Money and Finance
Support from UCB
UCB offers financial support to students in different ways depending on whether you’re studying at college-level or for a university-level course:
College Support
If you’re on a college course, the support available will depend on things like your age and household income. You may be eligible for some or all of the following:
- Travel costs support
- Free college meals
- Support with the cost of childcare
- Uniforms or equipment (this is course-specific)
UCB does not offer financial support towards the costs of a further education course itself.
To find out more, contact financialsupport@ucb.ac.uk.
University Support
If you’re on a university degree course, UCB may be able to support you through their hardship fund or in the form of a payment plan. You can also find details of support for specific uses on their website.
UCB’s Hardship Fund is available to students experiencing temporary and unexpected financial difficulty, often due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control. Support from the Hardship Fund is decided based on the specific needs of the student and their circumstances. To request a meeting to discuss the Hardship Fund, either email f.support@ucb.ac.uk or visit Student Support in Baskerville House.
If you’re experiencing problems paying your tuition fees, you should speak to the Student Finance team as soon as possible to find out if a payment can be postponed or divided into multiple payments as part of a payment plan. These types of personalised plans are normally only available when you can show that you will be able to pay the required balance, and so the total amount to be paid to UCB is unlikely to be reduced. To discuss a payment plan, email ucbstudentfinance@ucb.ac.uk.
External Support
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can provide independent advice and information on finances, money and debt. They have a broad range of resources and information available to access on their website, where you can also chat with a debt advisor via instant messaging.
You can also contact their Information Helpline from 9.30-16.30pm, Monday-Friday:
Telephone 08082787990.
Student Finance England
Student Finance England may be able to lend you money to help pay for University or College tuition fees and be able to help with living costs. Some students may be able to access additional funding if you are disabled, have children/caring responsibilities or if you/your family have a low income.
Council Tax
Students are exempt from paying Council Tax, you just need to provide evidence of your student status.
As a UCB student, you can now view, share, download and print a letter confirming your Student Status through the “My Letters” option in the UCB Portal Menu.
- Home Students can automatically receive the confirmation of enrolment as a UCB student
- International Students can automatically receive the Bank Letter, the International Status Letter confirming the enrolment status and the confirmation of permission to work in the United Kingdom.
To download your letters:
- Log on to your UCB portal
- Select “Menu” on the top right of the web page.
- Scroll down to the “My Letters” section.
- Select “Log In With Azure”.
- Log In with your student email address (StudentID@student.ucb.ac.uk) and password.
- Choose the view documents option to view your letters.