Below you will find information on the Care Experienced Bursary along with criteria, how to apply and evidence required. This year applications are welcome online from new applicants. If you were previously in receipt of the bursary you do not need to reapply - Julie-Ann or Sinead will contact you directly to confirm your student details.
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Care Experienced Bursary criteria
Recipients of the bursary will be awarded £1000 per annum, payable in two instalments during the academic year- one during the first semester, and one during the second semester, for the duration of their course of study at Queen’s University Belfast (subject to satisfactory academic progress).
As an undergraduate student, the bursary is available if you are:
- UK domiciled
- normally under 25 years*
- pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree at Queen’s University Belfast
- able to demonstrate that you were in the care of a Health and Social Care Trust or Local Authority for three months or more at any time
As a postgraduate student, the bursary is available if you are:
- UK domiciled
- normally under 25 years*
- pursuing a full postgraduate course at Queen’s University Belfast
- have completed an undergraduate degree within the last two years
- able to demonstrate that you were in the care of a Health and Social Care Trust or Local Authority for three months or more at any time
*Students who are over 25 years, and meet all the other criteria of the Care Experienced Bursary, can apply to be considered for the bursary payment if they are in financial difficulty. Staff in Widening Participation Unit will consult with Student Finance and look at each application on a case by case basis. You may be asked to submit further information/evidence in support of your application.
** evidence can be submitted by any professional body if Health & Social Care Trust or Local Authority cannot provide evidence to WPU in timely matter - Information for new students (2022-23 entry)
Students who have indicated on their UCAS form that they are care experienced will be invited to a one to one support meeting with Julie-Ann Hamilton or Sinead O'Kane. Students can complete the Care Experienced Bursary application form using the relevant link below (online or paper based). Students can then take their supporting evidence to their support meeting with Julie-Ann or Sinead.
Students who have not included this information on their UCAS application, but believe they are eligible for the bursary can still apply, by getting in contact with Julie-Ann Hamilton at: j.a.hamilton@qub.ac.uk or Sinead O'Kane at: s.okane@qub.ac.uk to arrange a support meeting.
- Information for returning students (previously in receipt of bursary)
If you were previously in receipt of the bursary you still need to submit a new application. However, you do not need to resubmit your evidence from your Trust/Local Authority.
- Evidence of Care Experience to accompany your application
You will need to provide a letter from a social worker, personal adviser or other appropriate practitioner confirming that you are a care leaver.
The letter must:
- be on headed paper
- contain your full name and date-of-birth
- provide the contact details of the person writing the letter
Please note: incomplete evidence will delay the application process. If you have been awarded the bursary in previous years, there is no need to resubmit your evidence**.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie-Ann Hamilton: j.a.hamilton@qub.ac.uk or Sinead O'Kane: s.okane@qub.ac.uk
**evidence can be submitted by any professional body if Health & Social Care Trust or Local Authority cannot provide evidence to WPU in timely matter
- Further financial information and advice
Further financial information and advice, including information on other scholarships, bursaries and advice on budgeting can be found here
Care Experienced Bursary
Online Application
Care Experienced Bursary
Care Leaver Bursary Paper Form