Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme 2026/27

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1. What is the Unite Foundation Scholarship?


The scholarship gives care leaver/experienced and estranged students a free ensuite student bedroom in a purpose built halls of residence for a maximum of 3 years of their university life. No rent, no bills; 365 days a year for up to 3 years of eligible study.

2. Which universities are part of the 2026/27 network?

In order to apply and be eligible for a Unite Foundation Scholarship from 2026/27 onwards you must be applying to, or already attending, one of the following universities:

  • Aston University
  • Bath Spa University
  • Bournemouth University
  • De Montfort University
  • Edinburgh Napier University
  • Glasgow Caledonian University
  • King’s College London
  • Leeds Beckett University
  • Liverpool John Moores University
  • London Metropolitan University
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Queen Mary University of London
  • Sheffield Hallam University
  • University of Bristol 
  • University College London
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Portsmouth
  • University of Salford 
  • University of Sheffield
  • University of Strathclyde
  • University of the West of England
  • University of Westminster

    • Please Note: You must be studying/planning to study at the partner University campus and not a different location/branch/franchise or awarding body University. If you are unsure, please contact the Unite Foundation via info@unitefoundation.org.uk
    3. Who is eligible for a Unite Foundation scholarship?


    The Unite Foundation adopts the same definitions around care and estrangement that the different national governments use so that we can understand and communicate our impact in the same policy contexts.

     

    Please read the descriptions below very carefully to see if you meet the principal scheme criteria of care leaver, care experienced (Scotland), OR estranged.

    If you are unsure of your eligibility or the evidence documentation needed, please get in touch with Unite Foundation. We will be able to offer help with this application or give you advice on other avenues of support to pursue. Please contact Unite Foundation on info@unitefoundation.org.uk 

    Please Note: We do not provide scholarships for postgraduate courses, foundation years, second undergraduate degrees or second attempts at a first degree.


    Care Experienced (Scotland) 

    The Scottish authorities define a care experienced student as being aged 16 years or over and having at any time in their lives, been looked after by a Local Authority.


    Share your SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) letter confirming your Care Experience Students Bursary or alternatively provide an Local Authority  letter. Please ensure your Local Authority letter explicitly states, ‘care experienced’ OR ‘looked after’ OR ‘care leaver’ – if you are unsure, please send this application guidance to your Local Authority for assistance or again discuss with your University contact. 


    If you are unsure of how to apply for your Care Experience Students Bursary, please see the SAAS website for guidance and video support on applications or Appendix 1 for an example of an application screenshot. 


    If you are unable to provide confirmation of your SAAS Care Experience Students Bursary, as it has not yet been decided, please enclose a fully completed copy/screenshot of your application and supporting documents that you have submitted to SAAS.


    Please Note: You must provide evidence of successful application outcome before 1st September 2026 if successfully awarded a scholarship.



    Statutory Care Leaver (NI, Wales, England)

    Care Leaver is a legal status that can begin at age 16 and lasts until 25 if in Higher Education.  There are several different categories of Care Leaver, but all legal definitions are eligible for the Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme.


    Ask your Local Authority for a letter on headed paper confirming that you are a statutory care leaver; ideally stating which category you fall into, i.e. Relevant, Former Relevant, Eligible or Qualifying. Ask them to include in this letter the support they will provide for you whilst you are at university.  


    Alternatively, please provide a copy of your most recent national (Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales or Student Finance Northern Ireland) student finance award confirming explicitly you are in receipt of funds specifically for care leavers.


    Please Note: You must provide evidence of successful application outcome before 1st September 2026 if successfully awarded a scholarship.



    Estranged from family 


    If you are estranged from both of your biological parents, adoptive parents, or only living parent, you may be eligible to apply for the Unite Foundation Scholarship Scheme as an estranged student.  

    Student Finance (Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, Student Finance Wales) or Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), considers you an independent student on the basis of being estranged from your parents if you are permanently not in contact with your parents. 

    Please Note: You are not eligible to apply if you have been assessed as an independent student due to self-funding as a result of bereavement, marriage etc.

    For guidance on how to prove estrangement to Student Finance England, visit the SFE page,
    for Northern Ireland, visit the SFNI enquiries page, for Wales, visit the SFW page and for the SAAS in Scotland, visit the SAAS page

    Ask your student finance/award office for a document on headed paper stating that you have been assessed as an independent student on the basis of irreconcilable parental estrangement (we can accept an email copy of your confirmation of estranged status – please include the full email rather than a screenshot).  

    If you are unable to provide a supporting documents for estrangement as it has not yet been decided, please enclose the application and supporting documents that you have submitted to Student Finance to apply for independent status as an estranged young person.  

