# Estranged students

**Source**: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/access-edinburgh/edinburgh-cares/estranged-students
**Parent**: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/download-guide

If you have no contact with your family or guardians, Edinburgh Cares can help you with the university application process, finding financial help and accessing year-round accommodation if you need it.

## Definition of an estranged student

We define you as an estranged student if all three of the following apply:

- you have no contact with your family or guardians
- you have neither financial nor emotional support from your family or guardians
- you are under the age of 25 years old at the start of your degree

### What entry requirements to apply with

#### If you’ve completed a recognised bridging programme

If you’re an estranged student and have completed a recognised bridging programme, then you meet the criteria for a Plus Flag widening access offer. This means we will consider your application if you have achieved or are predicted to achieve our minimum entry requirements, rather than our standard entry requirements.  

[Recognised bridging programme details](https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/access-edinburgh/secondary-school-students/recognised-bridging-programmes)

[Find entry requirements on our degree finder](https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes)  

If you live permanently in the UK, then we usually offer you a place on your chosen degree wherever this is possible.  

#### If you’ve not completed a recognised bridging programme

If you have not completed a recognised bridging programme, then we will assess your application using the standard entry requirements criteria and consider your application under the University’s challenging circumstances policy.  

To allow us to do this, you must include information about your circumstances in your UCAS application.  

[Widening access offers information](https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/access-edinburgh/widening-access-offers)

[Challenging circumstances information](https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/access-edinburgh/widening-access-offers/challenging-circumstances)

#### Application support

You can contact Edinburgh Cares to discuss your circumstances and get support with your application. 

[Contact us by emailing edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk](mailto:edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk)

## Apply for funding

As an estranged student, you will have access to extra financial help while you’re at the University.

First, you need to apply for funding and need to show:

- you have been estranged from your family or guardians for 12 months or more (this is assessed on a case-by-case basis)

or

- you are unlikely to resolve the relationship

You must show this evidence when you apply for financial help from your government student finance provider, such as the following:

- [SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland)](https://www.saas.gov.uk/)
- [Student Finance England](https://www.gov.uk/student-finance)
- [Student Finance Northern Ireland](https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/)
- [Student Finance Wales](https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/)

Edinburgh Cares can help you get this evidence and help you with your funding application.

[Contact us by emailing edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk](mailto:edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk)

### If you live permanently in the UK

If you live permanently in the UK, then you are eligible for the Access Edinburgh scholarship. This scholarship will give you money every year of your programme to help cover your costs. You do not need to pay this money back after you graduate.

[Access Edinburgh scholarship](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/undergraduate/uk-eu/access-awards/access-edinburgh)

## Apply for accommodation

### University accommodation

As an estranged student, you will be guaranteed year-round University accommodation for every year of your degree programme. Edinburgh Cares can provide you with more information.

[University accommodation options](https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/)

[Contact us by emailing edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk](mailto:edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk)

### Private student accommodation

You can also apply for an accommodation scholarship from the Unite Foundation to live in private student accommodation for three years of study (there are a limited number of scholarships available).

You will need to make sure you meet all the criteria for this accommodation award and apply by the deadline.

[Unite Foundation Student Awards information](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/undergraduate/uk-eu/access-awards/unite)

## When you’re a student

While you’re a student at the University, you will have access to a student advisor, wellbeing advisor and a cohort lead in your academic school. They will be able to provide you with academic and pastoral advice and guidance throughout your studies. Contact details will be provided by your academic school.

### Access to health and wellbeing services

If you need to use any health and wellbeing services, we can guide you to the right place to find help.

[Health and wellbeing services](https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/health-wellbeing)  

### Social groups

We can help connect you with other students so you can make new friends at the University.

Edinburgh Cares organise social events to help you feel part of our community. In the past, our team has organised attending Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows, day trips to the beach and theatre trips. A wide range of clubs and student-led societies open to all students might be of interest to you as well.

[University sports clubs](https://www.eusu.ed.ac.uk/clubs/)

[University society groups](https://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/activities/societies)   

### Mentoring

Throughout your degree, you can take part in our staff mentoring programme which allows you to meet with a trained member of staff on a one-to-one basis. This person can give you guidance on the wider university experience.

[Staff mentoring](https://student-recruitment.ed.ac.uk/widening-participation/wp-at-edinburgh/support-to-succeed-and-progress/edinburgh-cares-mentoring)

## Contact the Edinburgh Cares team

### Edinburgh Cares

#### Contact details

- Email:
  [edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk](mailto:edinburghcares@ed.ac.uk)

#### Availability

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm UK time

## Contact us through an online sign language interpreter

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact the University of Edinburgh via Contact Scotland BSL, the online British Sign Language video relay interpreting service.

[Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website](http://contactscotland-bsl.org/device-direct/)

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This article was published on
2025-03-03