Student Funding

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).

Please note: the deadline for applying for funding is 1 April 2019.

Scholarship and Bursary application forms can be found below. If you have any queries, please contact the Admissions Officer on 01243 818291 or email admissions@westdean.org.uk.

"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.

2019/20 Funding available by Course (Conservation)

2019/20 Funding available by Course (Arts)

Key Information

BADA - Must demonstrate outstanding potential and financial need. Must be intending to work in Britain, preference is given to someone who will work directly or indirectly in the antiques trade after graduation.
The Hobson Charity Scholarship - Preference for UK students under the age of 35.
The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers Scholarship - Demonstrate excellent potential and a commitment to a future career in their chosen field; preference to those who have demonstrated an interest and ability in conservation of arms and armour during the Graduate Diploma year.
The Worshipful Company of Cutlers Langdon Dowsett Scholarship - Preference for students under the age of 30.
Derek Hill Foundation Bursary - For students focusing on painting and drawing or sculpture or an interdisciplinary mix of these two. Not available to students practicing tapestry or textile art. Must demonstrate a need for financial support. **To be distributed between up to three students.
The J R Asprey Family Charitable Foundation Bursary - Students must demonstrate a need for financial support.
Frances Lowe Bursary - 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.
Bursary for the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - Bursaries are available for talented students aged 18-30 who are unable to pay the full fees.
The Skinners' Company, Lawrence Atwell's Charity Awards for Excellence - Applicants should be aged 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. ***To be distributed between up to three students.
The Edward James Foundation Bursary Fund - For anyone who has accepted a place to study at West Dean College. Candidates need to demonstrate a clear financial need. Preferences will be given to students that the Grants Committee believe have the potential to make a long-lasting contribution to their chosen field.
Please note: Successful students must produce a report(s) in keeping with their funder's requirements.

Download Edward James Foundation Bursary Application Form

Download Scholarship and Bursary Application Form

Full Scholarship and Bursary Information

Scholarships and Bursaries Terms and Conditions

Other Sources of Funding

There are a number of further funders who share our passion for conservation and creativity. Students should apply to these funders 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 go to the GOV.UK Student finance webpage.

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. For more information, please go to the GOV.UK Funding for postgraduate study webpage.

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 Education.

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.
The Anglo-Danish Society invites scholarship applications from students of Danish nationality undertaking postgraduate courses.
Council for International Student Affairs provides guidance for international students looking for loans, welfare benefits and scholarships.

See also:

Helpful tips for applying for funding

1. Identify a list of potential funders who might be interested in your area of work. Remember, you can apply to more than one.

2. Research their 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.

3. You should also find out what level of funding they usually give to judge how much you should ask for.

4. When applying, follow any guidelines the funder has.

5. When you apply make it easy for the funder to get a sense of who you are and what you are working towards. It's you they will be investing in, so they'll want to feel they've got to know you.

6. Be clear and concise about what you want, with a clear budget.

7. You can apply for funding at West Dean College by downloading the completed form/s (Key Information section). Once completed, they should be returned to Charlotte Pede, Admissions Officer, by e-mail (admissions@westdean.org.uk).

8. Your application must be typed, the Grants Committee cannot accept handwritten forms.

9. Always spell-check your application.

10. Do check the deadlines for applications - they are given on the individual application forms.

If you have any queries please contact the Admissions Officer on 01243 818291 or email: admissions@westdean.org.uk.

Short Course Student Bursaries

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.

Student Experiences

"Studying a second year at West Dean would not have been possible without the funding I have received, so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank my funders […] the backing you provide makes a real impact. Being able to study conservation full time for two years before working means that knowledge and skills which may be very time intensive to acquire, can be learnt and honed without the worry of also trying to make sure they are being practiced in a profitable way at the same time."
Kate (MA Conservation Studies)

"The funding that has [been] provided has been such an extraordinary gift. To help enable someone to study, and practice something that they love, [is] lighting the way to […] a future career that couldn't be seen before."
Jane (Fine Art)