Student communities support

At Surrey we are committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds. We have an inclusive community, allowing students to connect and make the best of their student experience. 

Financial and technological Support

If you are from a diverse background also going through financial difficulties, you can apply for the Hardship Fund, and the Access to Learning Fund for money towards books and other learning equipment (such as PPE) for your programme. 

You can also take advantage of our long-term Laptop Loan Scheme where you can rent a laptop for a whole semester or, at times, a whole academic year. 

Students from a BAME background may also be able to access other funds/bursaries to support them during their studies if not eligible for the above - see our bursaries page.

Sports

If finances are a barrier to joining in with sports at Surrey, you may be eligible to access funding to support with this.  Referral is required from a member of staff, such as your personal tutor, the Students’ Union, Student Success and EDI team, Centre for Wellbeing, or MySurrey Hive.

Employability and careers 

The Employability and Careers team also have specific resources to support the BAME community in their job hunting and upskilling on their Surrey Pathfinder platform, as well as exclusive mentoring opportunities. Look out for emails from the team with details of how to apply. 

Events and activities across campus

Various teams across the University deliver events and workshops which may be useful and interesting for our BAME community. Previous events, workshops and celebrations include activities for:

• East and Southeast Asian Heritage Month
• Black History Month
• South Asian Heritage Month
• Lunar New Year
• Celebrating religious festivals such as Holi and Ramadan via our Chaplaincy team and Societies run.

The Library team run SurreyReads which is a student-led leisure reading collection with many of the books being chosen by Student Curators. You can find reading lists based on various topics such as colourism, anti-racism, wellbeing and mindfulness; and from a variety of authors from the Latinx, female, LGBTQ+, and black communities. They also run themed events throughout the year. 

Clubs and societies 

There are various clubs and societies run through the Students' Union that you may want to explore joining such as the Afro Caribbean Society (ACS), the Association of British and Chinese University Students (ABACUS), Bulgarian Society, Filipino Society, Hispanic Society, Indian Students Association (ISA), and many more. 

Some clubs and societies are really active and organise events through the year. You can find out more on the Students’ Union website and by attending our Freshers' Fair during Welcome Week. 

If you are a care leaver – a student who is under 25 and has been cared for by any local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 - then you will be eligible for further support. We also support care experienced students who may not fulfil the above description, but have had care provided in one of many different settings, such as:

• With foster carers under local authority care
• In a residential children’s home
• Being ‘looked after at home’ under a supervision order
• Living with friends or relatives in kinship care.

Before you join the University             

If you or your social worker would like to find out more about what support you may be able to get at the University of Surrey, you can get in touch with the Student Success and EDI team (SSEDI@surrey.ac.uk) who can arrange an informal chat. The team also runs drop ins during Welcome Week and provide you with a Welcome Pack when you first make contact on arrival.

You may also wish to check out the UCAS pages dedicated to estranged students and care leavers/care experienced students

General support

We understand that sometimes juggling University and your personal life can be challenging, and you may need to speak to someone. Our friendly Hive Case Coordinators can provide you with support. You can refer yourself via the MySurrey Hive team on Surrey Support or through your personal tutor. 

Financial and technological support

You will be assessed on entry for the Care Leaver and Estranged Student Bursary if you have indicated you are a care leaver/care experienced on your UCAS or application form. Care leavers and care experienced students may also be able to access other funds/bursaries to support them during their studies if not eligible for the above - see our bursaries page.

If you require financial assistance you can apply for the Hardship Fund, and the Access to Learning Fund for money towards books and other learning equipment (such as PPE) for your programme. 

You can also take advantage of our long-term Laptop Loan Scheme where you can rent a laptop for a whole semester or, at times, a whole academic year. 

Accommodation

You will be given priority for on-campus accommodation during the summer breaks and in your second and third year of studying. If you require extra support for your accommodation regarding the deposit or move in date, you can enquire with our accommodation team.

Care leaver and care experienced students wishing to rent privately can access our Guarantor Scheme and have the administration costs paid by the University – please apply via the Student Success Team and EDI team.

Sports

If finances are a barrier to joining in with sports at Surrey, you may be eligible as a care leaver/care experienced student to access funding to support with this. Referral required a member of staff, such as your personal tutor, the Students’ Union, Student Success and EDI team, Centre for Wellbeing, or MySurrey Hive.

Study abroad

You can apply for a study award to fund participation in summer programmes abroad.

Careers and employability

The Employability and Careers team also have resources to support students in their job hunting and upskilling on their Surrey Pathfinder platform, as well as exclusive mentoring opportunities. Look out for emails from the team with details of how to apply. 

