1. Student
The University of Law is committed to supporting care experienced students during their journey into higher education and throughout their studies. We realise that enrolling at university can be nerve-wracking and we’re here to support all students during transition, enrolment and right through to graduation.
At ULaw, we offer tailored support to any student who has spent any time in local authority care, not just those that are defined by the more restricted legal definition.
Our Domestic Student Recruitment team offers outreach sessions and activities for care experienced students such as campus visits and attendance at careers events. They also offer individual campus tours for any students interested in coming to study at one of our campuses.
We have a contextual admissions process in place for care experienced undergraduate students. If an applicant for one of our UG courses (excluding our degrees with foundation years) either ticks the ‘care leaver’ box in the UCAS form and/or details their experience in care in their personal statement we will make them a contextual offer of one grade lower than the standard offer for that course.
The University of Law’s unique teaching model is designed to provide students with a professional, contemporary and supportive learning environment with plenty of practical, interactive engagement. Our contact hours are high and our teaching groups are small. We also offer solicitor apprenticeships so students can learn on the job and earn at the same time.
Pre-entry, students also have access to our named contact, Helena Bowring, for support and advice. Helena can assist students with any queries or concerns and also put them in touch with the Welfare Officer at their campus. The Welfare Officers can meet students prior to induction, arrange campus visits and will always be there to help navigate the exciting opportunities on offer as well as providing advice and guidance should any issues arise.
Our Employability Service offers a guaranteed careers appointment to any student with any care experience within the first six weeks of commencing their course. Further, we guarantee to shortlist any such students who apply for internal roles, such as Employability Ambassador or Employability Summer Intern. We hope that such example will encourage other University departments and external recruiters to adopt a similar approach.
Our support to prospective students offers careers guidance to anyone who has committed to the course by paying a deposit. This requirement is waived for prospective students with care experience so that they can access advice before confirming their place.
All undergraduate students who are confirmed as being care experienced will have access to a bursary of up to £2000 per academic year of full-time study (part-time students will receive equivalent funding split over the duration of their programme). In previous years this has been used towards areas such as accommodation, help with day to day expenses such as food/travel and for equipment to assist with studies such as a laptop. We meet with students to discuss the options and what would assist most for their individual circumstances. This fund can also be used to help with graduation costs such as gowns, photography, etc.
We also have a number of other scholarships and bursaries which students can apply for: https://www.law.ac.uk/about/scholarships/.
2. A Robust Employment Offer
The University of Law welcome applicants from care experienced backgrounds. In our recruitment process we bear in mind an applicant’s experience in care when considering their prior work experience. We are also committed to supporting our members of staff who come from a care experienced background.
3. Community
Our Pro Bono provision is aimed at offering support to those in need of legal assistance and potential clients need to satisfy a number of pre-requisites. Where care experienced clients meet these criteria, we guarantee to take on their case.
Our Domestic Student Recruitment team work with virtual schools and care leaver organisations within the areas local to each of our campuses, promoting the benefits of higher education.
