APPLICATION
Due to the creative nature of our programmes, we treat all applications on their own merit and welcome anyone who has the ability and aspirations to achieve at higher education. Please visit our apply webpage for more advice about the application process, portfolio and interview advice.

UCAS

All applications to higher education (university-level) in the UK have to go through UCAS. You can search all of the courses available, watch videos on how to apply and access information specifically for care experienced young people. On the UCAS application, students are asked if they are a care leaver or a looked-after young person. We would encourage you to tick this box - it is important because it helps us identify you and then be able to advise you on any additional support that you are entitled to.

Those applicants, who have ticked this box when applying to The Northern School of Art will be contacted by our support team to find out if there is any additional support needed before the start of term.

We understand that as a care experienced young person / or care leaver, you may have additional questions and concerns so we have a dedicated person at the School, within our Student Services Team who can provide additional support in your journey towards higher education. Our support will continue throughout your studies too.

Our Student Services Advisers can offer individual advice and support prior to application and throughout your time with us at The Northern School of Art. Any contact is confidential and the Student Services Team are happy to liaise with Personal Advisers, Social Workers and Foster Carers with your consent.

The Student Services Team can advise and provide support on a range of issues, including:
• Accommodation
• Student finance and funding
• Budgeting and money management
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Disability and health


Any of the team will be happy to welcome you to university events, open days, applicant days, interviews and graduation providing you with support wherever and whenever it is needed, individual support is available too.

You can contact the Student Services Team on 01429 858410 or by email at hestudentservices@northernart.ac.uk

Care leavers are given priority for a place within our halls of residence in their first year of study with us – if that is where you choose to live. The team will be there to welcome you on your moving in day, answer any queries you may have and make sure you are settled into your accommodation.

If you would prefer private accommodation, the Student Services Team will work with you to find suitable student accommodation with one of our registered landlords.

They will advise you on tenancy agreements and all aspects of renting and moving into your accommodation. The team will also work with you to ensure that you have suitable accommodation throughout the whole year.

The Northern School of Art also offers a range of financial support to students from underrepresented groups as defined by the Office for Students. As we believe that financial support for students from low-income backgrounds promotes attendance and student engagement in their studies. Remember, it is important to declare your care leaver status on the UCAS form so that we can prepare the financial support needed by the time you study with us.

The financial support that we offer includes:
• Care Leavers Bursary - Students who are care leavers will be eligible for a bursary of £500 pa for the duration of their programme. This is to provide additional support to students who may lack support structures.
• Maintenance Loan - Students in receipt of the maximum maintenance loan will be eligible for a bursary of £500 in the first year of study, followed by payments at second and third year of £300. This is to provide additional support to students from low- income backgrounds.
• Tees Valley Progression Award - Young students, under the age of 21 years from the Tees Valley who live in areas with low participation in higher education POLAR 4 (Qunitile1) will be eligible for a one-off award of £500 in their first year study. This award is to provide additional support to students from low participation areas.
• Mature Students Award - Students aged 21 years or over who have not previously undertaken a higher education programme of study will be eligible for a one-off award of £500. This is to provide initial support to students re-entering education.

Funds are intended to help towards costs relating to student accommodation, study materials, and educational visits depending on the student’s choice. Students will be eligible for a maximum of £1,000 financial support in any academic year. It is intended that we will release funds to students, subject to satisfactory student engagement and attendance of 80% across all registered sessions, and the final term bursary payment is subject to successful progression to the next level of study or successful completion of studies.

Finance contact: Studentfinance@northernart.ac.uk

As well as your faculty tutors the Northern School of Art academic support service is there to help you with your studies. We understand that you may feel daunted about starting out at higher education and that you may not have been in education for quite some time. Therefore, we offer you support to settle in and understand how you need to approach your studies.

The Academic Support Service is also there to help you right throughout your degree and to further study or employment. We want you to get the most out of your time at university and be successful. We provide one-to-one academic support tutorials, talks on essay writing, time management, presentation of work etc. and online study support. Added to this, if you have a quick question about your studies, you can always email the academic support service who will get back to you as soon as possible.

Academic Support Contact: academicservices@northernart.ac.uk

Become Become is a voice and a champion for children and young people in the UK living in care. They provide lots of information and have created some guides for care experienced young people considering university which you can download from their website.

Become also publishes a series of factsheets to support young people leaving care. These factsheets cover topics such as financial support post-18, getting support to go to university, and understanding pathway plans.

Care Leavers Association

The Care Leavers Association is an ever-growing network of care leavers, run by care leavers for care leavers. They provide a national network of care leavers and support and have gathered some very useful information about considering university.
www.careleavers.com

The Complete University Guide For more information on the support available to care leavers visit the complete university guide! www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

UCAS has a number of resources with information for Care leavers! Visit their website for more information including a video for care experienced young people to help find out about the support that is on offer. www.ucas.com