Care Leaver Covenant

The University has signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant.

External support

There are many websites and organisations who support care experienced and estranged students, many of which the University is connected to enabling us to learn and share best practices and provide the best support.

These include: 

• National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL)
• Unite Foundation – they have a handy list of guides, links, job opportunities, and organise meet-ups
• The EaCES Handbook – information and advice written by estranged and care experienced students with practical tips and guidance on how to meet others from a similar background.  
• This Is Us podcast is created by and for care experienced and estranged students. 

If you have caring responsibilities, we know that there are many challenges that you may face and have extra support available to you.

A carer is anyone who gives unpaid care to a family member, partner or friend who could not cope without their support. This may be due to a long-term illness, disability, a mental health condition, or an addiction.

Before you join the University             

If you would like to find out more about what support you may be able to get at the University of Surrey, you can get in touch with the Student Success and EDI team (SSEDI@surrey.ac.uk) who can arrange an informal chat. The team also runs drop ins during Welcome Week and provide you with some freebies! 

You may also wish to check out the UCAS pages dedicated to carers for more information, guidance and support.

Government financial support

The UK Government offers Carer's Allowance which is a benefit paid to you if you spend at least 35 hours a week looking after a disabled person (defined as a person claiming certain elements of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or the Personal Independence Payment). In order to be eligible you must be a part-time student and earning no more that £123 per week.

Time out from studies

If your caring responsibilities have ceased and you are waiting to return to study you may be able to apply for universal credit for up to a year until you can recommence study.

Financial and technological support

If you require financial assistance you can apply for the Hardship Fund, and the Access to Learning Fund for money towards books and other learning equipment (such as PPE) for your programme. 

You can also take advantage of our long-term Laptop Loan Scheme where you can rent a laptop for a whole semester or, at times, a whole academic year. 

Sports

If finances are a barrier to joining in with sports at Surrey, you may be eligible as a care leaver/care experienced student to access funding to support with this. Referral is required from a member of staff, such as your personal tutor, the Students’ Union, Student Success and EDI team, Centre for Wellbeing, or MySurrey Hive.

Transport

You may be eligible for a parking permit if you are a carer. 

General support

We understand that sometimes juggling University and your personal life can be challenging, and you may need to speak to someone. Our friendly Hive Case Co-ordinators can provide you with support. You can refer yourself via the MySurrey Hive team on Surrey Support or through your personal tutor. 

External support

Visit The Carers Trust website and you can download the Young Carers Support App.

We aim to create an environment which welcomes disabled and dyslexic students, enabling you to participate fully in university life. We provide our students and prospective students with a range of support, including advice on the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Getting around campus

We have partnered with AccessAble to develop access guides to help you get around our sites and buildings more easily.

View our accessibility information to find out more about access around the University.

Admissions advice

Disability advisers are available to provide admissions advice, answering any specific enquiries or concerns from prospective students.

Study support

Our Disability and Neuroinclusion team provide a wide variety of study support services tailored to your individual needs.

Financial and technological support

If you require financial assistance you can apply for the Hardship Fund, and the Access to Learning Fund for money towards books and other learning equipment (such as PPE) for your programme. 

You can also take advantage of our long-term Laptop Loan Scheme where you can rent a laptop for a whole semester or, at times, a whole academic year. 

If you have lost contact with your family, we can help provide you with personalised support.

One-to-one support

Prior to your registration at the University, you can contact the Student Success and EDI team for support, advice and guidance as an estranged student. The team will also provide you with a Welcome Pack when you first make contact on arrival, as well as running drop ins during welcome week to go over any support you may need during your time here at Surrey. 

Once you become a student and would like more information or have further queries, please raise a ticket for My Surrey Hive via Student Support.

We understand that sometimes juggling University and your personal life can be challenging, and you may need to speak to someone. Our friendly Hive Case Coordinators can provide you with support. You can refer yourself via the MySurrey Hive team on Surrey Support or through your personal tutor.

Confirmation of estrangement

If you complete the Student Finance England's confirmation of estrangement form you may be able to be assessed as an independent student rather than on the basis of your household income.

The form requires a third party to verify your situation, and this can be filled out by a member of university staff, such as your personal tutor, Hive Case Co-ordinator, or the Student Success and EDI team. Depending on the nature and length of the relationship you have with that member of staff, SFE may ask for further evidence. 

Usually, we require you to have worked with a university service for up to a year before the form can be completed by a member of staff. However, we understand that sometimes estrangement can occur during your time at university, or even before you start University, and you may not have told anyone about this. In these cases, a member of university staff may be able to fill out your confirmation of estrangement form, however, please be aware that SFE may ask for further evidence. 

