Childcare for students
SOAS does not have a nursery of its own but you'll find information here about where to find childcare and how to apply for help with your childcare costs.
How to find a nursery or childminder place for your child
Find out about childcare facilities and availability of places throughout the UK including all the London Boroughs on GOV.UK.
Funding for Childcare
Government help with childcare costs
You may be able to get help towards approved childcare from the government:
- free childcare for children aged 2
- 15 hours free childcare 3 and 4 years olds
- 30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
- help with childcare costs if your child is under 16 (or under 17 and disabled)
If you are unsure about which option is right for you, you can use the government's Childcare Choices website and Childcare Calculator to compare the support you can get from the different options you may be eligible for.
Funding for undergraduate students
You can get 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less. The maximum you can get in 2024/25 is:
- up to £193.62 a week for 1 child
- up to £331.95 a week for 2 or more children
You may also qualify for Parents Learning Allowance, a grant to help with cost of being a student parent of up to £1,963 in 2024/25.
Both grants are means tested and non-repayable. To find out more visit
- Gov.UK page about the Childcare Grant
- Gov.UK page about Parents Learning Allowance
SOAS Childcare Fund
Any student who has childcare costs can apply to the Childcare Fund. To be eligible to apply you must be enrolled on a full-time or part-time on-campus programme.
The fund is not means-tested, and provides a grant of up to £1000 towards the cost of Ofsted registered childcare.
The Childcare Fund is limited and distributed on a first come first served basis, so early application is advised.
The Childcare Fund is designed to help cover the cost of childcare whilst you study your programme. As funds are limited, we will not fund the cost of tutoring or other extra curricular activities.
To apply please complete the SOAS Hardship Fund application, providing supporting evidence which indicates your childcare costs and birth certificate(s) of your child/children.
You do not need to provide any further supporting documentation unless you wish to apply for further support from the Access to Learning Fund.
Applications can take up to 4 weeks to be processed.
Other sources of funding
You may also qualify for Child Benefit and other government benefits related to the cost of bringing up a small child. Visit GOV.UK for more information.
- Maternity Action is a charity who supports parents from low income backgrounds to get the funding and support they are entitled to.
- Turn 2 Us is charity that helps people access benefits and other funding available to them.
- Gingerbread provides expert advice and practical support for single parents
Please be aware that studying may affect your entitlement to benefits, for any questions please email advice@soas.ac.uk.