Care Experienced

We encourage applications from students who have experience of care and aim to provide a supportive environment to enable students to have a positive experience at university. A care leaver is defined 'as a person aged 25 or under, who has been looked after by a local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14; and who was looked after by the local authority at school-leaving age or after that date'.

Disclosure

When submitting your application to Abertay, your UCAS application form will ask you to confirm if you have previously been in care. If so, this information will also be passed on to Abertay. Abertay encourages students to disclose - this allows the opportunity for us to contact you to ensure that you are aware of the support available and to offer any advice you may need as you progress through your studies.

Visiting Abertay

Abertay's Open Days allow you to find out more about the university and answer any queries you may have about studying here. In addition, we have a series of Offer Holder which provide detailed course information for applicants who hold offers from Abertay.

Invitations to applicants are sent out from February onwards.

Abertay Contact

Hazel Petrie (Advisory Service Manager) is based within the Advisory Service and is the named contact for all care experienced students who are studying at Abertay.

Even if you have not indicated that you are care experienced on your UCAS application form you can still make contact with Hazel to ask a question or discuss a particular query you may have. She will continue to provide regular support and advice throughout your time at university.

Preparing for University Study

Coming to university can be a daunting prospect. Abertay the Abertay College Transition Programme (ACT) offers support to students joining the university from college.

Student Support

Abertay has been awarded The Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark for its efforts to support young people moving from local authority care to higher education.

Student Services consists of 4 teams which provide a range of specialist support, these are:

Counselling & Mental Health
Careers
The Learner Development Centre
The Advisory Service (International Student support
Student Funding support
Access & Disability
Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)

In addition the Student Enquiry Zone (SEZ) based on the ground floor of the Library can answer quick questions and direct you to relevant advice, guidance and information. The Student Association also provides an Advice and Welfare service.

Snap shot of support

Year-round accommodation contracts in University residences
Liaison with your local authority to ensure access to funding that you may be entitled to
A guaranteed place on one of the University Preparation Programmes of your choice
A key contact for all issues relating to your care background, student journey and personal needs

The key contact for Abertay is Hazel Petrie, who can be contacted by either telephoning 01382 308051 or emailing advisory@abertay.ac.uk

University corporate parenting report and plan 2018

Further resources: