Genre: Instruction

Want to go to university? Look out for the Quality Mark The Quality Mark is a set of standards we at Buttle UK have created for you. Universities (and colleges) that sign up to the Quality Mark commit to supporting you when you apply to them and once you have started your course. We monitor how they perform to make sure you get what you need to study, succeed and move on to the next stage in your life. What can I expect? At the very least you should expect: A named contact . Every university with the Quality Mark has someone who is there to support Care Leavers. They will talk to you about what they can offer you. Money . Specific financial support for students who have been in care - this might be a bursary (money to help you during your course which you don't have to pay back), or advice about what extra funding you might be entitled to as a care leaver. Accommodation . All universities with the Quality Mark will be able to help you get somewhere to stay throughout your course and even during the holidays. Get in contact early and they can make sure you get a place in university halls or flats. Support . Someone to talk to about anything you are worried about, no matter what it is. This person can support you personally or will direct you to someone else who can. Each university also offers lots more support for students from care. For example, you might get a 'mentor' - a current student who has also been in care and can offer you advice and support during your course. All you need to do is ask the key contact at the university and find out what they offer. 2. Or try typing into Google the name of the university + care leaver. This might help you find webpages on the university website about what they can offer you. 3. Once you know they have the Quality Mark, speak to the ' key contact ' because then you can find out what they can offer you. Each university offers something different so this is the easiest way to find out. To make sure the support is available to you as soon as possible, if you need it, it is important the university knows you have been in care. If you decide to tell them, this information will stay strictly confidential and will not be passed on without your permission. 4. You can also tell the university you have been in care on your application form. When you are applying to university, there will usually be a box you can tick which says you have been in care. For example, on the UCAS form. Ticking this makes sure the university knows you are interested in studying there and that you might want financial or other support. Applying Wondering how to apply? If you're applying via UCAS they have a video all about how to apply . They also have one about care leavers which explains about the tick box on the UCAS form for care leavers. I am in my final year, studying English. My university is committed to supporting care leavers and when I was originally deciding which university I was going to go to, the fact that this institution had been awarded the Buttle UK Quality Mark was a major factor in my decision to study here. I was able to see from the University's website that they'd been awarded the Quality Mark and who I'd need to contact to getmore information. I've been fully supported throughout my time here. The Student Advice team have a dedicated member of staff, who has been invaluable in providing advice on issues such as accommodation and managing my finances throughout my course. I've been able to get involved in a range of different activities such as acting as a mentor to other care leavers who are new and acting as the Student Representative on the University's Care Leavers' Forum. I've benefitted lots from my experiences here an d am even thinking of studying for a Masters after I graduate!