Groups we work with

At Liverpool we recognise that learners have individual needs and some may face different barriers, or need different levels of support in progressing to higher education. That's why, alongside our work with schools and colleges, we work with specific targeted groups through our Disrupted Education programme.

These groups include:

• Care experienced young people 
• Young people estranged from their families
• Young adult carers 
• Children of military families
• Asylum Seekers 
• Refugees
• Young people from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds
• Young people who have faced medical issues during their time at school or college.

We have extensive support for these young people, through our well established Disrupted Education programme, which supports young people in these categories, who have the potential to progress to university, who face significant, personal barriers when considering higher education. 

The Disrupted Education programme can offer the following support: 

• Bespoke information, advice and guidance from designated outreach staff to support application and transition to university 
• Support with transport to the University's Open Days and Applicant Discovery Days 
• Financial support (eligibility criteria applies) 
• 365-day accommodation during your studies at Liverpool 
• Support with fees for a guarantor scheme 
• A place on the Liverpool Plus programme 
• Priority for a job role as a Liverpool Advocate.

If you are applying for a clinical programme (Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science) you will need to contact the relevant department directly. They will be able to advise how you can share additional information regarding your application.

To refer yourself to the Disrupted Education programme, or make a referral for a young person you support, please contact disruptededucation@liverpool.ac.uk. We will share a Disrupted Studies form with you, which enables you to tell us about the issues you have faced. 

In addition to the support offered by the Disrupted Education programme, the University offers additional support for some of the groups above: 

Asylum seekers 

The University of Liverpool is pleased to offer a number of Asylum Seeker Scholarships each year, covering tuition fees and providing maintenance support for students who have sought asylum in the UK so they can succeed in higher education. These awards are for students applying for undergraduate programmes only, excluding programmes in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences and Veterinary Science. The scholarships are extremely competitive and subject to eligibility criteria, please visit our Asylum Seeker Scholarship webpages for more information or contact wpscholarships@liverpool.ac.uk.

Care experienced young people 

The University of Liverpool is committed to supporting care leavers prior to starting their course, and throughout their studies. In recognition of our commitment, we have been awarded the NNECL Quality Mark. 

We can offer any care experienced young person an extensive support package, including: 

• Bespoke campus visit, where you'll receive information and guidance on your application, meet current students and tutors from your subject area of interest and take part in a tailored campus tour
• The Care Leavers Opportunity Bursary, worth £3,000 per year (subject to eligibility criteria) 
• 10% discount on University owned Halls of Residence 
• Support from the Wellbeing, Advice and Guidance team, who can act as a link between the University, your Local Authority and any other internal or external services as required
• And, if you receive an offer from the University of Liverpool, the offer will be reduced by up to two A Level grades or equivalent (excluding Medicine and Foundation programmes). Please visit the contextual admissions webpages for further details

Estranged students 

Alongside making the Stand Alone pledge, and support offered through the Disrupted Education programme, estranged students can receive an additional £1,000 bursary, which can be held in conjunction with other widening participation bursaries. They can also receive a 10% discount on University owned accommodation. 

Young adult carers 

For young adult carers with a household income below £35,000, an additional bursary of of £1,000 per year is available, and can be held in conjunction with other widening participation bursaries. Student Services can also offer a dedicated member of staff to support students with caring responsibilities, to provide advice on the impact of caring responsibilities on academic studies or to help agree a support plan and share this with relevant departments.