- Up to 3 years free accommodationCore benefit
- ~£6,000-8,000/year (€18,000-24,000 total est.)Estimated value
- 70 scholarshipsPlaces available
- 365-day housing guaranteeYear-round housing
- No rent, bills, deposit or guarantorWhat you pay
- Home Fee Status studentsEligibility
At a glance
living only
Funding
€24k
Max amount
Jun 13, 2027
Deadline
United Kingdom (UK Home Fee Status students only)
Country
Unite Foundation
Provider
The Unite Foundation Scholarship provides up to 3 years of free accommodation for undergraduate students from challenging backgrounds studying in the United Kingdom for the 2026/2027 cycle. The scholarship is designed to remove the barrier of housing cost and instability for care leavers, care-experienced, and estranged students, allowing them to focus on their studies. Around 70 scholarships are available, and each provides a modern en-suite room in a shared flat with a 365-day housing guarantee, meaning there is no need to vacate during holidays. The award includes no rent, no bills, no deposit, and no guarantor requirement, plus free Wi-Fi, laundry, communal kitchens, and on-site support; over 3 years the value of the saved accommodation runs to roughly €18,000 to €24,000 (est.). It is open to UK Home Fee Status students aged 25 or younger on 1 September 2026 who are starting or continuing their first undergraduate degree at a partner university main campus, such as UCL, the University of Edinburgh, King's College London, or the University of Bristol. International and overseas fee-paying students are not eligible. Because partner universities, the number of awards, and the closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 details and deadline on the official Unite Foundation page before you apply.
What's covered
- Free accommodation — Up to three years of free accommodation in a modern en-suite room within a shared flat, worth roughly £6,000 to £8,000 per year (around €18,000 to €24,000 over three years (est.)).
- No rent, bills, or deposit — No rent, no bills, no deposit, and no guarantor required for the duration of the scholarship.
- 365-day housing guarantee — A year-round housing guarantee with no need to vacate the accommodation during holiday periods.
- Facilities and support — Free access to Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, communal kitchens, and on-site support services.
- Flexibility and community — The option to transfer to another Unite Students property (for example for internships) and access to a supportive student community with exclusive events.
How to apply
Applications are made online through the official Unite Foundation application portal, with supporting documents confirming care or estranged status.
- Check your eligibility — Confirm you hold UK Home Fee Status, are 25 or younger on 1 September 2026, study at a partner main campus, and meet the care leaver, care-experienced, or estranged definition.
- Review the guidance — Read the official Unite Foundation public guidance carefully and note all the instructions and required documents.
- Gather supporting documents — Collect supporting documents from your local authority or student finance body that evidence your care or estranged status.
- Submit your application — Complete and submit the online application through the official Unite Foundation portal before the deadline around 13 June 2026 (est.).
- Confirm with your university — Ensure your university confirms your details by the university confirmation deadline; results are announced in early July.
Eligibility
Fee statusMust hold UK Home Fee Status, such as UK citizens, those with settled or pre-settled status, refugee or asylum status, or indefinite leave to remain. International and overseas fee-paying students are not eligible.
Age and degreeMust be 25 years old or younger on 1 September 2026 and starting or continuing a first undergraduate degree at a partner university main campus.
BackgroundMust be a care leaver, care-experienced, or estranged student, applying for or receiving student finance support.
EvidenceMust provide supporting documents from a local authority or student finance body confirming the relevant status.
Only students at partner university main campuses are eligible; those at franchise or satellite campuses are not. Eligible definitions include care leaver (England, Wales, Northern Ireland), care experienced (Scotland), and estranged student recognised by Student Finance or SAAS.
Eligible countries
United Kingdom (UK Home Fee Status students only)
Deadlines
2026/2027 academic year~13 June 2026 (est.)
Selection
The Unite Foundation selects scholars from eligible care leaver, care-experienced, and estranged students who hold UK Home Fee Status and study at a partner main campus. Applicants must submit supporting documents from their local authority or student finance body, and universities confirm details before the results are announced in early July. Around 70 awards are made each year, and a reserve list operates after the main announcement.
Verified sources
- Unite Foundationunitefoundation.co.ukofficial
- Unite Foundation - Our Scholarshipunitefoundation.co.ukofficial
About the provider
The Unite Foundation is a UK charity, backed by student accommodation provider Unite Students, that supports young people who are care-experienced or estranged from their families. Its scholarship gives selected undergraduate students up to three years of free, secure accommodation at partner universities across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Unite Foundation Scholarship?
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UK Home Fee Status undergraduate students aged 25 or younger on 1 September 2026 who are care leavers, care-experienced, or estranged students and study at a partner university main campus.
What does the scholarship provide?
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Up to three years of free accommodation in a modern en-suite room, worth roughly £6,000 to £8,000 per year (around €18,000 to €24,000 over three years (est.)), with no rent, bills, deposit, or guarantor.
Does it cover tuition fees?
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No; the scholarship covers accommodation costs only, not tuition fees, though it removes a major living-cost barrier.
How many scholarships are available?
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Around 70 scholarships are available each year, so applying early is recommended.
Can international students apply?
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No; international and overseas fee-paying students are not eligible, as the scholarship requires UK Home Fee Status.
Which universities are partners?
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Major participating universities include UCL, the University of Edinburgh, King's College London, the University of Bristol, Queen Mary University of London, and others across England, Scotland, and Wales.
What does the 365-day housing guarantee mean?
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It means you keep your accommodation year-round, with no need to move out during the holidays.
What subjects can I study?
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All subjects are eligible; there are no subject restrictions.
What evidence do I need to provide?
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Supporting documents from your local authority or student finance body confirming your care leaver, care-experienced, or estranged status.
Am I eligible if I study at a franchise campus?
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No; only students at partner university main campuses are eligible, not those at franchise or satellite campuses.
When is the application deadline?
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Applications close around 13 June 2026 (est.) with results announced in early July; confirm the exact dates officially.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official Unite Foundation scholarship pages linked in the sources section.