will be monitored and applied in line with Home Office regulations.
Aberystwyth University Support
Marion Thomson is the dedicated contact for Asylum Seekers and Refugees and offers the following support throughout your studies:
- Sign posting towards other university teams such as our Accessibility Team, Wellbeing Team, Visa advisor, and our Advice and Money team.
- A Signpost mentor may be useful to help you settle down in University life, help with time management advise and organisation skills development. If you want to find out more, please email signpost@aber.ac.uk
- Dedicated career and employability support is available through our Career Readiness Support programme - Career Readiness Support : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
Accommodation
Summer Accommodation is available in the University for Asylum seekers to apply for on the accommodation webpage.
Sanctuary Scholarship
Our Sanctuary Scholarships are for those from forced migrant backgrounds who face a barrier to accessing university because Home Office regulations surrounding their immigration status prevent them from accessing funding from Student Finance. Sanctuary Scholarship only applies to those currently domiciled in the UK.
Other Support options and useful web pages
Other universities also offer scholarships
Get help as a refugee or asylum seeker | British Red Cross
London Asylum Crisis Project - Refugee Action (refugee-action.org.uk)
Asylum seeker support | The Salvation Army
Support - Birmingham City of Sanctuary
Shelter Legal England - Accommodation for asylum seekers - Shelter England - needs to meet UKVI conditions
Care Leavers
At Aberystwyth University we offer a variety of support and help to Care Experienced students. We are committed to helping more Care Experienced people and Care Leavers go to university.
We are a member of Care Leaver Activities and Student Support network in Wales (CLASS Cymru) founded and chaired by staff at Cardiff University. This network shares best practice, resources and training to improve the student experience for care experienced and care leavers in Wales.
Is this support for you?
Our support package is available to the following categories of full-time, UK-domiciled students:
| Category | Defined as | Evidence required |
|---|---|---|
| Care Leavers | Students under the age of 25 who have been in the care of their Local Authority for a period of at least 13 weeks from the age of 14 up to starting their course. |
Confirmation of your circumstances via a letter from your Local Authority (LA) or Care Authority, confirming you were under the care of your LA for a period of at least 13 weeks from the age of 14, have now left the care of the LA, and are a care leaver as defined in the Children (Leaving Care) Act. |
Aberystwyth University support
If you’ve ticked the box on your UCAS application form to indicate that you are a care leaver we will get in touch with you when we receive your application. You can also self-refer by completing our Care Leavers, Young Carers and Estranged Students Bursary application form.
Marion Thomson is the dedicated contact for Care Leavers and offers the following support throughout your studies:
- Sign posting towards other university teams such as our Accessibility Team, Wellbeing Team, Visa advisor, and our Advice and Money team.
- A Signpost mentor will be offered to help you settle down in University life, help with time management advise and organisation skills development.
- Dedicated career and employability support is available to care experienced students through our Career Readiness Support programme - Career Readiness Support : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
Accommodation
Summer Accommodation is available in the University for Care Leavers to apply for on the accommodation webpage.
If/when you move into private accommodation in your second year, please ask us if you are struggling to provide a guarantor. We are looking to set up a university guarantor scheme but for now we can provide you with confirmation of your payment history at the university, if you need us to. Please contact us if you want to discuss this further mnt@aber.ac.uk
Extra funding
If you receive the care leaver bursary, we will also be able to offer you our graduation package which includes £100 to help towards hire of graduation gown/photo package.
Other useful links
Thrive: the magazine for young people | The Fostering Network
https://housinghand.co.uk/university-guarantor-service/
Estranged
At Aberystwyth University we offer a variety of support and help to Estranged Students.
We are committed to working towards creating the right environment and conditions for estranged students to complete their courses by continually improving the support we have in place.
Is this support for you
The term estranged means a person who no longer has the support of their parents, and often also other family members, due to a permanent breakdown in their relationship which has led to ceased contact. This might mean your biological, step or adoptive parents or wider family members who have been responsible for supporting you in the past.
Our support package is available to the following category of full-time, UK-domiciled students:
| Category | Defined as | Evidence required |
|---|---|---|
| Estranged Students | Students under the age of 25 who no longer have the support of their family due to a breakdown in their relationship which has led to ceased contact. Students who are estranged have no communicative relationship with any parent, and often their wider family networks as well. | Confirmation of your circumstances via your Student Finance assessment, or a letter from a professional who is aware of your family circumstances. |
Aberystwyth University Support
If you have ticked the box at UCAS application form to indicate that you are estranged we will get in touch with you when we receive your application. You can also self-refer by completing our Care Leavers, Young Carers and Estranged Students Bursary application form.
Marion Thomson is the dedicated contact for Estranged students, we offer the following support throughout your studies:
- Sign posting towards other university teams such as our Accessibility Team, Wellbeing Team, Visa advisor, and our Advice and Money team.
- A Signpost mentor will be offered to help you settle down in University life, help with time management advise and organisation skills development.
- Dedicated career ad employability support is available through our Career Readiness Support programme - Career Readiness Support : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
Accommodation
Summer Accommodation is available in the University for Estranged students to apply for on the accommodation webpage.
If/when you move into private accommodation in your second year, please ask us if you are struggling to provide a guarantor. We are looking to set up a university guarantor scheme but for now we can provide you with confirmation of your payment history at the university, if you need us to. Please contact us if you want to discuss this further mnt@aber.ac.uk .
Extra funding
If you receive the Estranged student bursary, we will also be able to offer you our graduation package which includes £100 to help towards hire of graduation gown/photo package.
