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.
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 2018/2019
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.
*subject to availability for 2019/2020
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 its charitable objectives and by other organisations and individuals listed below who have made generous donations or bequests to support students.*
Bursary Funds 2018/2019
The Skinners' Company, Lawrence Atwell's Charity,
The Skinners' Company Atwell Awards for Excellence - FdA Historic
Craft Practices, Postgraduate Diploma or Professional Development
Diploma.
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.
*subject to availability 2019/2020
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
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 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.
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 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
Several bursaries are available to support students interested in undertaking a short course. Please see here for full details.
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