Additional Support at Ravensbourne

Explore how Ravensbourne can support you to apply and succeed

Access and Participation at Ravensbourne

We support a wide range of learners to apply, succeed and progress into employment beyond Ravensbourne. 

We recognise some students may require additional support throughout their journey into Higher Education. Our Access and Participation Plan identifies these groups and the actions that Ravensbourne is committed to undertaking. You will find descriptions of these groups and some helpful links, information and guidance below.

Departments and programmes offering additional support

Please see the below webpages for further information on bursaries, student success and more. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch via our website or by contacting the individual departments listed below.

Students who are first in their family to go to university

Students who are first in their family to go to university refers to learners whose parents or carers did not attend university. Even if you have siblings or other relatives who have attended or graduated from university, you would be considered first in family if your parents or carers did not attend. You might also hear the term ‘first generation’ being used.

There are lots of students in higher education who are first in family, and it’s an exciting position to be in. Some students might benefit from additional support to apply and succeed at university. The above linked departments and programmes might be helpful to you and we would encourage you to sign up for the THRIVE programme if you are also a UK Home student. In addition, the below resources may be helpful:

Students who are care experienced or estranged

Students who are care experienced or 'care leavers', or those who are estranged (have little or no contact with their biological or adoptive parents) may benefit from the departments and programmes linked above, and we would encourage you to sign up to the THRIVE programme if you are also a UK Home student.

Students who are carers

If you have caring responsibilities, the above linked departments and programmes offer support to manage the financial, social and personal impact of caring roles. We would recommend you to sign up to the THRIVE programme, for which you would be eligible if you are also a UK Home Student. 

Additionally, the below resources may be helpful:

Disabled students

Disabled students, including those with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), neurodivergence or mental health condition, may face additional barriers to applying to and making the most of university. The above linked departments and programmes offer financial, social and learning support. We would also recommend you to sign up to the THRIVE programme, for which you would be eligible if you are also a UK Home student. 

The below links and resources may also be of use: 

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students may face additional barriers to applying to and making the most of their time at university. The above linked departments and programmes should be helpful for those seeking support, and we would also recommend you to sign up to the THRIVE programme, for which you would be eligible if you are also a UK Home student.

 

Students who were service children

'Service children' refers to students whose parents or carers are current or former UK Armed Forces personnel. If you were a 'service child', you may face additional barriers to applying to and making the most of their time at university. The above linked departments and programmes should be helpful for those seeking support, and we would also recommend you to sign up to the THRIVE programme, for which you would be eligible. 

The following may also be helpful: 

Mature students

'Mature students' refers to students who are returning to education following a break. Being 21 or over when beginning an undergraduate degree at Ravensbourne would classify you as a 'mature student'. The above linked departments and programmes should be helpful for those seeking support, and we would also recommend you to sign up to the THRIVE programme, for which you would be eligible if you are also a UK Home Student. 

The following may also be helpful: 

Students with parental responsibilities

If you are a parent applying to or attending university, you may find the above linked departments and programmes helpful. Additionally, we would recommend you sign up to the THRIVE programme, for which you would be eligible if you are also a UK Home Student. 

The following may also be of use: 

Students from low-income households and students who were eligible for free school meals

If your family income is less than £30,000 annually, you may be eligible for bursaries as detailed above under departments and programmes offering additional support. 

If you are from a low-income household and/or were eligible for free school meals as a child, we would also recommend you to sign up to the THRIVE programme, for which you would be eligible if you are also a UK Home Student. 

International Student Support

Our International Student Support Team provide a range of support services to our international students. You can find their webpage here, or you can e-mail them on [email protected].  

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