Before applying for a short course bursary to help you with the costs of your study, please read the below information. Please note, that we are unable to offer more than one short course bursary to a student within two years. Those in receipt of the Joyce Mary Harding Textile Bursary may only be awarded one bursary from this fund.
All bursary funded students are expected to agree to the terms and conditions.
To apply for a bursary please download and complete a Short Course Bursary application form where applicable. (Separate application forms are indicated.)
Please email your completed application form to [email protected]. Digital emailed applications are preferred, however if you are unable to send via email please post to Academic Registry, West Dean College, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ. For more information call 01243 818291 or email [email protected].
The Edward James Foundation Bursary, including creative bursaries for arts graduates
If you need assistance to help fund your studies, you can apply for a bursary from The Edward James Foundation Bursary Fund. The Fund is financed by The Edward James Foundation itself as part of its charitable objectives.
This bursary is for any subject except conservation short courses.
Applicants should demonstrate a clear financial need and a clear illustration of why they have selected the specific courses. You can do this by answering the questions on the Short Course Bursary Application Form.
Grants are given based on individual need. In some cases, we may not be able to fund the full amount and the remaining fees will need to be covered by the applicant.
Awards will be determined by the following criteria:
- Educational status for Creative Bursaries: the full-time course the applicant is or was enrolled on. What stage of the education/career are they at the time of the application.
- The relevance to their course of the Short Course they have applied for a bursary.
- Age – preference will be given to those at the early stage of their career.
- Amount of bursary requesting – the cost of the course and accommodation if requesting funds for this. Cost of travel for student.
- The importance of the course to the West Dean portfolio. The number of applicants for the course both generally and from the same educational establishment.
- Potential benefit to others if applicant has attended the course.
- Students may only be awarded one bursary from this fund every two years.
Joyce Mary Harding Textile Bursary Fund
For people with an interest in developing their skills in working with textiles, who would benefit from assistance with funding.
Grants are awarded for £500 and may be shared.
Awards will be determined by the following criteria:
- The relevance to the development of their textile skills and practice.
- Amount of bursary requesting – the cost of the course and accommodation if requesting funds for this.
- The financial status of the applicant – student, un-employed, retired or on a low income.
- The number of applicants for the course.
- Students may only be awarded one bursary from this fund.
You can find out about Joyce, in whose memory the bursary was set up here.
The Fan Making Bursary Fund
For undergraduates and recent graduates who are interested in developing their skills and their portfolio to include fan making.
Awards will be determined by the relevance of individuals existing practice to fan making processes, and an assessment of the student’s interest in the subject and the potential of continued engagement with fan-making.
Preference will be given to those at the early stage of their career. Funding generously provided by The Poor Fund of The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers. Grants are awarded for £150 per student.
The Chilingirian String Ensemble Course Bursary
To help music graduates and students in quartets or ensembles attend the Chilingirian String Ensemble Course.
Funding has generously been provided by donors and trusts, including support from The Finzi Trust. For detailed course information and application deadlines, please visit the Chilingirian Ensemble course page.
Bursaries are awarded based on individual need. Please note: The Chilingirian String Ensemble Course Bursary has its own application form.
Awards will be determined by the following criteria:
- For young music graduates and students who have played together as a quartet/ensemble for a minimum of three months and who are in need of financial support to help them cover a substantial part of both the course fees and accommodation.
- An assessment of each student ensemble’s potential based on previous study, work, references and/or being recommended by Levon Chilingirian or another member of the Chilingirian Quartet.
- An assessment of the student quartet’s potential to make a lasting contribution to the field and show a lasting commitment to play together as a quartet.
- No ensemble, or individual player may be awarded a Bursary for more than two years.
International Classical Guitar Festival Bursary
To help music students and young professionals (18-26) attend the International Classical Guitar Festival and Summer School. Funding has been provided by several donors. For detailed course information and how to book the course, please visit the course page.
Grants are awarded based on individual need.
Application deadline: 31 May 2025
Please note: The International Classical Guitar Festival Bursary has a separate Application Form.
Awards will be determined by the following criteria:
- For music students (first-study classical guitar) and young professional players aged 18-24 years old or in full-time study at a UK university or music college.
- An assessment of each student’s potential based on previous study, work, references. and current level of study (academic year).
- An assessment of the student’s video recorded performance, submitted via DVD, YouTube or Dropbox.
- Students may only be awarded a bursary for one summer school.
Sussex Heritage Trust Bursary Scheme
Open to any candidates aged 18 or over, with no upper age limit. The Trust’s Bursary Committee will consider funding the costs of one course for an individual studying on a short course relating to construction, conservation and architectural heritage.
Grants are awarded for course costs and accommodation costs. Please note: Students should apply directly to the Sussex Heritage Trust.
Drake Trust Bursary
The Drake Trust generously provides a number of bursaries for students attending a Building Conservation Masterclass or on the Professional Development Diploma in Historic Building Conservation and Repair.
Students must be self-financing their Professional Development Diploma in Historic Building Conservation and Repair and Building Conservation Masterclass studies.
Grants are awarded for course costs. Please note: To apply contact [email protected]. Do not approach this funder directly.
The South Square Trust Award - Silversmithing Short Course Bursary
Available to early career makers within 10 years of graduating and or setting up their self-employed practice and those currently studying on a postgraduate course in silversmithing or jewellery who are looking for a silversmithing short course that will help them develop their skills.
Eligibility: Applicants must hold UK Nationality or have been mainly educated in the UK, demonstrate a clear financial need and excellence.
In addition, West Dean students currently studying the Foundation Degree Arts – Metalwork, Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies and MA Conservation Studies - Metalwork are eligible to apply.
In addition, West Dean students currently studying the FdA Clocks are eligible to apply. However, if you are an FdA Clocks student you must have a genuine reason to apply. Before making an application, please discuss with your lead tutor.
Terms: Grants are given based on individual need. In some cases, we may not be able to fund the full amount and the remaining fees and accommodation costs will need to be covered by the applicant.
All students awarded funding must submit a written impact statement/report to West Dean within 30 days of completing the short course for which bursary funding was awarded. Guidelines will be issued to successful applicants. In addition, we ask that successful applicants keep in touch for one year after completing their course and let us know how they are faring in their chosen careers.
Deadline: Applications for The South Square Trust Award - Silversmithing Short Course Bursary are open. Successful applicants must have taken their course by 22 April 2025, so apply now.
Queries: Applicants should not contact the awarding trust directly with queries relating to the above bursary as this is being administered by The Edward James Foundation. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected]
Please note that those in receipt of The South Square Trust Award may only be awarded one bursary from this fund. If you have received The South Square Trust Award previously, you will not be eligible to re-apply.
York Consortium for Craft and Conservation
York Consortium for Craft and Conservation is offering a new Craft Trainee bursary to encourage opportunities for sustained training and development in heritage building crafts and trades. It offers up to £15,000, spread over two or three years, towards training and education for a recent entrant in a field of traditional building craft practice.
There are no restrictions on the fields of craft expertise for applicants provided they are heritage building related. This includes the crafts involved in traditional decorative finishes and treatments as well as construction-related crafts.
We particularly welcome applications from applicants based in, or working in, or from the Yorkshire region, and Scotland, who will be considered favourably in shortlisting.
How to apply
Applications are made jointly by the employer together with an existing apprentice or trainee. Both application forms must be downloaded and completed by apprentice and employer respectively. The application round for 2024 opens from Wednesday 3 January until Sunday 31 March 2024. Interviews are scheduled to be held in May 2024.
Find out more and how to apply.
(Information last updated 18 December 2025)
