Scholarships and Bursaries

There are several sources of funding open to students of West Dean College. Various scholarships and bursary pots are administered by the College and a number of other organisations will support students directly.

Application Deadlines:

We are still accepting applications for 2018 entry.

Conservation of Books programme: applications are closed for 2018/2019 and now accepting applications for 2019/2020.

The deadline for applications for all other bursaries and scholarships is 1 April 2018.

Scholarships

We award a number of Scholarships to talented students studying at West Dean College. If you would like to apply for a Scholarship you should be able to demonstrate outstanding potential and a commitment to your studies and a future career in your chosen subject. You should provide evidence of your past achievements and related work experience, along with recommendations from current or past tutors and colleagues.

There are several Scholarship awards available, which are listed below. You can apply for more than one Scholarship.

Other scholarships and bursaries often become available later in the academic year, so do check back regularly to the website for any developments.

Scholarship Schemes

The British Antique Dealers' Association (BADA) Joan Eyles Scholarship - Ceramics, Metalwork and Furniture Conservation Programme.

Dr Robin Barnard Scholarship - For a returning student on the Books programme.

PF Charitable Trust Scholarship - Conservation (Graduate, Postgraduate, Foundation in Historic Craft Practices or MA) or Visual Arts, MFA or Stringed Musical Instruments.

Janet Creasey Scholarship - Stringed Musical Instruments Programme.

The South Square Trust Scholarship Award - Graduate or Postgraduate Metalwork Conservation Programme.

The Sidney Sanders Trust Scholarship - For a returning student on the Clocks or Metalwork Programme.

The Sussex Scholarship - Conservation programmes (Graduate, Postgraduate) and currently living in Sussex.

Download the scholarship and bursary application form

Bursaries

If you need assistance to fund your studies, you can apply for a bursary from the Edward James Foundation Bursary Fund once you have accepted a place to study at West Dean College. Applicants should demonstrate a clear financial need and preference will be given to students who show that they are pursuing all possible avenues for raising the funds they will need. Preference will also be shown to students who have the potential to make a long-lasting contribution to their chosen field.

The Fund is financed by donations both from the Edward James Foundation itself as part of charitable objectives and by other organisations and individuals who have made generous donations or leave bequests to support students.

Bursary Funds

The Edward James Foundation Bursary Fund - Download the application form

The Leche Trust Bursary Fund *subject to availability, Studying on a conservation programme or on the Musical Instrument Making programme. Deadline 1 March 2018 - Download the application form

The Skinners' Company, Lawrence Atwell's Charity, The Skinners' Company Atwell Awards for Excellence - FdA Historic Craft Practices, Postgraduate Diploma or Professional Development Diploma. - Download an application form

Horology Bursary - Returning student on the Clocks programme.

The Derek Hill Bursary - Studying Visual Arts, focusing on painting and drawing or sculpture or interdisciplinary mix of these two. Not available to students practicing tapestry or textile art.

The Book Trade Charity/Matthew Hodder Bursary - Studying on the books conservation programme.

Download the scholarship and bursary application form

Other Sources of Funding

There are a number of funders who share our passion for conservation and creativity and fund students directly.

The Anna Plowden Trust offers bursaries towards the fees for attending a full-time UK training course in the conservation of the movable heritage, such as paintings, textiles, archaeological objects. It also offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Grants to enable practising conservators to take advantage of CPD opportunities by contributing towards the cost of short courses and attending conferences. The Trust does not offer bursaries or grants for courses on the conservation of the built heritage. See www.annaplowdentrust.org.uk

The Furniture Makers's Company Provide bursaries to MA students on a furniture related course. For more information, grantsandeducation@furnituremakers.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 Stationers' Company Offers a number of scholarships and awards to those whose courses relate to the Communications and Content industries. Visit www.stationers.org

York Foundation for Conservation and Craftsmanship Bursaries are available to craftsmen and conservators who would like assistance to further their skills and knowledge as well as to organisations who would like to take on trainees. Visit www.conservationyork.org.uk/bursaries-grants.aspx#Bursaries

Print Futures supports UK residents aged 18-30 years who intend to study for a career in printing, publishing, packaging or graphic arts. www.theprintingcharity.org.uk

The Eaton Fund provides funding for artists (not performing) e.g. painters, potters, sculptors and photographers. Funding given for materials and equipment, see www.eaton-fund.co.uk

The George Daniels' Educational Trust aims to encourage higher education study in various disciplines including Horology. An advisory committee will administer and identify suitable horological students. For further information, email secretary@gdetac.org

Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Services (ELCAS) is the MOD's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC), an initiative to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The ELC scheme provides financial support in the form of a single up-front payment in each of a maximum of three separate financial years. West Dean College is an approved supplier (ELC no. 3280). Up to £2,000 per ELC claim available, see www.enhancedlearningcredits.com

Postgrad Solutions now offer bursaries across a number of subject areas for students commencing postgraduate studies. Find out more.

Terence Pamplin award is made every other year to encourage excellence in research in organology (the science and history of the development and construction of all acoustic musical instruments and their use) and musicology as it links to acoustic music instrument technology. It consists of a cheque and certificate confirming the award. The next Award will be made in 2017.
Find out more about the Terence Pamplin award

Online Grant Databases

The following websites may be useful for other potential funding sources.

Student Cashpoint has information and advice about budgeting and applying for funding, see www.studentcashpoint.co.uk

Turn 2 Us provides information and advice about grants and benefits, see www.turn2us.org.uk

West Sussex 4 Funding is a website with information about funding opportunities tailored for West Sussex, see www.open4community.info/westsussex

Student Loans Company

Prospective UK resident students applying for the Foundation Degree course or a Graduate Diploma course may be eligible to apply for a Tuition Fee and/or Maintenance Loan from the Student Loans Company as long as they haven't previously received a Student Loan. For more information, please look at the website: www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview

Please note that the availability of all student funding is subject to annual approval in line with the conditions for course designation set by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Postgraduate Loans

If you are a UK student and plan to take a postgraduate Master's course you may be able to get a postgraduate loan of up to £10,000 to help with course fees and living costs.

See www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

How to apply for funding

1. Identify a list of potential funders which fund individuals and might be interested in your area of work.

2. Research the potential funder preferences and find out as much as you can about what interests them. The more you can make your letter, or application, specifically relevant to them, the more interested they will be. If you have any personal contacts with the funder, this could be helpful. You should also find out what level of funding they usually give to judge how much you should ask for.

3. When applying follow any guidelines the funder has. Many will have a form, but if not, aim to keep your application to two pages. When you apply make it easy for the funder to get a sense of who you are and what you are working towards. Most importantly be explicit and concise about what you want, with a clear budget.

Funding for International Students

If you are looking to find help with funding your studies in the UK it is a good idea 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 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.educationuk.org/global

Anglo-Danish Society invites scholarship applications from students of Danish nationality undertaking postgraduate courses, see www.anglo-danishsociety.org.uk

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.org

Commonwealth Students can apply for scholarships and fellowships through Commonwealth Scholarships, see www.cscuk.dfid.gov.uk

The Gen Foundation may consider funding exceptional candidates studying on an Arts programme, see www.genfoundation.org.uk

The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers a range of study abroad opportunities to US citizens through their awards programme, see www.fulbright.org.uk/fulbright-awards

Council for International Student Affairs provides guidance for international students looking for loans, welfare benefits and scholarships, see www.ukcisa.org.uk

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund provides awards to Canadian students for academic and artistic study in the UK, see www.canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk

Short Course Student Bursaries

Several bursaries are available to support students interested in undertaking a short course. Please see here for full details.