The prestigious Battersea Scholarship offers significant financial support to care-experienced students pursuing undergraduate education at the University of Surrey. This comprehensive scholarship provides up to £16,000 over the course of a degree program, empowering recipients to focus on their academic journey without the burden of financial constraints.

About the Battersea Scholarship

The Battersea Scholarship represents a commitment to educational equity and access for students who have experienced care. Understanding that care-experienced individuals often face unique challenges in accessing higher education, this scholarship aims to remove financial barriers and provide ongoing support throughout the university journey.

Recipients of the Battersea Scholarship will receive £4,000 per academic year for three years of study. Additionally, students who undertake a Professional Training placement year will receive an extra £4,000 to support this valuable experiential learning opportunity. This structured financial support ensures stability throughout the entire undergraduate experience, allowing scholars to make the most of their time at Surrey.

The Battersea Scholarship reflects the University of Surrey’s dedication to diversity, inclusion, and creating pathways to success for all students, regardless of background. By providing substantial financial assistance to care-experienced individuals, the scholarship acknowledges the resilience and determination these students demonstrate in pursuing higher education.

The Vision Behind the Battersea Scholarship

The establishment of the Battersea Scholarship stems from recognition that care-experienced students are significantly underrepresented in higher education. Despite possessing tremendous potential, these students often face systemic barriers to university attendance and completion. This scholarship aims to address these disparities by providing not just financial support, but also recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives care-experienced students bring to the university community.

Through the Battersea Scholarship, the University of Surrey hopes to cultivate a more diverse student body where care-experienced individuals can thrive academically and personally. The scholarship supports the university’s broader mission of fostering an inclusive environment where all students have the opportunity to develop their talents fully.

Impact of the Battersea Scholarship

Previous recipients of the Battersea Scholarship have reported that the financial support allowed them to:

• – Focus more intently on their studies without working excessive hours in part-time employment
• – Participate more fully in university life, including societies and extracurricular activities
• – Secure appropriate accommodation and living arrangements
• – Access educational resources that enhance their learning experience
• – Build professional networks during their Professional Training year
• – Graduate with reduced financial burden compared to their peers

The long-term impact of the Battersea Scholarship extends beyond the individual recipient to influence broader social change by increasing representation of care-experienced individuals in professional fields and creating new role models for younger care-experienced people considering higher education.

Eligibility Criteria for the Battersea Scholarship

The Battersea Scholarship maintains specific eligibility requirements to ensure support reaches students with care experience. To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

Primary Eligibility Requirements

1. Be entering the first year of an undergraduate degree program at the University of Surrey
2. Hold Home/UK student status for fee purposes
3. Come from a care-experienced background as defined below
4. Demonstrate commitment to academic success and university participation

Defining Care Experience

For the purposes of the Battersea Scholarship, care-experienced students are defined as individuals who “have spent time in local authority care, in a residential children’s home, have been looked after at home by a supervision order or have lived with relatives under kinship care.”

Specifically, the Battersea Scholarship recognizes the following care experiences:

• – Living with foster carers under local authority care
• – Residing in residential care facilities, such as children’s homes
• – Being looked after at home under a formal supervision order
• – Living in kinship care arrangements with relatives or friends, either through official arrangements (such as special guardianship orders) or through informal arrangements without local authority support

The eligibility criteria recognize the diverse paths through the care system and acknowledge that care experience takes many forms. Students who have had any of these experiences, regardless of duration, are encouraged to apply for the Battersea Scholarship.

Additional Considerations

While the primary focus of the Battersea Scholarship is care experience, the selection committee also considers factors such as:

• – Academic potential and motivation
• – Financial need
• – Obstacles overcome
• – Commitment to personal development
• – Potential to contribute to the university community

These additional considerations help ensure that the scholarship supports students who will benefit most from the financial assistance and who demonstrate the determination to succeed in their studies at Surrey.

How to Apply for the Battersea Scholarship

The application process for the Battersea Scholarship has been designed to be straightforward while allowing applicants to effectively communicate their experiences, achievements, and aspirations.

Application Process Overview

To apply for the Battersea Scholarship, eligible students must complete all sections of the official application form. The application requests information about:

1. Personal details and contact information
2. Care experience background
3. Educational history and achievements
4. Financial circumstances
5. Personal statement explaining how the scholarship would support their educational journey
6. References who can verify care experience and speak to potential

Important Application Guidelines

When completing your Battersea Scholarship application, consider the following recommendations:

• – Be thorough and specific when describing your care experience
• – Clearly articulate how the scholarship would impact your ability to succeed at university
• – Highlight any academic achievements, community involvement, or personal growth that demonstrates your potential
• – Ensure all supporting documentation is included with your application
• – Submit your complete application before the deadline

Battersea Scholarship Timeline

The key dates for the 2025 Battersea Scholarship cycle are:

• – Application opening: August 2025
• – Application deadline: October 5, 2025
• – Review period: October-November 2025
• – Notification of outcomes: During first semester (typically by December 2025)
• – Disbursement of funds: Beginning of each term throughout the academic program

Scholarship Exclusivity

It’s important to note that recipients of the Battersea Scholarship cannot receive this award in addition to other University bursaries. This exclusivity ensures that financial support is distributed as widely as possible among students with financial need. Applicants who may qualify for multiple forms of support should consider which option would be most beneficial for their specific circumstances.

