Conservation Scholarships 

All scholars are expected to agree to the terms and conditions.

Please note: For these scholarship and bursary awards please apply to the College, not the funding organisation, using our application forms below. Please see deadlines to apply next to each award.

The Arts Society Sussex

Value: TBC by the funder
Deadline: 1 August 2021

The Arts Society Sussex scholarship will be awarded to a student studying an accredited programme (Foundation Degree Arts, Graduate Diploma or MA Conservation Studies, Graduate Diploma Fine Art or the Master of Fine Art).

Students must demonstrate financial need and excellence and should be resident in Britain or come from a region in which The Arts Society has a presence (New Zealand, Malaysia, Malta, Gibraltar, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Canada). 

Application: Individuals who have submitted an application to study on one of the programmes outlined above can apply for the award. Applications are considered by the Grants Committee, and a recommendation is made to The Arts Society Sussex for approval.

Terms: The award is for one academic year. Awardees must produce a report in February and at the end of the academic year.

The BASET Endeavour Award

Value: £10,000 per academic year
Deadline: 1 April 2021

This will be awarded to an Australian national wishing to study on those qualifying programmes listed in West Dean's School of Conservation programme or on a Historic Craft Practices course (within the School of Arts).

The Britain Australia Society Education Trust (BASET) offers financial support to talented and deserving young people with skills and a passion in the applied creative industries. BASET supports these people to study and train on the other side of the world in order to increase those skills and to share knowledge and ideas - ultimately taking those skills home to continue their work while building valuable links between Britain and Australia.

"We are two great nations with strong connections and a bilateral desire to promote, maintain, preserve and conserve historical objects, artefacts and creative trades. BASET provides financial sponsorship where it "makes the difference" to support talented young people, both for the benefit of themselves and society as a whole."

Application: Australian nationals wishing to study on any programme within qualifying School of Conservation Programmes or on a Historic Craft Practices course, are invited to apply for this award. The Grants Committee will consider the applications and details of the applicant will be sent to BASET for its approval before the award is made. BASET's decision is final.

Terms: The award is for one or two academic years depending on course duration, and will be paid directly to West Dean College. The applicant recognises that some additional funding from personal sources may be required and that transport, visa and living costs are the responsibility of the applicant. The successful applicant must provide regular updates to BASET and must produce an end of year report in their final term. They will be invited to be a part of the BASET community during their time in the UK.

Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers Scholarship

Value: £1,000
Deadline: 1 April 2021

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.

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 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

Value: £1,000
Deadline: 1 April 2021

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.

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 of Arts and Conservation. 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.

BADA (British Antique Dealers’ Association) Scholarship 

Value: Up to £6,000 given at the discretion of the BADA Cultural & Education Trust to help supplement other funding. 
Deadline: 1 August 2021

The BADA Scholarship will be awarded to a student studying the Graduate Degree or MA Conservation Studies Ceramics, Metalwork, Clocks or Furniture. Preference will be given to a student who will go into the antiques trade after graduation and who is intending to work in Britain. Students must demonstrate outstanding potential and financial need for whom the remainder of the funding can be met from elsewhere. 

Application: 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 British Antique Dealers Association for approval. 

Terms: The award will be given at the discretion of the BADA Cultural & Education Trust to help supplement other funding and will be for one academic year; paid directly to West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. The scholar will be expected to produce an end of year report in the final term. 

The South Square Trust Scholarship

Value: Up to £12,000 to be divided between two students as follows:

• £7,000 to one student on the GD or MA Conservation Studies Metalwork
• £5,000 to one student on the FdA Metalwork

Deadline: 1 August 2021

The South Square Trust Scholarship will be awarded to two students, one to be on the Foundation Degree Arts (FdA) Metalwork and one to be on either the Graduate Diploma (GD) or MA Conservation Studies Metalwork, who hold UK Nationality or those who have been mainly educated in the UK and who demonstrate a clear financial need and excellence.

Application: Applicants to study Metalwork at West Dean College can apply for this award and must meet the above criteria. Applicants must submit a completed West Dean College Scholarship Bursary Application Form to West Dean alongside their CV, a brief summary of their financial circumstances, and where applicable, examples of their work.

The Grants Committee will consider the applications and a recommendation will be made to the Trustees of the South Square Trust for approval before individuals are informed.

Terms: The scholarship is for the academic year 2021-22 and will be paid directly to West Dean College in three termly instalments towards tuition fees. Scholars must produce a progress report at the end of each term and end of year report. If there are no suitable candidates in a year, the Scholarship will not be paid and cannot be carried forward to the next year.

Conservation Bursaries 

All bursary-funded students are expected to agree to the terms and conditions.

The Edward James Foundation Bursary Fund

Value: Grants are given based on individual need.
Deadline: 1 April and 1 August 2021

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 of Arts and Conservation. 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.

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.

The Horology Bursary

Value: up to £20,000 (likely to be split between two or more students)
Deadline: 1 April 2021

The Horology Bursary will be awarded to a student studying on one of the Clocks programmes, the FdA, Graduate Diploma or MA. Applicants should demonstrate excellent potential, a commitment to their studies and a clear aim for career development.

Application: Individuals studying on a Clocks programme are eligible to apply for this award. The Grants Committee will consider the applications and a recommendation is made on to the funder of The Horology Bursary.

Terms: The award is for one academic year. Awardees must produce an end of year report.

The George Daniels Educational Trust Horology Bursary

Value: up to £20,000 (may be distributed up to two students)
Deadline: 1 April 2021

Application: Individuals studying on the FdA Clocks, Professional Development Diploma, Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies or MA Conservation Studies – Clocks specialism.

