The Royal College of Music is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to students from all backgrounds. We offer a range of support to students who are care experienced, estranged or carers. To discuss any support needs please contact our dedicated point of contact, Nicola Smith (Student Services Manager).
Definitions
Care experienced: A person who has spent time living with foster carers under local authority care, in residential care (e.g. a children’s home), looked after at home under a supervision order, or in kinship care with relatives or friends. Sometimes the term ‘care leaver’ is used. Find out more about students who are care experienced through UCAS.
Estranged: A person who doesn’t have the support and approval of their parents due to a breakdown in their relationship. Find out more students without parental support through UCAS.
Carer: A person who has the responsibility of providing unpaid care to a family member, partner or friend due to a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition, or an addiction. Find out more about students with caring responsibilities via UCAS.
Support
Our Student Services Manager, Nicola Smith, acts as a dedicated point of contact for students (prospective and current) who are care experienced, estranged or carers and can provide support at the following stages and throughout your studies:
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- Pre-application: Please get in touch if you wish to discuss your application to the College.
- Post application: If you have declared on application that you are care experienced, estranged or a carer then you will be contacted with an offer of support
- Audition day: If you are attending on your own and would like any support, do let us know and staff can be made available on the day.
- Following offer of a place: You will be invited to discuss any support needs.
- Following registration: You will be offered meetings, as required, to address any concerns. All undergraduate students also have a nominated Personal Advisor who can offer advice and guidance to support you through your studies.
UCAS provides information about applying to university, as follows:
Applying to University if you are experiencing estrangement
Applying to University as a care leaver
Applying to University as a student with caring responsibilities
To discuss any of the above, please contact Nicola Smith (Student Services Manager).
Support for care experienced students
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- Accommodation – Care experienced students who opt to live in RCM’s Halls of Residence, Prince Consort Village, can be offered a room for 365 days of the year. Our Student Services team can also offer tailored advice and guidance about alternative accommodation options.
- Finance – We offer a Summer Accommodation top-up Bursary of £1000 to UK undergraduate care experienced students to support additional rental costs over the vacation period (available from academic year 25/26). UK undergraduate students may also be eligible to apply for the RCM Undergraduate Bursary (available for academic year 25/26).
To discuss any support needs please contact Nicola Smith (Student Services Manager).
Other sources of support, advice and guidance for students who are care experienced:
Support for estranged students
UK undergraduate students who are estranged may be eligible to apply for the RCM Undergraduate Bursary (available from academic year 25/26).
To discuss any support needs please contact Nicola Smith (Student Services Manager).
Other sources of support, advice and guidance for estranged students:
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- Stand Alone – offering advice, guidance and support to estranged adults
- All of Us – a community for estranged and care experienced students across the UK
- Buttle UK - provides funding support for estranged people aged 16-20 pursuing education
Support for students who are carers
UK undergraduate students who are carers may be eligible to apply for the RCM Undergraduate Bursary (available from academic year 25/26).
To discuss any support needs please contact Nicola Smith (Student Services Manager).
Other sources of support, advice and guidance for students who are carers:
