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.
There are also many opportunities for International Students looking for funding and support (see below).
"I know that I couldn't have achieved all I have in my time here
without the fantastic support I have received from the funding team
and the organisations that have helped fund my studies. To have
been awarded a scholarship from the Sidney Sanders Charitable Trust
has taken the financial stress away from studying and has allowed
me to make the most of my time at West Dean College."
Dale Sardeson, MA Conservation Studies, specialising in
Clocks
Dale talks further about his experience of receiving student funding in the video above.
Please note: applicants should not apply directly to the funding organisation for any of the scholarship awards listed here.
The British Antique Dealers' Association (BADA) Joan
Eyles Scholarship
The BADA Joan Eyles Scholarship will be awarded to a UK student on
one of the following conservation programmes: Ceramics, Metalwork,
Clocks or Furniture.
Value: one year's tuition fees
Application: Applicants to one of the above
programmes at West Dean College, can apply for the award. As well
as demonstrating outstanding potential, applicants should be
intending to work in Britain, ideally directly or indirectly for
the British antique trade. The Grants Committee will consider the
applications and a recommendation will be made to the BADA council
for approval.
Terms: the scholarship is for one academic year
and will be paid directly to West Dean College. The scholar will be
expected to produce an interim report during their second term and
an end of year report in the final term.
The Sidney Sanders Charitable Trust Scholarship - Clocks
or Metalwork*
The Sidney Sanders Charitable Trust Scholarship will be awarded to
a student applying for a second year of study on the Clocks or
Metalwork Conservation programmes, who is able to demonstrate
outstanding potential and commitment to their studies and future
career.
Value: one year's tuition fees
Application: Clocks or Metalworks students already
in their first year of study are invited to apply for the award.
Applications will be considered by the Grants Committee for
approval by the Sidney Sanders Trust. Shortlisted applicants will
be observed in the workshop by the tutor as part of the assessment
process.
Terms: The scholarship is for one academic year.
Scholars will be expected to meet with a representative of the
Trust during the year and produce an end of year report in the
final term.
The Skinners' Company, Lawrence Atwell's Charity -
Atwell Awards for Excellence*
The Skinners' Company awards are given to up to four students
studying on a Postgraduate Diploma or MA on any programme. They
will also consider students studying for a Graduate Diploma.
Applicants should be 30 or under, from low income households and be
able to demonstrate exceptional potential in their chosen field.
Previous scholars are encouraged to reapply for the duration of
their studies.
Value: varies, in the region of £3,000 -
£5,000
Application: Applicants to any of the programmes
outlined above can apply. Applications are considered by the Grants
Committee, and a recommendation is made to the Skinners' Company
for approval.
Terms: The award is for one academic year, paid
directly to West Dean College in termly instalments towards tuition
fees. Awardees will produce an interim report during their second
term and an end of year report in the final term.
The South Square Trust Scholarship Award*
The South Square Trust Scholarship will be awarded to a graduate or
postgraduate student on the Metalwork Conservation programme who
can demonstrate outstanding potential, and a commitment to their
studies and a career in the conservation of metals. Applicants
should have been mainly educated in the UK.
Value: up to £12,000
Application: Applicants to study Metalwork at West
Dean College can apply for this award. The Grants Committee will
consider the applications and a recommendation will be made to the
Trustees of the South Square Trust for approval.
Terms: The scholarship is for one academic year
and will be paid directly to West Dean College in termly
instalments towards tuition fees. Scholars must produce a report at
the end of each term.
The Hobson Charity Scholarship
The Hobson Charity scholarship will be awarded to a UK student
studying on one of the Conservation programmes.
Value: £5,000
Application: Applicants to study on one of the
Conservation courses at West Dean College can apply for this award.
Applications will be considered by the Grants Committee for
approval by the Hobson Charity.
Terms: The Scholarship is for one academic year
and the scholar will be expected to produce an end of year report
in the final term.
Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers
Scholarship
This will be awarded to a student on the Postgraduate Diploma or MA
in Conservation of Metalwork programme, who is able to demonstrate
excellent potential and a commitment to a future career in their
chosen field. Preference will be given to students who have
demonstrated an interest and ability in conservation of arms and
armour during their Graduate Diploma year.
Value: £1,000
Application: Metalwork students applying for the
Postgraduate Diploma or MA Conservation programmes are invited to
apply for this award. The Grants Committee will consider the
applications and details of the nominee will be sent to The
Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers for their
records.
