Overview
Deciding to pursue further education at college or university, start an apprenticeship or even self-study, while caring for someone is a big choice to make. Of course, you want to make sure your cared-for is still receiving the level of care they need, but further education can open you to new skills, opportunities for better career options, as well as personal growth. Finding a balance between the need to care and the pursuit of education is a vital one. This guide will help you to consider the key points, to help you plan and make an informed choice, no matter if you’re a young carer or an adult carer.
Reflect on Your Goals and Caring Role
In order to work out if further education is the right choice for you and your caring role, you first must take a critical look at your current situation, and the reasons for pursuing higher education.
Ask yourself why you want to study and what it is you hope to achieve from it. Are you aiming to pursue a new line of work or career options that require certain qualifications and/or diplomas or degrees? Are you looking for new challenges in your life, is a degree something that you would like or is it a pleasant outcome of your further studies challenge? Do you need to spend 3–4 years studying at a college or university, is this something you can focus on in your own time?
Begin by writing down what it is you do in your caring role. You can refer to the copy of your Carer’s Assessment to jog your memory, but it will also put things into perspective. You may only spend a few hours every evening caring, or it may be more than you realise. Also, make a note of what it is you do, to better understand what mental, emotional, and or physical demands are made of you. Be honest with yourself, It will help you to better understand your next steps and create a plan that suits you.
Recognise that caring can be emotionally and physically demanding, time-consuming, and could require your immediate attention at any given time.
Explore Your Study Options
There are several paths for further study, each with their own positives and negatives:
Full-time Study
This is the traditional route, with most undergraduate courses lasting 3–4 years (three years for a typical BA/BSc). As a full-time student, you usually spend around 35 hours per week on your studies, including lectures, seminars and self-study. The upside is that you will finish sooner and fully immerse yourself in the student life, with access to all campus facilities, clubs and support services. Funding options are also widest for full-time: you can apply for tuition and maintenance loans, and apply for grants like the Adult Defendants’ Grant (if applicable). On the flip side, full-time study is very demanding. You’ll have a packed schedule and less flexibility, so managing caring duties can be difficult.
Important Note: you will NOT be able to claim Carer’s Allowance during full-time study. Think carefully if full-time fits your situation.
Part-time Study
Many universities and colleges allow part-time enrolment. You would take fewer classes each term and stretch the course over more years. For example, many part-time undergraduates take about six years to finish instead of three. The great advantage is flexibility: you can study in the evenings or on certain days, leaving time to work or care during other periods. About 70% of Open University students study part-time while working full-time, and you could similarly combine part-time study with caring. Part-time students can still apply for student loans for tuition, although maintenance loans are smaller and may require at least 25% of a full-time course load. A key benefit is that studying less than 21 hours a week may allow you to keep receiving Carer’s Allowance, giving you some financial continuity. The main downside is that it takes longer to graduate and your course might cost more in total. Also, certain support like the Adult Dependants’ Grant is not available for part-timers. If you have a clear caregiving commitment but want a degree, part-time can be a great option.
Modular Study
This approach is often offered through distance universities like the Open University. You study one “module” (course unit) at a time, accumulating credits towards a qualification. This can look like part-time study, but even more flexible – you could pause between modules if needed. Modular study allows you to pay as you go and potentially take just a single course for interest. It can be ideal if your situation is very unpredictable. However, because it’s usually not a continuous load, funding is tricky (loans typically cover a minimum of two modules). It relies heavily on self-motivation and organisation, as you might have few deadlines. If you like a gradual pace and real-world commitments are high, modular learning through a university of the arts or OU-type institution might suit you.