Applicants should demonstrate excellent potential, a commitment to their studies and a clear aim for career development. The Grants Committee will consider the applications and details of the nominees will be sent to The George Daniels Educational Trust for their records. 

The bursary can be used to pay for tuition fees and/or living expenses.

The Behrens Foundation

Value: £5,000 (to be distributed to one student)
Deadline: 1 August 2021

Available to students studying on the Graduate Diploma or MA in Conservation Studies or the FdA (all pathways). Applicants should demonstrate a clear financial need. In order to offer maximum impact from the award, students of any age or nationality are eligible to apply. 

Applications: Individuals studying on a relevant conservation or historic craft practice programme are eligible to apply for this award. The Grants Committee will consider the applications and details of the nominees will be sent to the The Behrens Foundation for their records.

Terms: Students are required to complete an end of year report on completion of the academic year in which they receive bursary support.

The Skinners' Company, Lawrence Atwell's Charity Awards for Excellence

Value: £15,000 between up to three students
Deadline: 1 April 2021

The Skinners' Company award bursaries towards the cost of studying at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation for up to three students studying on a MA on any Conservation programme. They will also consider students studying for a Graduate Diploma. Applicants should be aged 28 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.

Application: Individuals who have submitted an application to study on one of the programmes outlined above can apply for the award. 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. Awardees must produce an end of year report.

The Stationers' Foundation Bursary

Value: £6,000
Deadline: 21 May 2021

The Worshipful Company of Stationers provide bursary support for students studying on the Graduate Diploma or MA in Books and Library Materials. Applicants should be resident in the UK and classified as paying UK tuition fees, preferably aged under 25 on 1 September 2021; though applicants aged between 25 and 30 will be considered. Shortlisted applicants must be available for interview at Stationers’ Hall in London on the 23 June 2021 please note that the date may be subject to change and the interview may be virtual. Applicants should demonstrate financial need, a clear sense of career direction and give a sense of how their association with the Stationers’ Company would help them.

The Bursary is awarded on the basis of the Stationers’ Company interviewing candidates selected by West Dean College’s Grants Committee at Stationers’ Hall. The Grants Committee will draw a shortlist of up to three candidates.

Application: Individuals who have accepted a place to study on one the Books programmes can apply for the award. Applications are considered by West Dean College’s Grants Committee, and nominees are asked to attend an interview at Stationers’ Hall in London on the 23 June. For a copy of the application form and guidelines click here.

The application form must be supported by two referees, one academic and one personal from someone of standing who can support the financial statement made in the application. Together with details of financial need and financial documents e.g. bank statements with account numbers blacked out to be emailed to our (West Dean College’s) course administrator by the deadline Friday 21 May 2021.

Terms: The award is for one academic year. Awardees must produce an end of year report.

(Information last updated 8 July 2021)

1. Any recipient of an Edward James Foundation scholarship or bursary award who is deemed to be in breach of the Student Code of Conduct and attendance, or who withdraws from study without a valid reason as accepted by the College, or who fails to meet the report submission deadlines may be liable to reimburse the full value of the scholarship or bursary, and/or have their funding withdrawn.
2. The recipient must accept the scholarship or bursary offer by returning a signed copy of the Scholarship/Bursary Acceptance Form as indicated in the offer letter.
3. The recipient agrees to keep the Edward James Foundation bursary award confidential from fellow students. Failure to do so may lead to its withdrawal. This condition does not apply to the Scholarship awards.
4. The recipient agrees to inform the College immediately should he/she receive any additional tuition fee funding from other sources, including any provisional offers.
5. In the event that the recipient is successful in achieving tuition fee funding from other sources, the Grants Committee reserves the right to adjust the bursary if the total amount achieved exceeds the full tuition fees.
6. The recipient agrees to write a thank you letter and any progress reports for donors, using an existing template and to agreed deadlines, as required. The recipient will be informed by the College in writing of the report requirements and deadlines. Failure to meet a deadline may result in the withdrawal of funding.
7. The recipient agrees to support the College in reasonable promotional and/or marketing purposes or any other events where the recipient can make a positive contribution towards College life during the academic year including, for example, participation in a maximum of three College or external promotional events, providing quotations for marketing and promotional purposes and assistance with recruiting prospective students. Any activities will be discussed and mutually agreed between the recipient and the College at the beginning of the academic year or when the need for student support arises.
8. The recipient agrees to take part in promotional activities supporting the diploma and degree programmes for two years after completion of the course. The College may ask recipients to feature in press stories or to give up to a maximum of two talks or presentations in their home country. The costs for any promotional activities initiated by the College will be covered by the College.
9. The recipient agrees to submit two progress reports to the College annually by December and June on his/her employment status and on any particular successes in his/her field for the duration of two years after completion of the course. These reports will be shared with the funders.
10. The College will deduct awarded scholarships(*) and bursaries from the tuition fees and will specify in the offer letter the amount that will be deducted from the Summer term, Spring term and/or Autumn term fees. Scholarships and Bursaries will ordinarily be deducted from the Summer term tuition fees, with any remaining funds to be subsequently deducted from the Spring term and finally the Autumn term if applicable.
11. By accepting this award the recipient declares that he/she has provided all relevant information to the College. Such information includes details of any criminal conviction or ongoing legal proceedings, or particular matters that may harm the reputation of the College and which would cause the College to reconsider the offer. The recipient also declares that no other application has been refused by another educational institution on such grounds.
12. The College reserves the right to amend the above terms and conditions at any time.

(*) Different conditions apply for the Leche Trust Scholarship and the Skinners’ Atwell Bursary.