Terms: The award is for one academic year and the
will be paid directly to West Dean College. The scholar will be
expected to produce an interim report during their second term and
an end of year report in their final term.
The Worshipful Company of Cutlers Langdon Dowsett
Scholarship
The Worshipful Company of Cutlers Langdon Dowsett Scholarship will
be awarded to a student under the age of 30 studying on either the
FdA Historic Craft Practices in Metalwork, the Graduate Diploma in
Conservation of Metalwork or the Postgraduate Diploma in
Conservation of Metalwork.
Value: £500
Application: Metalwork students applying to any of
the above programmes are welcome to apply for this Scholarship. The
Grants Committee will consider the applications and a
recommendation will be made to the Worshipful Company of Cutlers
for approval.
Terms: The award is for one academic year; paid
directly to West Dean College. Scholars are invited to attend the
annual Scholars and Prize-winners Reception hosted by the Company,
usually held in October. The scholar will be expected to produce an
end of year report in the final term.
*This scholarship will be subject to availability in 2019.
The Edward James Foundation Bursary Fund
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. The Fund is
financed by donations both from The Edward James Foundation itself
as part of its charitable objectives and by other organisations and
individuals who have made generous donations or bequests to support
students.
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, including
applications to other grant-making trusts, part-time or holiday
work and/or student loans. Preference will also be shown to
students who have the potential to make a significant contribution
to their chosen field.
Grants are given based on individual need. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they can finance any remaining accommodation and tuition fees not covered by their bursary award. The Grants Committee cannot consider an application without this information.
Bursary for the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
(FDAD)
Bursaries are available for talented students aged 18-30 who are
unable to pay the full fees.
Value: up to £2,000
Applications: Applicants who have accepted a place
to study on the FDAD programme can apply for a bursary.
Applications are considered by the Grants Committee and can be
submitted at any time of year.
Terms: Successful students must produce a report
detailing the courses they have undertaken as a result of the
bursary funding.
Frances Lowe Bursary
Bursaries are available to students studying Arts on the FDAD and
DACC programmes. Applicants should demonstrate talent and a
commitment to their future career development. Applications are
particularly encouraged from younger students (18-30) but all will
be considered.
Applications: Applicants who have accepted a place
to study on the FDAD or DACC programmes can apply for a bursary.
Applications are considered by the Grants Committee and a
recommendation is made to the Funder for approval.
Terms: Successful students must produce a report
detailing the courses they have undertaken (FDAD) or an end of year
report (DACC).
Derek Hill Foundation Bursary
The Derek Hill Foundation Bursary will be given to a student
studying Visual Arts, focussing on painting or drawing or sculpture
or interdisciplinary mix of the two. This is not available to
students practising tapestry or textile art. Students must
demonstrate financial need.
Value: £3,000
Application: Students on the Visual Arts programme
specialising in painting, drawing or sculpture or an
interdisciplinary mix of the two are eligible to apply for this
award. The Grants Committee will consider the applications and
details of the nominee will be sent to The Derek Hill Foundation
for their records.
Terms: This bursary is for one academic year. The
successful student must produce a report in the final term.
The J R Asprey Family Charitable Foundation
Bursary
The J R Asprey Family Charitable Foundation Bursary is available to
a student studying on the Visual Arts programme who demonstrates
financial need.
Value: £1,000
Application: Applicants who have accepted a place
to study on the full-time Visual Arts programmes can apply for this
bursary. The Grants Committee will consider the applications and
details of the nominee will be sent to The J R Asprey Family
Charitable Foundation for their records.
Terms: This bursary is for one academic year. The
successful student must produce a report in the final term.
Unless otherwise specified, the deadline for bursary applications is 1 April 2019.
All bursary-funded students are expected to agree to the terms and conditions.
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, email grantsandeducation@furnituremakers.org.uk
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) Funds
the education of talented craftspeople through traditional college
courses, apprenticeships or one-on-one training with masters. 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 craftspeople 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
The George Daniels' Educational Trust Aims to
encourage and financially assist students with grants and bursaries
for training in all aspects of horology. For further information,
go to www.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
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.
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 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
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.
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.
Several bursaries are available to support students interested in undertaking a short course. Find out more in the Short Courses: Information and How to Book page.
Applications are welcome from UK/EU and International students.
The deadline for applications for 2019 entry is 1 March 2019 (with the exception of Conservation of Books and Library Materials, which is 1 February 2019).
Learn more about applying and entry
Find out about funding opportunities