Selection Process

The Battersea Scholarship selection process is competitive, and not all applicants will receive an award. Applications are reviewed by a dedicated committee that includes representatives from various university departments and financial aid services. The committee evaluates each application holistically, considering all aspects of the student’s background, achievements, and potential.

Selected finalists may be invited for an interview or asked to provide additional information before the final decision is made. This thorough selection process ensures that the Battersea Scholarship is awarded to a student who both meets all eligibility criteria and demonstrates exceptional potential to benefit from and contribute to the university community.

Supporting Your Battersea Scholarship Journey

The University of Surrey recognizes that applying for scholarships can be a daunting process, especially for care-experienced students who may be navigating higher education without traditional family support systems. To assist applicants, several resources are available:

Application Support

The university offers guidance for completing scholarship applications, including:

• – Virtual information sessions specifically about the Battersea Scholarship
• – One-on-one application review appointments with student finance advisors
• – Resources for obtaining documentation of care experience
• – Feedback on personal statements from academic support services

Ongoing Support for Care-Experienced Students

Recipients of the Battersea Scholarship join a supportive community at the University of Surrey. Beyond financial assistance, care-experienced students can access:

• – Dedicated advisors specializing in supporting students from care backgrounds
• – Year-round accommodation options (including during holidays)
• – Mentoring from staff and older students
• – Career development opportunities tailored to their unique experiences
• – Community events connecting care-experienced students

These support mechanisms help ensure that Battersea Scholars have the resources they need to thrive throughout their university experience, from application through graduation and beyond.

Professional Training Year Support

A distinctive feature of the Battersea Scholarship is the inclusion of £4,000 for students who undertake a Professional Training Year (PTY). This additional year of study, typically completed between the second and final years of an undergraduate program, provides invaluable industry experience and professional connections.

Benefits of the Professional Training Year

The Professional Training placement offers numerous advantages:

• – Practical industry experience that complements academic learning
• – Development of workplace skills and professional networks
• – Enhanced employability upon graduation
• – Clarification of career goals and aspirations
• – Potential for job offers from placement employers

How the Battersea Scholarship Supports PTY Students

The £4,000 allocated for the Professional Training Year helps care-experienced students overcome common barriers to participating in placements. While many placements are paid, some (particularly in nonprofit and public sectors) offer minimal compensation. The scholarship funding ensures that Battersea Scholars can choose placements based on career aspirations rather than financial necessity.

The scholarship support during the Professional Training Year can help with:

• – Relocation costs if the placement is in a different geographic area
• – Professional clothing and equipment
• – Transportation expenses
• – Additional living costs during the placement period
• – Supplementing income from lower-paid but highly valuable placement opportunities

By including support for the Professional Training Year, the Battersea Scholarship demonstrates a commitment to the complete educational experience and long-term career success of care-experienced students.

Contact Information and Further Assistance

The University of Surrey is committed to making the Battersea Scholarship application process accessible and transparent. For any questions about eligibility, application procedures, or scholarship terms, dedicated support staff are available to assist prospective applicants.

Primary Contact for Battersea Scholarship Inquiries

For all questions regarding the Battersea Scholarship, please contact:

Email: bursariesandscholarships@surrey.ac.uk

When contacting about the Battersea Scholarship, include “Battersea Scholarship Inquiry” in your subject line to ensure your message is directed appropriately.

Additional Resources

In addition to direct contact with the scholarships team, prospective applicants can access:

• – The University of Surrey’s comprehensive financial support webpages
• – Care-experienced student support services
• – Student money advisors who can discuss various funding options
• – Admissions advisors who can provide guidance on the application process
• – Virtual information sessions about financial support for care-experienced students

Commitment to Accessibility

The University of Surrey recognizes that navigating scholarship applications can be challenging and is committed to providing accessible support. If you require application materials in alternative formats or need additional accommodations during the application process, please contact the scholarships team using the email address above.

Conclusion

The Battersea Scholarship represents a significant opportunity for care-experienced students to pursue higher education at the University of Surrey with substantial financial support. By providing £4,000 per year for three years of study, plus additional support for a Professional Training Year if taken, the scholarship helps remove financial barriers and empowers recipients to focus on their academic and personal development.

Care-experienced students bring unique perspectives, resilience, and determination to the university community. The Battersea Scholarship acknowledges these valuable contributions while addressing the specific challenges these students may face in accessing and completing higher education.

Eligible students entering their first year of undergraduate study at the University of Surrey are strongly encouraged to apply for this competitive scholarship before the October 5, 2025 deadline. The investment in your education through the Battersea Scholarship could be transformative, supporting not just your time at university but your long-term professional and personal growth.

For more information or assistance with your application, contact bursariesandscholarships@surrey.ac.uk and begin your journey toward becoming a Battersea Scholar at the University of Surrey.