A Transformative Opportunity for Care‑Experienced Young People Across the UK

The Open University’s Care Experienced Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year is a major initiative designed to remove financial barriers and expand access to higher education for young people who have experience of being in care. Developed in partnership with The John Lewis Partnership as part of the Building Happier Futures initiative, this scholarship provides ten fully funded undergraduate study opportunities for eligible applicants aged 30 and under.

This programme is built on the understanding that care‑experienced young people often face significant challenges in progressing to higher education. The Open University (OU) aims to bridge this gap by offering flexible, accessible, and fully funded learning pathways that allow students to study from home, maintain stability, and build a strong academic foundation for their future.

Why This Scholarship Matters

Young people with care experience are statistically less likely to enter higher education due to disrupted schooling, instability, and limited support networks. The OU’s open‑access model and distance‑learning approach provide a unique opportunity for these learners to re‑engage with education on their own terms.

The Care Experienced Scholarship ensures that financial constraints do not stand in the way of academic progress. It covers full tuition fees, supports flexible learning, and empowers students to pursue a wide range of undergraduate qualifications.

What the Scholarship Covers

The scholarship provides:

• Full tuition fees for OU undergraduate credit‑bearing qualifications
• Coverage of up to 120 credits per seasonal academic year
• A maximum of 360 credits in total, enough to complete a full undergraduate degree
• Access to OU’s flexible, distance‑learning model, allowing students to study from home
• Support from the OU’s student services and academic teams

This funding ensures that recipients can focus entirely on their studies without the burden of tuition costs.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Care Experienced Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be 30 years of age or under on 1 September 2026
2. Be starting OU study for the first time in the 2026/27 academic year
3. Be ordinarily resident in the UK and eligible for UK fee status
4. Hold no existing higher education qualifications
5. Provide proof of care experience, such as:
   • A letter from a Local Authority confirming care‑leaver status
   • A letter from a GP, social worker, or care‑experienced support service
6. Have a gross personal income of £25,000 or less, or receive a qualifying benefit
7. Be studying a module as part of an undergraduate qualification between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027
8. Be studying a minimum of 30 credits per year

These criteria ensure that the scholarship reaches those who will benefit most from financial and educational support.

Supporting Evidence Required

Applicants must submit:

• Evidence of care experience, such as official letters from relevant authorities
• Proof of income or documentation confirming receipt of a qualifying benefit

This documentation helps the review panel assess eligibility fairly and consistently.

Who Supports the Scholarship?

This scholarship is made possible through the generosity of several donors committed to improving opportunities for care‑experienced young people:

• The John Lewis Partnership
• The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
• The Iron Bridge Trust

Their contributions ensure that more young people can access life‑changing educational opportunities.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are now open. To apply:

1. Download the full scholarship terms and conditions
2. Download and complete the application form
3. Email the completed form and supporting evidence to the Student Fees team (contact details are on the application form)

A review panel will assess applications based on the impact of each applicant’s care experience.

Application Deadline:

Midday on 1 July 2026

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 17 July 2026. Successful candidates will also receive support to prepare for study and select appropriate courses.