Strathclyde Cares

Strathclyde Cares programme

Have you ever stayed in residential or foster care? Have you been cared for by friends or relatives, or cared for at home? Have you thought about attending university?

Strathclyde Cares was awarded the Buttle UK Quality Mark at 'exemplary' status. We achieved The Guardian University Award in 2018 in the Retention, Support and Student Outcomes award, a recognition of which we are proud of.

At Strathclyde, we encourage applications to study from care leavers and anyone who has previously been cared for by a local authority.

We were the first educational institution in Scotland to sign up as an 'official friend' of Who Cares? Scotland. 

The Strathclyde Cares programme, a UK first, helps students from care throughout their Higher Education journey. We're here to help you from pre-application to studying and from graduation to beyond.

As part of Strathclyde Cares, you'll enjoy:

  • Named Care Experience Adviser offering pre and post application support
  • Guaranteed offer when meeting minimum entry requirements
  • Transition event to introduce you to the University and find out more about support available
  • support from a member of staff through our one-to-one mentoring programme
  • the opportunity to become a paid student ambassador
  • priority for residential and educational trips
  • support with Digital Inclusion eg laptop
  • get involved with our Care Experienced Student Society
  • help with graduation costs
  • help with accommodation options
  • funding opportunities 

Find out more below about the application process and life at Strathclyde.

You can also access information from Propel Scotland. This is an online resource for care-experienced youngsters and the carers and professionals who support them.

The website offers information on key issues such as funding and accommodation in both further and higher education. It also compares course information from every further education college in Scotland and 94% of all universities in the UK.

Support for applicants and students

At Strathclyde Cares we offer a wealth of support for applicants and students under our Strathclyde Cares banner. Some of our support includes:

  • In collaboration with our Students' Union, we host a Christmas dinner party over the festive period, where each student receives a pre-cooked Christmas dinner and takes part in games and quizzes.
  • CE students are prioritised for Christmas goodie bags distributed by the Student Union containing gifts and vouchers.
  • CE students are prioritised in our Digital Inclusion scheme, to receive a laptop loan and/or a Wi-Fi grant.
  • We launched our Corporate Parenting video for staff, students, and prospective students produced by Articulate The video was created by both CE young people and Strathclyde students and staff, to better understand what care experience and corporate parenting mean.
  • We also launched our new Care Experience Policy for Staff and Students.
Strathclyde students

Student life

From contacts and mentors to the student support service, we're here to ensure you have the best possible experience at Strathclyde.

Discover more about student life.

Digital image of teacher and pupils

Applying

We're here to help you throughout the application process. Find out more about the support we offer and information on study options.

Student village accommodation

Accommodation

Where you'll stay is a key part of your student experience. Our accommodation team will be happy to discuss requirements with you.

Find out more about our accommodation options.

Money, charts and calculator

Finance

There are a number of ways you can support your studies financially, such as the SAAS Care Experienced Student Bursary.

Take a look at some of your financial options and find out who to speak to for financial support.

Pre-Entry Access Course 2024

Would you like to study for an university degree but don’t have the necessary qualifications? Find out more about our evening Pre-Entry Access course which is now open for 2024 applications.

National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL)

The University of Strathclyde is a member of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) who are committed to supporting care experienced students in further and higher education.