Distance Learning (Online Study)
Many universities now offer courses that are taught remotely. The Open University is the most prominent provider in the UK, but many other universities also have online degrees or blended learning programmes. Distance learning means you study mostly from home, accessing materials and lectures via the internet or mail. Carers UK notes that “studying online can be easier to fit around caring than a classroom-based course”. You can often choose your own study times, which helps when caring duties fluctuate. Other advantages include possibly lower tuition and no travel costs. You can usually do a distance course full-time or part-time; both options exist. According to UCAS, distance courses have all the same academic standards but require discipline. On the downside, you’ll miss out on the on-campus community and direct support; you’ll mainly interact with tutors online. However, many students with family or work commitments find distance learning a lifeline. If you choose this, ensure you have a reliable study setup (computer, internet) and carve out dedicated workspace and time each week.
Weighing The Pros and Cons
Do you need a degree, or will a diploma be more suitable? Are you studying for career advancements or personal fulfilment? Do you need to devote an intense 3-4 years to achieving your goals, or would a more relaxed and part-time approach be more suitable? Remember, choose the path that suits your situation and your goals – do not bend your life to meet the requirements of a university or college. Not all options will be suitable for you, and that is normal. For example, don’t choose a university or college that requires you to study full-time and to travel long distances, if the care you provide needs you to be available at a moment’s notice.
Having a contingency or back-up plan in place could help give you more freedom in your choice. Having someone else who can provide support or care, should you be delayed or unable to reach your cared-for, is a great idea to have regardless of whether you’re studying or not. Learn more about and create a contingency plan with our e-learning tool by clicking here.
To help you decide on which option is best for you, the classic method of creating a list of pros and cons will help you to decide on the right option for you. For example, full-time study offers the full immersive experience and more finance options. However, it means giving up your carer’s allowance and reducing flexibility in your time. Part-time study offers more flexibility and if studying fewer than 21 hours you are still eligible for carer’s allowance. However, finance options are more limited, and the course lengths are increased. Then you have the ultimate in flexibility with online/distant studying, enabling you to be there with you cared-for whenever you, wherever they may be. However, it further limits finance options, and you lose the social interaction with classmates and tutors/lecturers.
Deciding what is right for you, by comparing all the options and the limits you have to work with, will help you understand your best choices. Don’t forget, compromises can be made too. For example, the vast majority of first year studies are formative and do not impact your final grade and degree. It may be worth going full-time for the first year and part-time for the subsequent years. It depends on how your circumstances develop. Options do exist for you
Financial Support
Studying can be expensive, luckily there are options and supports available.
Student Finance
This is usually for degree courses and can be applied for through Student Finance England/Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland. This can cover tuition fees and maintenance loans, which you will need to repay after graduation. What you pay back and how much you pay back depends on whether you earn over the minimum income threshold, which changes every year. It is also worth noting that you will be charged interest on your student loans, which is usually at or around 4.3%. Learn more about interest and repaying your student loans here
Carers’ Scholarships and University Bursaries
The Open University Carer’s Scholarship Fund is an initiative from Carers Trust and The Open University (OU). If you are or have been an unpaid carer in the past two years, you can study OU modules from free – up to 360 credits, equivalent to an Honours Degree. The Scholarship will cover all tuition fees. Learn about The Open University Carers’ Scholarship Fund here.
The Open University Carer’s Bursary is a £250 award to registered students providing unpaid care to a friend or family member who, due to an illness, disability, mental health condition, or addiction, cannot cope without their care. Learn more about The Open university Bursary here.
Other universities also offer similar funds. For example, Cardiff University offers a Young Adult Carers Bursary of £1,000 per year to eligible full-time undergraduates, aged 18–25, who care for a family member. Learn more about this bursary here.
There are many universities that offer bursaries for students in special categories, such as unpaid carers. So be sure to check with their websites under ‘funding’ and/or ‘student support’ sections. Universities will often post you a prospectus or provide digital versions for download, and they too should mention the latest information regarding bursaries and support. So, requesting/downloading from your top picks could help you make an informed choice. Even a small offer of support could make a difference, such as funds for books and IT equipment, or even transport.
