Student carers
The University is committed to supporting student carers, and we are here to help make sure you are able to make the most of your time here.
We realise that the issues student carers face can sometimes make the thought of coming to university daunting and that during your studies you may have to deal with situations that your peers are less likely to experience. We have put in place a range of support available to help you succeed which starts when you're thinking about applying and lasts throughout your time as a student.
How do you define a student carer?
A carer is anyone who gives unpaid care to a family member, partner or friend who could not manage without their support. This may be due to a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition, or addiction.
Caring responsibilities might include physical care, personal care, emotional support, and providing emergency care. For young adult carers, this might also involve practical household tasks (e.g. cooking and cleaning), managing the family budget, and looking after siblings.
UCAS information on support for student carers
There are many different types of caring responsibilities – and many different types of carer.
What support is offered by the university?
During your time at Stirling, the following support is offered.
- Single named point of contact and designated email address for the duration of your course.
- Priority Discretionary and Assistance Fund assessment.
- 365-day University accommodation can be provided.
- Rental Guarantor (private rental sector).
- Guidance to enhance your study skills.
- Disability/Learning Disabilities support.
- Mental Health, Wellbeing and Counselling support.
- Faith support.
- Careers and employability support.
- Long-term loan laptop.
£300 student carer bursary
You must apply to the Discretionary and Assistance Funds each academic year and meet the relevant fund eligibility criteria to access the bursary.
Due to audit purposes, you will also need to provide evidence of your student carer status, before the bursary can be awarded. Further information about the evidence required is listed on the Single Named Point of Contact registration form which we ask you to complete to register with the single named point of contact service.
External resources
Stirling Carers Centre
Stirling Carers Centre provides information and support on a wide range of areas such as financial advice and emotional and peer support.
Care Information Scotland
Care Information Scotland allows you to search for your nearest carer centre to access support, advice and information for carers.
Citizens Advice Bureau Stirling
Citizens Advice Bureau Stirling Unpaid Carers Project provides a holistic person-centred advice, information and representation service to unpaid carers and offers a wealth of advice on areas such as money, benefits, debt and housing.
Carers Trust Scotland
Carers Trust Scotland provides information on their network of local carer organisations across Scotland that offer information/provision of funding and support.
Carers Scotland
Carers Scotland provides help and advice on a range of topics and holds online meetups and share-and-learn sessions on diverse topics that may be informative and helpful.
Make an appointment
If you would like to speak about your situation or the support available, you can make an appointment to meet with one of our Advisers either face to face or through Teams by calling us using the number below, or using Live Chat on your student portal.