Unite Students offers extra accommodation lifeline for students without family support

• The introduction of single year scholarships comes off the back of continued demand for Unite Foundation’s three-year scholarship programme 

• From an offering of 60 single-year scholarships, Unite Students have so far confirmed over 40 places for care experienced and estranged students 

• The one-year tenancies cover all accommodation costs including utility bills  

For most students, going to university comes with the reassurance of having family support to fall back on. For care-experienced and estranged students, that safety net often doesn’t exist. 

This year, nearly 500 care-experienced and estranged students applied for the Unite Foundation’s 70 rent-free, three-year accommodation scholarships designed to help them access and succeed in higher education.  

In response to this high level of demand, Unite Students, the UK’s largest provider of student accommodation, has offered 60 additional single year, rent-free tenancies available for the 2026/27 academic year – with over 40 places gifted to date. 

The tenancies will support students who missed out on a scholarship place, building on the work of Unite Foundation, which has provided more than 950 care-experienced and estranged students with free accommodation since 2012. 

The new support comes as evidence shows that students without family support face a sharper financial challenge before they even arrive at university. 

Findings from the 2026 Applicant Index demonstrate the scale of the financial pressures facing these students. Almost all (95%) care-experienced and estranged applicants expect to work during term time, compared with 85% of applicants from other backgrounds.  

Financial concerns are also influencing university choices. Care-experienced and estranged applicants were 10 percentage points more likely to say they would choose a university they could commute to because of the cost of living. They were also 12 percentage points more likely to cite the cost of learning resources as one of their biggest concerns about starting university.  

Together, these findings illustrate the significant financial barriers they face and reinforces the importance of targeted support that helps them access and succeed in higher education.

Unite Students founded the Unite Foundation in 2012 to provide nationwide rent and bill-free homes at university to young people without family support. To date, it has donated over £20million to support student community building, research and work advocating for care experienced and estranged students within the higher education sector.    

Unite Foundation scholarship student, Emily, said: “The Unite Foundation has changed my life in so many ways. When care experienced or estranged students don’t need to worry about paying for accommodation and have a guaranteed place to live, it gives us a sense of stability and security that we may never have had before, and it allows us to fully concentrate on our studies and enjoy our time at university.”  

Mike Burt, CFO at Unite Students and Unite Foundation Trustee, said: “Through our partnership with Unite Foundation, we are committed to breaking down the barriers that can prevent care-experienced and estranged students from accessing higher education.  

Given the high level of demand, we know that not every applicant will secure a scholarship. By extending our Single-Year Gift scheme, we hope to support even more care-experienced and estranged students, helping to ease their journey through university and enabling them to thrive both academically and personally.” 

Quotes from Unite Foundation scholars who stared this academic year:  

“This gift will have a lasting impact on my life. Having the security of accommodation will make a huge difference to both my studies and my university experience. I’m incredibly excited for the years ahead.”  

“This scholarship is more than financial support – it has given me hope, stability, confidence, and the chance to build a future I once thought was impossible. Every achievement I have made has been possible because of this opportunity. When I achieve my career dreams, I want to share my story so that people know how much the Unite Foundation transformed my life.”