‘It sounds absolutely terrifying’: Care experienced students’ views on graduating from university.
Sophie sits on her bed in her room in a house she is currently sharing with friends at university. In the second year of a Social Science degree at university, Sophie seemed much happier this time than the last time we spoke, over Zoom, as part of my research on care experienced students in universities in England and Wales. Previously, Sophie had spoken about her isolation and loneliness, and I was uncertain about how university was going for her. Since our last conversation, her situation had changed considerably; she had made some good friends and started an art society. Socially, things were going well for her. However, Sophie was fast approaching the end of her degree and whilst she was content with her current situation, when we discussed the imminent completion of her studies, her worries and anxieties about graduating were palpable:
I’m very scared. I think that I, it makes me kind of sad, as well because I’ve [had] such a wonderful, amazing time, specifically, second year. I’ve had such a wonderful time, made so many amazing memories…
Sophie is not alone in worrying about finishing university. For many, university is a time of intellectual growth and development, a time when new friendships are made and support systems established. But leaving university can signal the abrupt end of many forms of support, evoking considerable anxiety for many care experienced students, especially related to finding accommodation and employment.
Whilst most universities in England and Wales now provide care leavers and care experienced students with financial and accommodation support during their undergraduate study (such as year-round student accommodation), these tend to end upon completion of undergraduate study. As such, they often experience a sudden and abrupt loss of accommodation and financial, social and emotional support from both university and local authorities when they finish their undergraduate programmes. For many, this is linked to a lack of a practical or physical ‘safety net’, particularly around accommodation after leaving university. Therefore, it is unsurprising that Sophie expressed that she was ‘scared’ about her future after graduating and she discussed her uncertainties around housing.
Yeah, because it’s all very unknown, like even though I’m on the housing list, I might get a place, I might not get a place. So what do, if I don’t get a place, where does all my stuff go? Where am I going to sleep? And like I have been worrying about that for like a year and a half before anything…(Sophie).
My research has indicated the need for more sustained forms of support from universities and local authorities beyond graduation. This should include access to accommodation in the weeks and months following graduation, greater ongoing financial support, and joined-up planning with external services and local authorities. We would like the Welsh Government to ensure clearer leaving-care commitments, collaboration between universities and local authorities, and sustained funding for specialist organisations. With this support, leaving university can be a positive experience for all.
The accounts of young people and the recommendations from this study have been summarised in this short film.
Further information is available in the following publications:
Evans, C. (2024). Care experienced students’ transitions to university: learning identities, prior educational experiences and socio-cultural contexts. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 45(7–8), 1059–1073. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2024.2392148
Evans, C. (2025). The ethics of love and care in higher education: Perspectives of students with care experience. Higher Education, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-025-01563-4
I would like to thank the Society for Research into Higher Education who funded the research and the students and graduates who kindly gave up their time to take part in the research.
Dr Ceryn Evans
Senior Lecturer, Department of Education and Childhood Studies, Swansea University
