Support for care experienced and estranged students
UEA is committed to supporting students with experience of living in care and those with limited family support.
The Care Experienced & Estranged Student (CEES) Network offers dedicated support, university updates, social events, welcome gifts, and a friendly ear. Feel free to contact the team at any point during your journey to university, and find out about the support on offer:
- Contact Lucy Kemp & Liz Ferguson at cees@uea.ac.uk
- Book an informal video chat with Liz.
- Still making up your mind about whether uni is for you? Consider booking an individual Student Shadowing visit, or attend one of our Open Days.
If you choose to join UEA and let us know that you’re care experienced or estranged, you’ll receive regular CEES Network mailings. We’re keen to ensure students know about all the opportunities and support available to them, so we’ll send updates about funding, activities and events, jobs on campus, and more. Liz also works regularly at the Student Information Zone (SIZ) on campus, so current students can pre-book an appointment or drop in to chat.
UEA offers a Care Leaver and Estranged Student bursary to eligible students. The full details, including eligibility criteria, can be found on UEA’s bursaries webpage. If you have any concerns about your finances during your studies, UEA's Student Life Finance team will be available for practical, non-judgmental, and confidential advice.
Students who are irreconcilably estranged from their parents and not receiving financial support from them can apply for independent student status with Student Finance. Download our guide to finance for estranged students and email Liz at cees@uea.ac.uk if you have questions before you arrive.
Students can apply for year-round accommodation if they would prefer to remain in student residences throughout the summer break; watch out for emails from the Accommodation team during your first year.