Student Carers

A student with caring responsibilities is someone who looks after a relative or friend of any age who needs support because of a disability, a long‑term or terminal illness, a mental health difficulty, or an alcohol or drug dependency. Student carers may be balancing university life with significant responsibilities at home, such as providing emotional or practical support, helping someone manage day‑to‑day tasks, or coordinating medical or social care. 

Alongside this broader group, we also recognise the nationally used definition of a young adult carer. According to Carers Trust, there are at least 376,000 young adult carers in the UK, “young adult carers are young people aged 16–25 who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness or disability, mental health condition or an addiction.” 

At Winchester, our support extends to all students who provide care, whatever their age, background or caring situation. We recognise that caring responsibilities can bring additional pressures during university life, and we are committed to offering understanding, flexibility and tailored support whenever it is needed.

At the University of Winchester, we are proud to be one of only 25 universities participating in the Driving Change in Higher Education project, led by the Learning and Work Institute and Carers Trust. This national initiative supports universities to review and strengthen the ways they identify and support young adult carers, ensuring these students feel recognised and supported throughout their higher education journey.

To reflect this work, we are committed to:
Identifying and engaging with students who have caring responsibilities early and consistently, so support can be offered throughout their time with us. 

Enhancing financial, wellbeing and practical support, helping reduce barriers that students with caring responsibilities often face. 

Raising awareness across the University, so staff understand the pressures facing student carers and feel confident supporting them. 

Embedding clear policies and processes to ensure support is visible, coordinated and easy to access for all students with caring responsibilities. 

Working collaboratively with sector partners, contributing to shared learning and national efforts to improve support for young adult carers and students with caring responsibilities.

The activities we will undertake to ensure we deliver on our commitments will be outlined in an Action Plan developed during our submission to the Carers Federation Quality Standard in Carer Support accreditation.   

At the University of Winchester, we are committed to ensuring that student carers can access higher education through inclusive, supportive and equitable pathways. Our work spans outreach, admissions, partnerships and practitioner development, ensuring that applicants are supported at every stage of their journey.

Contextual Admissions and Supported Application Routes
As part of our Discover Winchester Scheme, eligible applicants may receive a contextualised offer of up to 16 UCAS points below the standard tariff range, and a Travel Bursary to support attendance at an Experience Winchester Day. 

Targeted Outreach, Bespoke Visits and IAG
Young carers (under 16) and young adult carers (aged 16–25) are priority groups within our targeted outreach work with partner schools and colleges. We offer bespoke campus visits and personalised information, advice and guidance (IAG), developed in collaboration with young carer projects and charities, local authorities, schools and colleges. 

Strategic Networks and Sector Partnerships
Winchester is an active member of the National Young Carers Alliance and works closely with the Hampshire Young Carers Projects and the Southern Universities Network. We are proud to be one of the first universities to recognise and support young adult carers within our widening access and participation work, and we have been recognised nationally for our advocacy in securing their inclusion in UCAS’s tick‑box and wider WP target groups. Through these partnerships and sector contributions, we help ensure that young people with caring responsibilities are supported to access and progress into higher education.

If you would like to find out more about our access, outreach and partnership work, please email wp@winchester.ac.uk 

At the University of Winchester, we are committed to providing a welcoming, supportive and empowering environment for all students with caring responsibilities. We understand that student carers may face additional challenges, both financial and personal, and we aim to offer tailored support to help them thrive throughout their university journey.

All students who identify as student carers have access to a comprehensive package of support, including:

Dedicated Named Contact
A specialist member of the Student Journey team provides consistent guidance from pre‑arrival through to graduation, helping students navigate university processes, settle into university life, access specialist services, and receive ongoing wellbeing and practical support. 

Financial Support
Student carers may be eligible for the Widening Participation Bursary, which provides £750 per full time academic year, and depending on circumstances they can also access emergency hardship funds, the Winchester Employability Fund, guidance on Student Finance applications, and support with applying for external grants and charitable funding. Further details about the funding available and how to apply is available on our Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards webpage.

Placement Support
Where possible, our placement teams take students’ caring commitments into account and work with them to make reasonable adjustments, helping ensure placements remain accessible, manageable and supportive.

Practical and Academic Support
 We offer help with academic skills, budgeting and day‑to‑day planning, and we also provide guidance on careers development and support with finding part‑time employment.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support
 Students can access counselling and mental health services, attend wellbeing workshops or one‑to‑one sessions, and receive advice on managing stress, transitions and independence. 

For support or further information, please contact StudentSupport@winchester.ac.uk 

Carers Trust provides a wide range of resources and information for anyone looking after a family member or friend. Their website also includes a benefits calculator to help you understand what financial support you may be entitled to.

Learning & Work Institute offers guidance, research and practical resources for young adult carers, particularly around learning, skills and employment.

Mobilise supports people who care for a family member or friend with a disability, long‑term illness or age‑related needs. 

MYTIME supports young carers up to the age of 25. Their online toolkit provides useful links, resources and sources of support to help young carers access the advice and guidance they need.

UCAS offers guidance for applicants with caring responsibilities, including how to share your circumstances in your application and the support you can expect during the admissions process.