Young and adult carers

The one thing that students talk about the most at the University of Stirling is the sense of community. At Stirling, students from all different backgrounds come together on a beautiful campus and are able to settle in, make new friends and get involved in everything there is to offer.

The university is committed to support student carers - anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support

We realise that the issues carers face can sometimes make the thought of coming to university daunting, but we're here to help make sure you're able to make the most of your time here. There's a range of support available which starts when you're thinking about applying and lasts throughout your time as a student.

Please see our Statement of Intent and Student Carers Policy for more information.

Contextual Policy

The University will use contextual information alongside the UCAS application to assess the applicant, taking into account their personal and educational circumstances. Young and adult carers may be considered for an offer at the minimum entry requirement. For SQA S6 Higher qualifications, the minimum entry requirement is adjusted by two grades.

SQA Higher typical entry requirement	SQA Higher minimum entry requirement
AAAB	ABBB
AABB	BBBB

Going Higher for Student Carers Recognition Award

The University of Stirling was delighted to be awarded the Carers Trust Scotland Going Higher for Student Carers Recognition Award in 2021.

The Going Higher for Student Carers Recognition Award aims to make it easier for Scotland’s 19 universities, to identify, support and report on student carers, and recognise good practice.

We are proud to support student carers throughout their time at the University of Stirling and works in partnership with the Students’ Union, Carers Trust Scotland and Stirling Carers Centre to ensure that we can meet the needs of our student carers.

Our support for student carers

We have set out the following areas of targeted commitment for all student carers at Stirling:

Finance

There's a financial bursary of £300 for student carers. View more information about our discretionary and assistance funds.

Accommodation

Students can apply for the Accommodation Enhancement Fund and access a range of support provided by the Accommodation Team for all students.

Mental health and wellbeing

Each student carer will be given a single point of contact to ensure an individualised package of support is implemented, including mental wellbeing support.

Outreach and transition

There's comprehensive pre-application and transition support including help to choose a course, find the right route into university and how to write a personal statement for your application. For more information email wp@stir.ac.uk.

Find out more

How do I find out about university?

Get in touch – it's as easy as that!

Meet the team

Our Student Recruitment Team are happy to advise student carers, their families and their supporters. All contact is confidential and impartial and, with your permission, we'll help make the road into university easier. We'll put you in contact with the right people and make sure you get the support you need.

+44 (0) 1786 467046

wp@stir.ac.uk

Come and see what it's like

We can arrange individual visits for you and a friend, adviser or family member to let you see the campus, find out more about what we offer, and answer any questions you have. You might want to find out more about a particular subject, get advice about your qualifications or find out what specific support you could receive.

You'll meet with one of the Student Recruitment Team, and if you like you can also book onto one of our campus tours which are led by our Student Ambassadors.

All you have to do is get in touch via email and we'll do the rest.

Open Day / Offer Holder Day

Open Days are a great way to find out more about everything to do with university life. A range of information desks are available where you can speak to University staff, academics, and current students. We've a dedicated information stand manned by our widening participation staff who can help you get the most out of the day. You can also talk to some of our student ambassadors to find out more about their experiences in managing their caring responsibilities and their studies..

If you've been made an offer then you'll be invited to an Offer Holder Day. These are really useful for you and your family and friends even if you live locally or have visited the University campus before. They give you time to ask staff and students about what it is like to study at Stirling and lets you find out all you need to know about the next steps in the application process.

If you're coming on your own to either of these events, or are unsure of what to do on the day, get in touch once you've registered online and we'll make sure you get the most out of your visit.

What support can I get?

Our friendly and welcoming team are your first point of contact for all kinds of support and they would be happy to talk to you at any time - even before you come to university.

We have a named point of contact for student carers within the Student Support Services Team who will be able to provide you with a range of support when you start studying with us, and help you to access other assistance from across the university. If you are a current University of Stirling student you can get in touch with the team by emailing sssSPOC@stir.ac.uk.

Once you start studying at Stirling, Student Support Services can offer a range of services, including:

Accommodation - student carers can get advice from our accommodation team if they have any specific requirements. Just let them know and they will help you out in any way they can.

Finance - you should get in touch with our Money Advisers as soon as possible, even before you come to university. They'll help you to budget, manage your money and let you know about any additional sources of finance you could get.

Accessibility and inclusion support - our advisers offer one-to-one information, support and guidance before you arrive and throughout your time at university to assess what you need and help you to access it.

Personal tutor - personal tutors help students feel part of the university community. They're your first point of contact for everything from academic guidance to personal advice throughout your studies.

STEER - our peer mentoring programme in run by The Students' Union and offers one-to-one support from a current student for your first year of study.

Students’ Union - the Union provides support and guidance on issues ranging from academic to housing to finance; provided by trained staff who are on hand to talk through any issues you may face whilst at university.

Where do I get help?

If you'd like to discuss your options, or talk through what it might be like to come to university, contact our Widening Participation Team who can provide advice online or, if you would prefer, arrange a visit.

We are also happy to work with families, guardians, advisers and other support workers to provide any information, advice and guidance we can to help you.

Stirling Carers Centre

The University of Stirling works closely with Stirling Carers Centre to ensure that all of the needs of our student carers are being met.

Stirling Carers Centre provides information, advice and support to Unpaid Carers throughout the Stirling Council area.

If your life has become restricted by taking responsibility for the care of another who, due to illness, disability or age, cannot manage on their own, then you are a Carer. Stirling Carers Centre aims to give you all the help you need to enable you to make informed decisions about your situation, and to support you in your caring role.

Finance

The Student Awards Agency in Scotland (SAAS) are looking at ways to better support students with caring responsibilities. They have some additional grants, including a Dependants Grant and Lone Parents Grant, which you can claim on top of any student loan. You can find more information on the SAAS website.

Students from outside of Scotland should talk to their finance provider in the first instance.

Statement of Intent and Student Carers Policy

The University of Stirling is committed to enabling students from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential. We believe that everyone has the potential to succeed and actively encourage applications from non-traditional groups. We are dedicated to supporting Student Carers throughout their student journey. The University considers Student Carers as anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

We value our diverse student body and Student Carers are a group who may require additional support. The University has a Student Carer Working Group with representation across the University including students and carers. We work in partnership with the Carers Trust and Stirling Carers Centre.

See our Student Carers Policy which outlines the commitment the University makes to its Student Carers and outlines the expectations of the University of those Student Carers.