Care Experienced Bursary 2025

The Care Experienced Bursary 2025 at the University of Essex is a financial support initiative designed to enhance accessibility and widen participation for students who have been in UK local authority care. As part of the university’s commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds, this bursary provides up to £1,500 to new or continuing undergraduate or postgraduate students who were in care at any point in their lives for any duration. The University of Essex, located in Colchester, is recognized for its inclusive environment and global community, ranking 30th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025). The bursary supports students without family support, helping them succeed in their academic journey. It opens for applications after the first term and is distinct from the Estranged Bursary, which has separate eligibility criteria.

The application process is managed through the University of Essex’s Blackbullion online money management platform. Follow these steps:

1. Review Eligibility: Ensure you meet the care experienced criteria and check the full terms and conditions for 2025-26 at www.essex.ac.uk (available closer to the application window).

2. Register on Blackbullion: Create an account on the Blackbullion platform (linked via the Essex Student Services Hub) using your university email.

3. Access Application:

   • Navigate to the ‘Funding’ tab and select ‘UoE Care Experienced and Estranged Bursary.’

   • The application portal opens after the first term (typically November/December 2025; exact date to be confirmed).

4. Complete Application Form: Provide personal details, academic information, and evidence of care experience.

5. Submit Supporting Evidence:

   • Signed declaration form (available on Blackbullion or the Essex website).

   • Proof of care experience (e.g., letter from the local authority confirming time in care, social worker verification, or court documents).

6. Submit Application: Review and submit via Blackbullion by the deadline (to be announced, likely January 2026).

7. Verification Process:

   • The Student Services Hub verifies care experience and enrollment status.

   • Applicants may be contacted for additional evidence or clarification.

8. Notification: Successful applicants are notified via their Essex email by the end of the application cycle (typically February/March 2026).

• Application Window: Opens after the first term (expected November/December 2025) and closes in January 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed on www.essex.ac.uk).

• Supporting Evidence Submission: Must accompany the application by the closing date.

• Notification: February/March 2026 (via Essex email).

• Disbursement: Typically after verification, starting March/April 2026.

• Enrollment Deadline: Students must be enrolled by the start of the 2025-26 academic year (October 2025 for most programs).

• Note: Deadlines are subject to change. Check the University of Essex website or contact studentserviceshub@essex.ac.uk for updates.

• Student Services Hub:

  • Email: studentserviceshub@essex.ac.uk

  • Phone: +44 (0) 1206 874000

  • Address: University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom.

• General Inquiries:

  • Email: enquiries@essex.ac.uk

  • Undergraduate Admissions: admit@essex.ac.uk

  • Postgraduate Admissions: pgadmit@essex.ac.uk

• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (GMT).

• Website: www.essex.ac.uk

To be eligible for the Care Experienced Bursary 2025, applicants must:

• Be a new or continuing full-time or part-time registered student at the University of Essex for the 2025-26 academic year.

• Be eligible for UK home fees and funding and be ordinarily resident in the UK (overseas and EU students are not eligible).

• Be undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate study (including taught or research programs) at any Essex campus (Colchester, Southend, or Loughton).

• Have been in UK local authority care at any point in their life for any period of time, defined as:

  • Being ‘looked after’ for at least 13 weeks by a UK local authority since the age of 14, and in care on or after their 16th birthday, or

  • Having any care experience, including shorter periods or at younger ages, as per the broader ‘care experienced’ definition.

• Bursary Amount: Up to £1,500, awarded as a one-time payment or split across the academic year, depending on university policy.

• Disbursement: Paid directly to the student’s bank account via bank transfer after verification of eligibility and enrollment, typically after the first term.

• Duration: Non-renewable for the academic year but reapplicable in subsequent years if the student remains eligible and enrolled.

• Note: The bursary is intended to cover living or study-related expenses (e.g., accommodation, books). It does not cover tuition fees, which are typically funded through UK student loans for eligible students. The exact amount may vary based on funding availability and applicant numbers.

• Completed online application form via Blackbullion.

• Signed declaration form (provided on the Blackbullion platform).

• Proof of care experience, such as:

  • Letter from the UK local authority confirming time in care (e.g., dates and duration).

  • Verification from a social worker or care professional.

  • Court documents or other official records of care status.