Care leavers
BSMS is committed to supporting students that are care leavers. In this section you can find out about the support available, alongside details of the relevant contacts to assist you both during your application and once you have started your studies.
Application process
When you submit your application, we will contact you and ask you to upload documentation to prove that you are in Local Authority Care, or have been previously, for a minimum of 3 months. Once we have established this, and if you meet the academic requirements, we will guarantee you an interview at BSMS.
Details of our contextual data entry requirements can be found above.
Accommodation
BSMS students may live in halls either on the University of Brighton campus, or the University of Sussex campus during their first year. Due to the nature of the course medical students are grouped together in certain blocks on the campuses where possible. As a care leaver you are able to stay in accommodation* for 52 weeks of the year.
Find out details of the available accommodation options here >
*Students may be asked to move to different halls during the summer period due to event bookings on the campuses. For the University of Brighton this may include moving to halls within the city centre or Moulsecoomb. At the University of Sussex, you will remain on the same campus.
Hardship Fund
Care leavers are a priority group in receiving support from the universities’ Hardship Fund*. If during your studies, you unexpectedly experience financial difficulties you can make an appointment with a Money Advisor.
University of Sussex: sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/funding/hardship
University of Brighton: brighton.ac.uk/brighton-students/your-student-life/finances/hardship-funding
*Please note you can only apply to one of the Universities’ Hardship Funds.
You may also be eligible for the Sussex Bursary
Pastoral support
Once you arrive at BSMS a member of our Student Support Team will be in contact with you to arrange a ‘welcome meeting’ to discuss how you are settling in. They can provide a variety of support whilst you are studying.
Read more about the pastoral support available >
Useful contacts
BSMS
For support during the application process please contact: Claire Johnson (Widening Participation and Outreach Manager): c.johnson2@bsms.ac.uk or tel: 01273 641841
Once you have accepted your place with us, or have arrived with us, please contact: Tabitha Ellwood (Student Welfare Advisor): T.Ellwood@bsms.ac.uk
University of Brighton
If you are considering living on the University of Brighton campus, the following contact will be able to provide you with information and support before you arrive - Amy Adams (Outreach Officer): A.R.Adams@brighton.ac.uk or tel: 07792396266.
University of Sussex
If you are considering living on the University of Sussex campus, the following contact will be able to provide you with information and support before you arrive - Melinda Finn (Retention and Progression Manager): M.C.Finn@sussex.ac.uk or tel: 01273 678865.
Other support
Below are links to external website that may be able to provide you with support:
Chances for Children: Buttle UK: buttleuk.org
Become: The Charity for Children in Care and Young Care Leavers: becomecharity.org.uk
The Care Leavers Foundation: thecareleaversfoundation.org
Capstone: Care Leavers Trust: capstonecareleaverstrust.org
StandAlone: Supporting People that are Estranged: standalone.org.uk
The Scholarship Hub: thescholarshiphub.org.uk