For most students, starting university, college or an apprenticeship is a chance to explore new interests, opportunities, and experiences. For students from a care background, it can be even more momentous, marking a new beginning – yet a new UCAS report published today shows they must overcome considerable challenges to reach this next chapter.
More than 80,000 students have reported a care background since the question was first added to the UCAS application in 2008. In that time, progress has been made across the higher education sector, with welcome initiatives introduced to help improve progression such as offer-making policies, financial bursaries and year-round accommodation.
In Scotland, higher education institutions guarantee offers to care experienced applicants who meet minimum entry requirements. But as our latest Next Steps report – published in partnership with Unite Foundation – shows, there is still a long way to go to ensure higher education is seen as both a viable and accessible choice for care experienced students.