Other useful links
https://housinghand.co.uk/university-guarantor-service/
Student Parents
Whether you already have a child or are about to become a parent, a wealth of services are available to support your study with us.
We believe that being pregnant, adopting or caring for a child should not in itself be a barrier to applying for, starting or succeeding in a programme of study. We strive to be as flexible as possible in any such situation.
The university has a Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Adoption and Parental Leave Policy
Breastfeeding, Expressing and Bottle-feeding facilities
Further information: Feeding your Baby
The University campuses are entirely breastfeeding friendly and there are no restrictions on bottle or breastfeeding. We recognise that sometimes parents may prefer a private, quiet and safe space to feed (by bottle or breast) or to express.
There are dedicated milk expressing/breastfeeding rooms to support staff and students who are breastfeeding or for private rest facilities for pregnant colleagues. All students and staff members can use these facilities.
Government Funded Childcare
Government funded childcare for 3-4 year olds - The Childcare Offer for Wales provides for up to 30 hours of government funded early education and childcare to 3 and 4 year old for 48 weeks per year.
Childcare Grant - Student Finance Wales
Childcare Grant - Student Finance England
Parents' Learning Allowance - Student Finance Wales
Parents’ Learning Allowance - Student Finance England
Aberystwyth University Support
- Sign posting towards other university teams such as our Accessibility Team, Wellbeing Team, Visa advisor, and our Advice and Money team.
- A Signpost mentor will be offered to help you settle down in University life, help with time management advise and organisation skills development.
- Dedicated career and employability support is available to care experienced students through our Career Readiness Support programme - Career Readiness Support : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
Other useful links
Refugees
We offer a variety of support for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and other people seeking Sanctuary in the UK.
We welcome people seeking safety and want to create a feeling of inclusion by encouraging the acceptance of culture, skills and differences.
Is this support for you?
There are a number of different official status options. The following list offers a simple overview and you can find further details on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
- Asylum Seeker: you are applying for asylum, or you are waiting for a decision by the UK government
- Refugee: you have been given permission to stay in the UK and granted official ‘refugee’ status. You have a letter from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm this
- Humanitarian Protection: you have permission to stay in the UK for humanitarian reasons. You have a letter from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm this
- Limited Leave to Remain (LLR) or discretionary leave to remain (DLR): you have been given permission to stay temporarily in the UK. You have a letter from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm this.
As a refugee living in the UK you will be classed as a home student and may be eligible for funding from Student Finance depending on your residency status. Student Finance England and Student Finance Wales list the residency criteria and who it applies to on their webpages.
Marion Thomson is the dedicated contact for Refugees and offers the following support throughout your studies:
- Sign posting towards other university teams such as our Accessibility Team, Wellbeing Team, Visa advisor, and our Advice and Money team.
- A Signpost mentor may be useful to help you settle down in University life, help with time management advise and organisation skills development. If you want to find out more, please email signpost@aber.ac.uk
- Dedicated career and employability support is available through our Career Readiness Support programme - Career Readiness Support : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
Accommodation
Summer Accommodation is available in the University for Refugees to apply for on the accommodation webpage.
If/when you move into private accommodation in your second year, please ask us if you are struggling to provide a guarantor. We are looking to set up a university guarantor scheme but for now we can provide you with confirmation of your payment history at the university, if you need us to. Please contact us if you want to discuss this futher mnt@aber.ac.uk.
Other Support options and useful web pages
Other universities also offer scholarships
Get help as a refugee or asylum seeker | British Red Cross
London Asylum Crisis Project - Refugee Action (refugee-action.org.uk)
Young Adult Carers
At Aberystwyth University we offer a variety of support and help to Young Adult Carers. We are committed to helping more care experienced people to go to university.
We are a member of Ceredigion Carers Alliance and we meet with them regularly and are able to pass on information to help our student carers manage their studies alongside their caring role.
Is this support for you?
Our support package is available to the following category of full-time, UK-domiciled students:
| Category | Defined as | Evidence required |
|---|---|---|
| Young Adult Carers | Students under the age of 25 with significant responsibility for providing unpaid care to a family member who cannot cope without their support. This may be due to illness, disability, a mental health issue or substance misuse | Confirmation of your status as a Young Adult Carer via the relevant Student Finance body, or a letter from your Local Authority/Social Services or Carer’s Support Group. Carers are not permitted to be in receipt of the Carers Allowance alongside this bursary. |
Aberystwyth University Support
If you have ticked the box at UCAS application form to indicate that you are a care leaver we will get in touch with you when we receive your application. You can also self-refer by completing our Care Leavers, Young Carers and Estranged Students Bursary application form.
Marion Thomson is the dedicated contact for Young Adult Carers and offers the following support throughout your studies:
- Sign posting towards other university teams such as our Accessibility Team, Wellbeing Team, Visa advisor, and our Advice and Money team.
- A Signpost mentor will be offered to help you settle down in University life, help with time management advise and organisation skills development.
- Dedicated career and employability support is available through our Career Readiness Support programme - Career Readiness Support : Student Services , Aberystwyth University
Accommodation
Summer Accommodation is available in the University for Care Experienced students to apply for on the accommodation webpage.
If/when you move into private accommodation in your second year, please ask us if you are struggling to provide a guarantor. We are looking to set up a university guarantor scheme but for now we can provide you with confirmation of your payment history at the university, if you need us to. Please contact us if you want to discuss this further mnt@aber.ac.uk.
Extra funding
If you receive the young adult carer bursary, we will also be able to offer you our graduation package which includes £100 to help towards hire of graduation gown/photo package.