16–19 Bursary Fund
Although not directly related to unpaid carers, the government’s Bursary Fund may help. Young carers, aged 16–18, and living in a difficult situation might qualify for a ‘vulnerable’ bursary, worth £1,200 per year. This can relate to those in care, on low incomes, receiving benefits, etc. Learn more about 16–19 Bursary Fund here.
Additional Funding and Grants
As you cannot get Carer’s Allowance while studying full-time, making sure you are financially supported can be vital to the success of your educational endeavours. Other student support is available from Trusts and charities, specially for unpaid carers, as well as for people who are on benefits or live in certain circumstances, i.e., low income or on benefits. For example, Carers Trust offers a variety of grants and support, which you can learn more about here.
It’s not just young carers that can receive support, adult learners also have financial support available to them in the forms of grants and bursaries. Learn more about these grants and bursaries here.
Also, students with disabilities or learning differences can apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Learn more about DSA here.
It is worth asking prospective institutions what they can offer, as some do make specific mentions of unpaid carers being an acceptable requirement for further funding support. Always ask – the support is there for you to receive.
Be Sure To Research Institutions
Open Days and Outreach
Attend open days or virtual campus tours. These are crucial for understanding what support is available. For example, the University of Nottingham holds specific information stands for young carers at open days, where staff answer questions about studying and support.
Many universities now run widening participation or outreach events aimed at carers and care-experienced students. At an open day, talk to course tutors about timetable flexibility, and to student support about special arrangements (like deadline extensions). Find an open day here.
Ask for a Carer’s Champion
Many universities have a named contact (sometimes called a Carers’ Champion or Student Carers Adviser) who knows about carer issues. You can often email or call them with questions. If the website does not say, use the general student services contact and ask to be put through to the person who handles caring responsibilities.
Carer Passport
Some universities operate a Carer Passport scheme. This means once you declare your status as a carer, you get a document (or online record) that outlines simple adjustments (such as letting lecturers know in advance of absences). Ask if the uni has this – it prevents you having to explain your caring role over and over. Learn more about Carer’s Passport here.
Contextual Admissions
In your UCAS form, there is a spot under “More about you” to say if you have caring responsibilities. By selecting “yes,” you inform admissions staff discreetly that you have extra commitments. This can sometimes be taken into account in your application (alongside grades, referees, etc) to create a fairer picture of your achievements while caring. It also triggers universities to contact you about support. Don’t be shy – mentioning it may help you get extra help from the start. Learn more about UCAS Application here.
Contact Carers' Services
National charities like Carers UK and Carers Trust can help you find information. They have helplines and online resources. For example, Carers Trust lists useful external courses and funding sources. Your local council or social services might also offer an assessment of your needs, even if you’re an adult – such an assessment could lead to support like respite care, which in turn makes studying easier. Learn more about Carers Trust free online courses for carers here.
Alternative Learning & Self-Study
If you aren’t looking for a degree or diploma, but instead want to learn new skills or progress with a hobby, talent or interest, then there are many opportunities open to you – most for free too. It can also be a great way of having a taster of a potential future degree or diploma that interests you.
Online Short Courses
The Open University has over 1,000 free courses as part of it’s OpenLearn platform. Topics range from science and health to arts and languages. Completing a short course can boost your confidence and give you a sense of achievement without formal exams, as well as giving you a brief insight of a potential interest. Carers Trust specifically suggests free online courses for carers (e.g. health and wellbeing for carers, digital skills), noting that online study “is easier to fit in around caring than a classroom-based course”. Learn about OpenLearn here.
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)
These platforms allow you to study short courses, ranging from hours to weeks, and even to full degrees spanning years. They offer courses and degrees from institutions all over the world, which you can study from the comfort of your home. These could be particularly useful for unpaid carers, as the self-study element and lighter workload suit a more erratic schedule.
