Funding Your Studies
The information set out below is for your guidance. It applies to the academic year 2012-2013.
Funding will be discussed with you as part of the interview process. We would urge you to apply as soon as you can, giving you maximum time to secure funding for your studies.
If you do not have access to the necessary funds you should research, identify and apply to relevant sources of funding.
These need to be investigated as early as possible so that letters and/or applications for funding can be sent immediately on receipt of the Principal’s letter offering you a place on the programme.
It is important to consider timescales. All potential funders will have their own timetable for making decisions on applications.
Applying for and securing funding is competitive. It is always worth having a Plan B to ensure you can fund your place at West Dean College.
Awards Administered by the Edward James Foundation Scholarship Fund
BADA, Joan Eyles – A scholarship for one year’s tuition fees for UK students on one of the following programmes:
Ceramics, Clocks, Furniture or Metalwork.
Dr Robin Barnard – a bursary towards part of the tuition fees for UK students studying on the Books programmes.
Barrow – A bursary towards part of the tuition fees for UK and overseas students studying on the Books programme.
Edward James Founda tion – Bursaries towards part of the tuition fees for UK and overseas students studying on
any programme.
Ernest Kleinwort CharitableTrust – A scholarship for one year’s tuition fees for students on a conservation
programme.
Monument Trust – A scholarship for one year’s tuition fees for students on any programme.
Newby Trust – a bursary towards part of the tuition fees for UK Postgraduate students studying on one of the
following programmes: Books, Ceramics, Clocks, Furniture and Metalwork
PF Charitable Trust – A scholarship for one year’s tuition fees for UK students on any programme.
Pilgrim Trust – A scholarship for one year’s tuition fees for students on a conservation programme. This scholarship is
awarded to students from non-traditional backgrounds.
Sidney Sanders Charitable Trust – A scholarship for one year’s tuition fees for UK students on the Clocks and
Metalwork programmes.
South Square Trust - A scholarship for one year’s tuition fees for UK students on the Metalwork programme.
Potential Funders
There are a number of funders who prefer to fund students directly. To access these funds you will need
to apply directly to these funders on your own behalf. Below are details of those who share our own passion for Conservation and Creativity.
Anna Plowden Trust – Supports the primary training of UK conservation students by offering grants towards course
fees, see www.annaplowdentrust.org.uk
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) – Makes awards to craftsmen and women of all ages to help them
further their careers, see www.qest.org.uk
The Coa ts Founda tion Trust – Aims to relieve poverty and to assist those who do not have the financial means to
fund their education, see www.coatspensions.co.uk/Forms/FoundationTrust.pdf
The Eaton Fund – Provides funding for artists (not performing) i.e. painters, potters, sculptors and
photographers. Funding given for materials and equipment, see www.eaton-fund.co.uk
The Juliet Gomperts Trust – A small charity which gives financial support to artists who are resident in the UK, see
www.julietgompertstrust.co.uk
The Skinners’ Compa ny, Laurence Atwell’s Charity – Supports students aged between16-25, UK national, refugee
or asylum seeker, low income background. Do not fund
Postgraduate or second degrees, see www.skinnershall.co.uk/charities/lawrence-atwell-charity.htm
Online Grant Databases
The following websites provide information about other potential funding sources.
Creative Choices – Provide the tool ‘Find Funding’ to help individuals research, see www.creative-choices.co.uk
Funding Central – A free website with tools and resources, see www.fundingcentral.org.uk
ICON – The Institute of Conservation provides a list of possible funders for conservation studies, see
www.icon.org.uk
Student Cashpoint – A free website with a search engine to find donors, see www.studentcashpoint.co.uk
Turn 2 Us – A free grant database, see www.turn2us.org.uk
West Sussex 4 Funding – A database of funding opportunities tailored for West Sussex, see www.open4community.info/westsussex
Steps to apply for Funding
1. Identify a Potential Funder List
Build a list of funders who might be most interested in your own area of work.
2. Research Funder Preferences
Find out as much as you can about what interests your potential funder – the more you can make your letter or application specifically relevant to their interests, the more interested they will be.
3. Personal Contacts
People trust people they know. If you already have any personal contact with potential funders,
this will help you.
4. Apply
If the funder asks you to apply using a certain application form, or within a limited number of pages, respect their request absolutely.
When you apply, give the funder a sense of who you are and what you are working towards.
Most importantly, be explicit and clear as to what exactly you need, make it real. Make sure it is easy for potential funders to understand and ensure all figures are clear and concise.
Funding for International Students
If you are looking to find help with funding your studies in the UK it is advisable to send out funding applications as soon as possible. It may be more difficult to make arrangements for financial support once you have left your own country. Start by enquiring with your own Ministry of
Education or Department of Education as they may have details of scholarship opportunities for students wishing to
study overseas.
The British Council can provide you with a basic guide for possible sources of funding for international students who want to study in the UK. Visit www.britishcouncil.org/learning-funding-your-studies.htm
To apply for British Council funding you should apply to the office in your home country as a resident of that country. If there is not an office in your home country then you are not eligible for British Council funding. You should contact the British Embassy or High Commission in your
country for further help. There is no funding available from The British Council in the UK for international students.
Anglo -Danish Society invites applications from students undertaking post-graduate courses of Danish Nationality for
scholarships, see www.anglo-danishsociety.org.uk
Please note there may be an ‘Anglo - ’ society relevant to your
country. If such a society exists for your country it may be worth
contacting them to discuss possible funds they may be aware of.
Chevening Scholarships provide Foreign and Commonwealth
Scholarships and Fellowships. They are prestigious awards
which enable overseas students to study in the UK, see
www.chevening.com
Comonwealth Students can apply for scholarships
and fellowships through Commonwealth Scholarships,
see www.cscuk.org.uk
Rotary Club offer Ambassadorial Scholarships,
see www.rotary.org/en/studentsandyouth/educationalprograms/
ambassadorialscholarships/pages/ridefault.aspx
The Europe–Ko rea Founda tion offer scholarship programmes
for South Korean students, see www.ekf.or.kr/site/programme/
scholarship/programme.htm
The Gen Founda tion will consider funding exceptional candidates
studying on an Arts programme, see
www.genfoundation.org.uk
The US-UK Fulbright Comission offer a range of study abroad
opportunities to US citizens through their awards programme, see
www.fulbright.co.uk/fulbright-awards/for-us-citizens
UK Council for International Student Affai rs provide
guidance for international students looking for loans, welfare
benefits and scholarships, see www.ukcosa.org.uk
The Aga Khan Founda tion provide a limited number of
scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding
students from developing countries that have no other means of
financing their studies, see www.akdn.org/AKF
The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund provides
awards to Canadian students for artistic study in the UK, see
www.canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk
Further Information
British Council Scholarship and Funding information
The Directory of Social Change publish a number of relevant funding guides.
Student Cash Point provides a comprehensive source of information on grants, loans, bursaries, scholarships and
If you have any queries about applying for funding, please contact:
Véronique Harris, West Dean College, West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ, England
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 818274 Email: veronique.harris@westdean.org.uk
