The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama is committed to increasing the number of care experienced students and care leavers accessing Higher Education.
We understand that choosing where to study and the application and registration processes can be particularly stressful experiences for care leavers and we have a range of support available to assist students throughout the Student Lifecycle:
Pre-arrival
Central works closely with a number of organisations within London who support care experienced and care leaver students such as Inner Circle, Care to Culture, Corum and The Big House.
We are happy to arrange individual visits to campus for students and personal advisers. These visits provide prospective applicants with the opportunity to discuss the following with the Access and Participation Manager (who acts an advocate for all care experienced students and care leavers) and a representative from the Student Advice Service:
- Financial support
- Learning support
- Counselling service
- Accommodation support
On-course support:
The Access and Participation Manager acts a key point of contact for care leavers and supports them on an advocacy basis during their studies. The Access and Participation Manager works closely with colleagues across the institution and is able to signpost to students our various student support functions.
Accommodation: Central has an allocation of rooms in the University of London’s Intercollegiate Halls. There are also several private Halls of Residence close to Central. Students also rent in shared houses with other Central students and we run Sharers’ Days to help people with this process. We would encourage you to contact Central’s Student Advice Service for accommodation information and advice – Their email address is [email protected]
Finance: We have a bursary for care leavers providing at least £1000 per academic year. This fund is to contribute to your living costs and costs associated with studying.
If you would like to discuss any concerns you may have, or would like to find out more, please contact us via [email protected].
Graduation and beyond
We provide all care experienced students and care leavers with an exit bursary when they leave Central and we make referrals to Drive Forward -Home - Drive Forward Foundation – for graduating students.
Additionally, we also support graduating students with costs associated with graduation – tickets for two guests and cap and gowns.