We will focus on the shorter and low cost (including free) options available to you. FutureLearn, based in the UK, offers thousands of courses from around the world, covering a wide variety of topics. There are costs associated with this service, but they are optional. You can take part in the short courses for free, but you are limited on your access to the course. For example, if you wanted to study ‘Forensic Psychology: Witness Investigation’, which is an eight-week course, you will have access to the course’s materials for those eight weeks only. You also will not receive a certificate for completing the course. For some, this is fine and learning is what interests them the most, so this could be a viable option. You can look into the payment options available, and more about FutureLearn by clicking here.
Other platforms similar to FutureLearn are Coursera, EdX and Udemy, which offer free and paid courses. You can find other MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) online but make sure you are aware of what you’re committing to. It would be awful to be charged for something you thought was free, or to lose access to your study materials because you reached a time-limit without realising it.
It’s not just third-party platforms such as FutureLearn that offer courses from universities. The institutions themselves also offer MOOCs. So, if you have narrowed down a University as a choice, you could see if they offer any MOOCs, to use those as a taster of the full course and/or a specific universities teaching style. Find some examples of universitie’s MOOCs below:
Videos & Podcasts
The internet is full of people who share their skills across a variety of platforms. Some are free to access, providing you have the internet, others come with subscription costs, but all offer you the chance to learn something new, or develop existing skills. You will not get accreditation from these sources, but for those who just want to learn or develop, they are an invaluable source of information and guidance.
YouTube, a video sharing platform, has countless education channels and resources, that cover pretty much every topic you can think of. A user-created list of educational channels can be found here, and links to hundreds if not thousands of education channels, from cooking to coding, engineering to English, and beyond. It might be worth creating a new YouTube account and only using that for your educational purposes, so the only recommendations you receive will be from other education channels, or the topics that interest you the most.
Podcasts, essentially radio you can control, are another fantastic method of learning something new and doing so in a more passive manner. How many times have you been on a boring bus ride, stuck in a doctor’s waiting room or been at home listening to music while cleaning, cooking, caring or one of those rare moments of relaxation? A lot of people listen to music or even have the telly on in the background for something to listen to. Yet, how many of us actually gather something useful from this? It’s more of a distraction from the task we are currently undertaking, or a way for us to not be bored in the silence – distracting ourselves from ourselves. This is where a podcast could help.
Pick a topic you’re interested in and chances are, there is a podcast for you. You can play them on your phone, smart TV, from a laptop, PC, or tablet – you could even download them and play them back if you’re out somewhere that doesn’t have the best internet signal. Services such as YouTube, Apple, and Spotify (with others) provide these podcasts, and they are free to listen to, but depending on the service there may be subscription costs associated with it – but most do have free ad-supported plans so you really could listen for free, wherever you are and whenever you want. We explain more about these services, including costs, in our guide How Music Effects Mental Health.
Below, we have a list of some interesting and educational podcasts to give you a taster:
- No Such Thing As Fish – If you’re a fan of the TV programme QI then this is the podcast for you. The researchers from QI have formed a podcast where they each choose an interesting fact of the week, keeping their own a secret, which leads to humorous and interesting discussions.
- Stuff You Should Know – The award-winning Stuff You Should Know, hosted by writers from HowStuffWorks, covers a vast array of topics—from science to urban legends—this podcast blends fascinating facts with pop culture references and plenty of humour, making it an entertaining and educational listen every time you hit play. With three new episodes released each week, there’s always fresh content to dive into.
- 70 UK Education Podcasts (FeedSpot) – A user created list, to get you started, covering a wide array of topics and professions.
- Carers Talk – A podcast produced by Carers Trust Solihull, that focuses on practical tips, advice, and guidance from the professionals, to help you be a more informed and better supported unpaid carer.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to earn while you learn and kick-start your career. Whether you’re leaving school or looking to gain hands-on experience in a new field, here’s what to expect.
What Does an Apprentice Do?
As an apprentice, you’ll:
Be a paid employee with holiday entitlement
Work alongside experienced staff
Develop valuable, job-specific skills
Have dedicated time for training and study (at least 20% of your normal working hours)
Apprenticeships usually take between 1 and 5 years to complete, depending on the level and the type of role.
