Students without parental support

If you’re considering university and studying without the support and approval of either parent due to a breakdown in your relationship (also known as being ‘estranged’), you'll find everything you need to know here.

We're here to help

We’ve teamed up with Stand Alone – a charity that provides support to those who are estranged from their parents – to help you prepare for uni life.

Tue, 02/04/2024 - 15:25

Trudi Woodhouse

Who is an ‘estranged’ student? Young people aged 25 or below, studying without the support and approval of either parent due to a breakdown in their relationship. This might be biological, step or adoptive parents, or possibly wider family members who have been involved in your care.

Have you been in care? If you have been in local authority care, you may be considered a ‘care leaver’ rather than ‘estranged’. Visit our care leaver information page for more details about the support available to you.

Find out what funding is available, and how to apply for it. With the amount of paperwork involved, it’s best to start early.

Find out what support and funding is available to estranged students in Scotland.

We’ve got everything you need to know about finding your perfect course, and applying to university.

Universities and colleges have dedicated teams to help you overcome life’s challenges and support you with a range of issues, so you get the most out of your studies.

Worried about deposits? What happens in the holidays? Get clued up about your housing options with our top tips.

Taking care of your emotional wellbeing is an important part of university life. Find out how to get counselling support at your uni or college.

Chloe, University of Oxford student, in campus grounds

Read Chloe's story

From being estranged from her family and homeless at 16, to studying at the University of Oxford, Chloe shares her advice for estranged students considering applying to university.

Read Chloe's story

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