    Please Note: You must provide evidence of successful application outcome before 1st Sept 2026 if successfully awarded a scholarship.


    Additional Eligibility Criteria

    In addition to care or estranged status, applicants must also meet all of the following criteria:
    • Aged 25 or under on 1st September 2026; AND
    • Undertaking first attempt at, and only, course of undergraduate study; AND
    • NOT undertaking Foundation or Master's level study in the year beginning September 2026; AND
    • Studying at, or holding a firm choice offer from, a Unite Foundation partnership university; AND
    • UK home fee status student, i.e. not an international student; AND
    • In receipt of, or applying for, tuition fee and maintenance loans via Student Finance reflecting Care Leaver / Care Experience / Estranged student status for the full duration of your course (or NHS funding). 
    Please Note: Students undertaking a Foundation year in 2026/27 are NOT eligible to apply for this current application cycle but should consider application in 2027/28. Students that have had previous study at undergraduate level are NOT eligible. 

    If you are unsure of your eligibility, please email info@unitefoundation.org.uk 
    4. What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?


    In 2026/27 there are 70 Unite Foundation Scholarships available.

     

    In the 2025/26 cycle we received 406 eligible applications and awarded 70 scholarships.

    Therefore, just over 17% of eligible applications were successful.

     

    We are always oversubscribed and are not able to accurately predict the number of eligible applications we will receive. An application therefore represents a chance, but not a guarantee, of a scholarship.


    Please Note: Do not rely on the Unite Foundation Scholarship for your 2026/27 accommodation provision as sadly we cannot award all eligible applications.

    5. Timeline of Application Process


    The timeline and important dates for the 2026/27 application process:

    • 1st January 2026 – 19th June 2026
      • Scholarship applications can be completed, evidenced, and submitted.  Each university will need time to review your application and support you if you have any queries. 
    • Application Deadline - 23:59 on Friday 19th June 2026
      • You must submit a complete and properly evidenced application before 23:59 on Friday 19th June 2026.
    • 11:59 on Friday 26th June 2026
      • Deadline for applications to have been approved by universities (including all supporting evidence approved by the Unite Foundation).
    • Monday 6th July 2026
      • Confirmation of awards and reserve list detail communicated directly to student applicants and university partners by 3pm
    • July – August 2026
      • Accommodation arrangements made for awarded students.  
    • Until 11:59 on 1st September 2026
      • Reserve list, adjustment and clearing process period.
    Please Note: We cannot accept applications submitted after the Application Deadline of 23:59 on Friday 19th June 2026. Please make sure to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure that you can access any additional support you may require to complete the application.

    You can save your progress and resume at a later date. To do this click on save my progress and resume later. You will need to enter your email and a password. You will receive an email with url to resume. Please remember your email and password so you can access the form again. 

    If you have any questions about completing your application form, please feel free to email us at info@unitefoundation.org.uk
    If you are unsure of your year of study, please email the Unite Foundation directly via info@unitefoundation.org.uk
    You cannot apply for a scholarship to support you during a Foundation year.





    Home Address


    Current Address


    Emergency contact
    Students from all ranges of academic results are selected - please give an accurate estimation of your average GCSE/National 5 grades.

    Qualification/Certificate Subject Year Attained Grade(if attained)

    (i.e. GCSE/A Level/

    Nationals/Highers/

    BTecs etc.)

    IMPORTANT - Please rank the factors that influenced your choice of university. 

    (1st being the most important, 5th being the least important. Only use each rank once.)

    1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
    Part 3: Accommodation
    This section has no impact on the outcome of your application. If you are awarded a scholarship it will help us meet your housing needs smoothly to avoid unnecessary cost to you. (Remember that the scholarship is only a chance not a guarantee so you should always explore all your options for housing.)



    Part 4: Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
    This section will not influence the outcome of your application. The Unite Foundation uses Equal Opportunities Monitoring to ensure that the awarding of scholarships is in line with our Equality and Diversity commitments. This form is not mandatory.
    What is your ethnicity?

    Ethnic origin is not about nationality, place of birth or citizenship. It is about the group to which you perceive you belong. Please tick the appropriate box.




    Part 5: Data Handling

    The Unite Foundation scholarship scheme requires the Foundation, your university and accommodation provider to share your personal data. This is to enable administration of the scheme including contact details, tenancies, and year on year academic progression and enrolment.  In addition, we track all applicant outcomes for evaluation and research purposes.  Your information is never used for marketing. Read our privacy policy for full detail on how your data is processed.

