Unite Foundation

The Unite Foundation, an independent UK charity established in 2012 by Unite Students, is dedicated to transforming higher education access for care-experienced and estranged young people under 25 who lack family support. Its mission focuses on breaking barriers to university through social mobility, inclusion, and long-term change, providing a stable base for these disadvantaged students to thrive, complete degrees, and access equal life opportunities. Core values emphasize tackling disadvantage, fostering belonging, and delivering practical support via the "All of Us" peer community, with independent research evidencing improved progression, wellbeing, and employability for over 800 scholars.

The Foundation exclusively funds the Unite Foundation Scholarship: up to three years of rent-free, year-round university accommodation (including post-graduation summer) for eligible UK home fee-status undergraduates pursuing their first degree at one of over 30 partner universities in England and Scotland, such as UCL, King's College London, University of Edinburgh, and University of Sheffield. It addresses housing insecurity, isolation, and homelessness risk through this holistic, multi-year programme, partnering with institutions for wraparound support rather than general grants.

Eligibility is strictly for individual care leavers, Scottish care-experienced youth, or formally estranged students (verified by Student Finance), with applications requiring university approval. It does not fund organisations, charities, postgraduates, second degrees, or non-partner unis; unsolicited organisational applications are rejected. Typical awards equate to £8,000–£11,000 annually in accommodation value. Applications via online form open annually on 1 January, closing 13 June 2026 for the next cycle, with results by early July. This specialised, evidence-based model uniquely maximises educational equity for a narrow beneficiary group.