For further guidance on any questions related to student finance as an estranged student, please look at information provided by Stand Alone.

Financial and technological support

You will be assessed on entry for the Care Leaver and Estranged Student Bursary if you have indicated you are estranged on your UCAS or application form. Estranged students may also be able to access other funds/bursaries to support them during their studies if not eligible for the above - see our bursaries page.

If you require financial assistance during your studies, you can apply for the Hardship Fund, and the Access to Learning Fund for money towards books and other learning equipment (such as PPE) for your programme. 

You can also take advantage of our long-term Laptop Loan Scheme where you can rent a laptop for a whole semester or, at times, a whole academic year. 

Accommodation

You will be given priority for on-campus accommodation during the summer breaks and in your second and third year of studying. If you require extra support for your accommodation regarding the deposit or move-in date, you can enquire with our Accommodation team.

Estranged students wishing to rent privately can access our Guarantor Scheme and have the administration costs paid by the University – please apply via the Student Success Team and EDI team.

Sports

If finances are a barrier to joining in with sports at Surrey, you may be eligible as a care leaver/care experienced student to access funding to support with this. Referral required a member of staff, such as your personal tutor, the Students’ Union, Student Success and EDI team, Centre for Wellbeing, or MySurrey Hive.

Study abroad

You can apply for a study award to fund participation in summer programmes abroad.

Employability and careers 

The Employability and Careers team also have resources to support students in their job hunting and upskilling on their Surrey Pathfinder platform, as well as exclusive mentoring opportunities. Look out for emails from the team with details of how to apply. 

Stand Alone Pledge

The University has signed up to the Stand Alone Pledge.

External support

There are many websites and organisations who support care experienced and estranged students, many of which the University is connected to enabling us to learn and share best practices and provide the best support. 

These include: 

• Unite Foundation – a handy list of guides, links, job opportunities, and organise meet-ups
• The EaCES Handbook – information and advice written by estranged and care experienced students with practical tips and guidance on how to meet others from a similar background.
• Stand Alone – although no longer active, you may find handy resources on this charity’s website.
• This Is Us podcast is created by and for care experienced and estranged students. 

We are committed to ensuring the very best student experience where all our community can flourish in a culture of respect and support, where we celebrate difference and thrive on each other’s success.

LGBT+ Society

The LGBT+ Society focuses on your welfare and provides support, knowledge and friendship to all. The group increases representation to LGBT+ students and work closely with community LGBT+ groups and charities.

Events

The LGBT+ society run a series of events throughout the year to promote to increase awareness LGBT+ identities and issues on campus and in the local community. Each year we also celebrate LGBT History Month to celebrate people and achievements, raise awareness of LGBTQ identities and issues, and broaden public understanding of the complex nature of gender, sexual prejudices, and romantic and sexual orientation.

Employability and careers 

The Employability and Careers team also have specific resources to support the LGBTQ+ community in their job hunting and upskilling on their Surrey Pathfinder platform.  

SurreyReads 

The Library team run SurreyReads which is a student-led leisure reading collection with many of the books being chosen by Student Curators. You can find reading lists based on various topics such as colourism, anti-racism, wellbeing and mindfulness; and from a variety of authors from the Latinx, female, LGBTQ+, and black communities. They also run themed events throughout the year. 

If you are aged 21 or over and about to start an undergraduate course or aged 25+ starting a postgraduate course, you are officially recognised as a mature student. 14% of our undergraduate student population are mature learners, so whether you are returning to education for career progression, personal development or to pursue an interest, you are welcome here at Surrey.

Mature learner cafés

You have the opportunity to come along to a Mature Learners Café, to meet other mature students, network and get involved with university life. Our first Café is usually in welcome week where you can opt in to join our mailing list

If you are pregnant or have a caring responsibility for very young children (those who are breastfeeding or who are under six months old), we have a range of support services and appropriate study-related adjustments in place to help you succeed in your studies.

Useful links:

• Bright Horizons Nursery
• Childcare provision in the local area
• Schools information for the local area
• Childcare Grant
• Child Tax Credits.

If you are under the age of 18, you will be treated exactly the same as students who are 18 and over, as a mature, independent individual. As such, we will correspond with you directly, rather than your parents or legal guardians. You have access to the same study, accommodation, health and wellbeing, faith and spirituality, money and careers support offered to students over the age of 18.

Accommodation

If you are under 18 and select shared accommodation, you will live with other students over the age of 18. Other students who share accommodation with you aren't advised of your age and don't have any Disclosure and Barring Service checks made on them before moving in.