Student experience

We recognise the unique challenges faced by care leavers when they enter higher education. Support is offered to care leavers prior to applying through to graduation.

If you are considering a higher education course and need more information, advice or guidance before you apply you can contact Lee Byrne, from the Admissions Team, who is there to help you. Additionally, visit one of our University Open days, where you can get a feel for university life.

There is currently a wide range of help available including:

Help with your university application
If you are interested in applying to the university you can meet with Lee Byrne, our designated Admissions Administrator who can offer you pre-entry support. Lee can help you with advice on university applications, interview, audition or portfolio skills and writing your personal statement. Lee can also talk to our accommodation team on your behalf.

Lee is based at our High Wycombe Campus and is available via phone, email or by prior arrangement on a one-to-one basis. Please contact Lee by emailing lee.byrne@bucks.ac.uk or call 0800 0565 660 ext 3455.

Further support is also available from Heather Boyd, from our Careers Service. Heather can provide pre-entry careers support. For more information email heather.boyd@bucks.ac.uk, or call 0800 0565 660 ext 3595.

Accommodation support
We can provide you with accommodation for the full 365 days of the year. Ideally the accommodation provided by us will be your first choice, but if this is not possible our Accommodation Service will be happy to talk you through the other options. The team will be able to assist you in arranging suitable alternative accommodation. For further information please contact the Accommodation Service on 01494 603 063, or email accommodation@bucks.ac.uk.

Please note that the above is subject to Bucks New University being selected as your firm choice on your UCAS form. You also need to meet all university course entry requirements and have received an unconditional offer.

Every care leaver applicant interested in university accommodation should complete and submit the accommodation application form which will automatically be sent out during July. When completing the form you should identify yourself as a care leaver in the ‘special circumstances’ section. 

Financial support
We have a range of different packages at Bucks to support our students, please contact us for details of we can help.

Mentors
We now offer one-to-one mentoring support to care leavers. You can request a mentor and will be assigned a member of staff to provide mentoring for your entire time at university. Your mentors will provide support, advice, advocacy and a first point of contact for any questions about study or university life in general.

For more information about the mentoring scheme contact Sukhie Mattu by emailing sukhie.mattu@bucks.ac.uk or call 0800 0565 660 ext 5032.

Support services within the University
We offer various services and support to students at the University, including a Counselling Service, Disability Service, Students' Union Advice Centre, Careers & Employability, Multi-faith, Accommodation Service and Learning Development Unit.

In addition to these services we have created the Student Centre to give you easier access to the help you may need during your time at Bucks.

Activities and events for care leavers
In addition to our University Open days we also offer a summer school for care leavers in addition to the existing Summer School programmes, which can offer an introduction to university life.

We are also developing a bespoke event for care leaver applicants to university, which will help if you would just like to find out more about studying at university and the support available. Please contact Adele Ruston, adele.ruston@bucks.ac.uk, for further details or to register your interest.

I’m a teacher and one of my students is in/has been in care
Alison Cooper will be able to discuss how Bucks can help your pupil; please email alison.cooper@bucks.ac.uk or call 01494 605 256.

I'm a Social Worker or a Looked After Children Project Worker
Alison Cooper will be able to discuss how we can help your ward; please email alison.cooper@bucks.ac.uk or call 01494 605 256.

I’m a care leaver who is about to enter Bucks New University/am already a student at Bucks
Sukhie Mattu is available if you would like advice in confidence. Please email sukhie.mattu@bucks.ac.uk or call on 0800 0565 660 ext 5032.