      

    In the event of an incident, accident, or behaviour management issue that is considered a risk to your safety or wellbeing, the Foundation, your university and accommodation provider will share information according to your consent.


    Your data may be shared with accommodation providers if they have an offer that is time sensitive, significant and relevant to you.

    Part 6: Benefits and Responsibilities
    + If awarded a scholarship, and on becoming a Unite Foundation Scholar, you will be entitled to up to three years of free accommodation in a student accommodation building designated by the Unite Foundation.

    + The standard of free accommodation is a single occupancy, en-suite, bedroom in a purpose built student flat with a communal fitted kitchen; the flat will be shared with a mixture of other students most likely at the same university. Some buildings have different flat options (eg studio) that you can choose but may need to contribute toward.

    + Rooms in flats for scholarship students include all household bills, have wi-fi throughout and are served by maintenance and on-site support teams. Many buildings have other facilities like a laundry, fortnightly cleaning and bike storage. Flats are furnished and the buildings have areas suitable for both study and leisure.

    + For each year that you take up the free accommodation offer, your room will be available for the full calendar year; 365 or 366 days on leap years. Occasionally you might need to move flats temporarily to allow for maintenance and redecorating etc.

    + You will not require a rent guarantor, a deposit or any rent payments.

    + Once you become a scholarship students you can choose annually if you would like to take up the free accommodation offer. Your award entitles you to up to three years free accommodation. These do not need to be consecutive but you do need to remain eligible each year. Years of study that are excluded from support are:
                  o foundation year
                  o years involving study credits toward a Masters whether that be post graduate or integrated with a Bachelors
                  o resit years o repeat years arising as a result of changing courses
                  o years in which you are aged 26 or older on 1 September

    + If you get a job in a different city during the holidays or as a placement you can apply for free housing in an alternative student property – subject to availability – in your employer location

    Miscellaneous support

    Where appropriate the Foundation will make available opportunities or benefits provided by our donors and supporters. This may include items and activities geared toward making the most of your university experience.

    All care experienced and estranged students (regardless of whether they are awarded the UF scholarship or not) are invited to join the This Is Us student-led community on Mighty Networks. Join the community at Home | All of Us. 

    Responsibilities - Administration

    + Each year that you take the benefit of free accommodation you must sign the normal rental agreement for your room and abide by the standard terms and conditions of the tenancy. Breaking the tenancy agreement will most likely result in loss of your scholarship.

    + You will have read the privacy policy on applying to join the scholarship and must ensure that the Foundation team and your university always have up to date mobile and email contact details for you.

    + The Unite Foundation uses DocuSign.  This is a service for digital signature of documents that many of you will already be familiar with.  We will be using DocuSign to record that you have read our privacy policy which explains how and when we share your information with other people. Your signature will also confirm you have read, understood and accept the terms of the scholarship award in the event of you being selected.  You, the Unite Foundation and your university will receive a copy of this document for future reference.  If the privacy policy or terms of scholarship are updated you will be notified.   

     
    + You must respond to deadlines that you’ll be given for annual room bookings.

    + Any refunds or credit occurring on your tenancy account will remain the property of the Unite Foundation. The Unite Foundation is authorised to transfer any credit back to our account without the student’s permission.

    Responsibilities - University experience

    + You should stay in regular touch with your university named contact; – they are a brilliant source of information and support for all your academic, social and financial questions whilst at university. The Foundation University Partners can also manage queries about your scholarship.

    + You should respond to termly communications from the Foundation. These will be a mix of meeting the Foundation team, small surveys, a competition or two and chances to take part in Foundation activities like media or events. You can also get in touch with us for any questions related to the scholarship.

    Responsibilities - Scholarship scheme evaluation

    + As a registered charity we are continuously seeking to improve the way that we work so as to have a better impact on care leaver and estranged young students. In addition to tracking student outcomes nationally, each year we will conduct a survey that collects numeric and qualitative data. You must fill this in and should be completely honest so that the feedback can lead to improvements. We hope to keep in touch with you for up to two years after you graduate. Your feedback and progress can help improve the scheme and is invaluable to our development as a charity.

    + You could take part in Foundation student community activities developing ideas that improve Foundation communications, operations and fundraising or that improve the university experience for all care experienced or estranged students.
    Part 7: Declaration



    Read this.  When you click 'submit' you will have the chance to review your application and make any final changes. You can also print or save your completed application form. To save, go to 'print' on the next page save as a PDF file. VERY IMPORTANT  - after you've reviewed YOU NEED TO CLICK THE  'CONFIRM' BUTTON  to actually get your application submitted.
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