Apprenticeship Levels Explained
Apprenticeships are available at different levels, each equivalent to a certain stage of the education system:
| Level | Equivalent Educational Level |
|---|---|
|
Intermediate |
Level 2 – GCSEs |
|
Advanced |
Level 3 – A Levels |
|
Higher |
Levels 4, 5, 6, and 7 – Foundation Degree and Above |
|
Degree |
Levels 6 and 7 – Bachelors or Master’s Degree |
Some apprenticeships may also lead to additional qualifications, such as diplomas or professional certificates.
Who Can Apply?
To start an apprenticeship in England, you must:
Be 16 or over
Be living in England
Not be in full-time education
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school, but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start.
Already Have Relevant Experience?
If you’ve already gained skills or knowledge through previous work or education, you may be able to complete your apprenticeship more quickly. This could include:
A relevant qualification, such as an NVQ
Experience in the same industry or sector
Previous training, such as an IT course
You can discuss any existing experience with your employer and training provider when your apprenticeship begins, to see if it can reduce your training time.
Apprenticeships are a practical, flexible route into a wide range of careers. If you’re ready to build your future, an apprenticeship could be the ideal next step.
Learn more about apprenticeships; wages, studying time, hours, and more by clicking here
Making a Decision
Once you’ve gathered all the information, it’s time to reflect and make a decision that fits your life as a carer. Here are the main routes we’ve discussed:
University or College
If you choose a traditional academic route, start your UCAS application early — deadlines are usually mid-January for most undergraduate courses. Include a strong personal statement that highlights your motivation and how caring has made you responsible, resilient, and organised. A teacher, careers advisor or trusted adult can help review it.
After applying, stay in touch with the universities. Ask to speak with a Carer Support Officer or Student Services to understand what help is available.
Learn more about applying for university while being an unpaid carer
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a great alternative to full-time study. You’ll work while gaining qualifications — ideal if you want structure and a wage while building skills.
Pros:
Earn while you learn (paid employment).
Gain industry experience and a recognised qualification.
Many offer part-time or flexible hours.
Cons:
Can be demanding to balance with caring responsibilities.
Entry is competitive, especially for higher-level apprenticeships.
Not all employers understand or accommodate caring roles.
Online Learning & Distance Study
Options like the Open University or online courses from UK and global institutions are ideal for carers needing maximum flexibility.
Pros:
Study anywhere, anytime.
Many options are free or low cost.
No need to relocate or attend full-time.
Cons:
Requires strong self-motivation.
Limited face-to-face interaction or social experience.
Some options aren’t accredited (e.g. YouTube, Skillshare).
Learn more about The Open University
Learn more about FutureLearn
After Acceptance or Starting Your Learning Journey
Once you’ve been accepted — to a university, college, apprenticeship, or self-study program — here’s what to do next:
Register yourself or make it known that you are an unpaid carer
Contact the university or college’s student support team or Carers’ Champion to register as a student carer. They can arrange:
Reasonable adjustments (like deadline extensions).
Exam support.
Access to hardship funds or carer bursaries.
- Signing up to the Carer Passport scheme
Even as an apprentice, you can disclose caring responsibilities to your employer or training provider to explore flexibility.
Learn more about how institutions can support students with caring responsibilities via Carers Trust
Ongoing Support - Remember, you are not alone
Most universities have wellbeing services and disability support teams that understand the unique challenges unpaid carers face. Tutors can also grant flexibility, especially if they’re aware early.
One student carer said:
“Once I told my tutor I was a carer, the support changed everything.”
You Deserve To Learn
Your caring role gives you valuable skills — time management, empathy, resilience. Whether you pursue a degree, an apprenticeship, or self-directed learning, you deserve the opportunity to grow and succeed. Use the support available, plan carefully, and choose the path that works best for your future.
