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Experience Uni is a free overnight event for young people aged 14-17 with experience of local authority care. Try student life for yourself in Norwich on Tuesday 8 - Wednesday 9 April 2025.
If you’re aged 14-17 with recent or current experience of local authority care, this event is for you!
We know that some students leaving foster or residential care have additional questions or worries about their journey to university. This event will provide you with information and activities designed to build your knowledge and confidence about going to university in the future.
This is a proud collaboration between two Higher Education providers in the region: UEA and Norwich University of the Arts (NUA).
This event is completely free; we will pay for your accommodation, food, and reasonable travel costs to Norwich. You’ll stay in your own room in UEA accommodation and experience life at two very different universities. You will have the opportunity to:
Meet university staff and current students.
Meet other young people and take part in sport and social activities.
Find out more about the courses and careers which interest you.
Learn about specific support for university students after leaving care.
Places are limited. Please read the eligibility guidance below. If you have any questions at all, please contact Liz Ferguson (UEA Outreach) at includingme@uea.ac.uk.
Am I eligible?
I’ll be aged between 14-17 at the time of the event on 8-9 April 2025.
I am living in the care of a local authority or in kinship care, or recently left care (within
12 months), or am studying without any family support.
I’m attending school, college or sixth form, or an alternative training and education provider.
I’m interested in finding out about opportunities at university and want to stay overnight in accommodation at UEA for one night.
I live within reasonable travel distance of Norwich.
Please note, priority will be given to those who have not already attended an Experience Uni residential in previous years. If more students apply than we can accommodate, the organisers will keep a waiting list.
Contact us
Are you a student with questions about uni? Talk to Liz Ferguson in the Outreach team on UniBuddy:
You can also book an informal video chat with Liz, to book select a date and time from the calendar:
View the UEA page on the Propel website for a quick overview of all the support available to students with care experience.
The designated contact for Care Leavers at UEA is Lucy Kemp, Head of Holistic Student Experience. Contact Lucy on: cees@uea.ac.uk
Young people with experience of local authority care can request a visit to our campus and a guided tour with one of our friendly current students. Get in touch at includingme@uea.ac.uk to arrange a visit.
Financial support
UEA offers a specific bursary (free money!) to Care Leaver students. Full criteria and more information can be found in our finance section of the site.
We also offer a range of Scholarships for students joining UEA. Review the options and apply online, check out our Scholarship Finder:
Supporting carers and professionals
We are keen to work with foster carers, social workers, teachers, advisers and other stakeholders, and can participate in professional development conferences, workshops and training days. Email Liz at includingme@uea.ac.uk.