SOCIAL MARKET FOUNDATION Figure 4: Number and proportion of care experienced UK undergraduate entrants 6,000 1.2% 1.4% 1.1% 1.1% 5,050 1.2% 5,000 4,390 0.9% 1.0% 1.0%3,960 1.0% 4,000 3,500 3,510 0.9% 0.9%3,050 0.8% 3,000 2,720 2,790 0.6% 2,000 0.4% 1,000 0.2% 0 0.0% 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 Number % of students Note: Participants that did not provide a response are excluded from the analysis Source: Office for Students, Population data dashboard Similarly, provisional data released by the Student Loan Company shows that the number of estranged students applying for ‘independent student’ status in the university sector in England has risen by 17% since 2017/18, although figures for the 2022/23 academic year are down from 2020/21 and 2021/22 (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of estranged English applicants to student finance 9,220 9,795 8,408 8,603 7,384 7,713 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 (provisional) Note: Data represents students who are under the age of 25 and have been approved for means-tested funding. Students may appear in multiple years due to multi-year courses. Source: Student Loans Company, Estranged students & care leavers by HEP: AYs 2017/18 - 2022/23 Once they make it into higher education however, care experienced student progression generally stalls, as Figure 6 shows. 15% drop out within the first year, compared to 10% of non care experienced students. 1 in 5 have not completed their 18