Other Sources of Funding (Undergraduate and Above)

Anglo-Jewish Association offers means-tested grants to assist Jewish students (who are British Citizens) with the costs of further education in the UK as well as grants to assist Israeli students studying at post-graduate level (Masters or PhDs) in the UK.

The Black Heart Foundation aims to provide financial scholarships to underrepresented and under-resourced young people for arts education, empowering the next generation of diverse arts talent. The programme is open to all individuals aged 16-25 with a UK residence who consider themselves under-financed to take up their desired course.

The Carnegie Trust provides grants aimed at UG students residing in Scotland who are required to pay tuition fees themselves due to prior study or their residency status. The majority of the students supported attended university or college in the past but withdrew before completing their studies. The RCS is one of 16 eligible institutions for these grants.

Chizel Educational Trust provide grants to support the education of student’s resident in the UK. Applicants must be no older than 24. The trust is particularly interested in supporting students born in the East Midlands, studying in the East Midlands and/or undertaking an apprenticeship.

The Clan Mackay Society provides funding for educational purposes, awarding bursaries to applicants with the surname ‘Mackay’ or MacAoidh’ and septs thereof recognised by the Clan. The funds are also open through the maternal line for up to two generations.

The Clark (Mile-End) Bursary Fund awards bursaries to students who have already obtained an Honours degree from the University of Glasgow or Strathclyde and are now studying for, or applying to, a subsequent degree / postgraduate course at any University in the UK or abroad.

Dewar Arts Awards fund students under the age of 30 who live or work in Scotland (non-UK students can apply using their Scottish postal address), demonstrate outstanding talent in any art form and are without the financial means to achieve their full potential.

Dundee Educational Trust provide bursary support to applicants from Dundee (or who have been living there for at least five years) for undergraduate or postgraduate study at any college or university in the UK or abroad.

Essex Community Foundation provide a small number of grants to individuals from Essex to nurture and support talented young people and help them achieve their ambition of a career in the arts.

Glasgow Educational & Marshall Trust awards funding to mature students, postgraduate students and students facing travel costs, who are residents of Glasgow and have been living there for at least five years. They are normally reserved for courses where no grant assistance is available from the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) or where such grants do not cover the total costs.

Glasgow Highland Society invites applications from individuals of Highland descent, or associations of such individuals, for financial assistance towards education or training in the Glasgow area (defined as a G postcode).

Helena Kennedy Foundation provides bursaries for students who are in their final year of a UK further education or sixth form college and applying to enter university from September. Students who are already on or have already undertaken a higher education course are not eligible to apply.

Highland Children’s Trust supports students who are under 25 from the Highland Council area of Scotland, studying for a first degree and finding it hard to manage financially at University or College.

John Watson’s Trust provides grants for young students who have a physical or learning disability and who are experiencing financial hardship. Applicants should be a resident of Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian or East Lothian.

The Kathleen Trust is a small charity which concentrates on making grants to outstanding students at the major British music colleges who need additional financial support.

The Leathersellers’ Undergraduate Student Grants Programme aims to support undergraduate students who are care experienced, and/or are students of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools or Colfe’s School, whose circumstances may otherwise prevent them from achieving their goals.

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust provide bursaries for applicants who are, or who’s parent or spouse is, a grocer, pharmacist or commercial traveller. Bursaries are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Mab Gwalia Drama Student Scholarship is offered in partnership with Manic Street Preachers to support three eligible students per year to study at a UK drama school. Applicants should live or have lived a significant portion of their life in Wales.

McGlashan Trust awards grants to students for postgraduate study. Applicants must be under 30 years of age, born in Scotland or planning to study in Scotland, and must be able to demonstrate current financial challenge with little or no access to family support; priority is given to supporting students facing socioeconomic challenge.

Postgraduate Solutions Bursaries give annual awards to deserving postgrad students. Full-time, part-time, online and blended-learning students are all eligible to apply, studying any course at any institution worldwide.

The Ruby & Will George Trust makes grants for the enhancement of education or relief of poverty, depending on the individual’s level of need. Applicants (or family members) must have a link to commerce.

The Sidney Perry Foundation assists students under the age of 35 who are pursuing their first or further degrees at UK institutions. Grants are designed to serve as supplementary financial support for students, helping to cover additional costs related to their education.

The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust supports the work of students of proven academic achievement, and in financial need, who are pursuing postgraduate or further degrees at an educational institution in the UK.

Stirlingshire Educational Trust provide a number of different grants for educational purposes. Applicants must have been a resident of Stirlingshire, either currently or in the past, for a period of at least 5 consecutive years or have been born there.

Talent Aid is run by the Royal Masonic Trust and supports the children, step-children and grandchildren of Freemasons who are exceptionally talented in music, sport or the performing arts. Candidates must intend to pursue their talent as a career and must be able to demonstrate exceptional talent.

The Trades House of Glasgow Education Fund is available to students who are living and studying in the City of Glasgow and the surrounding areas who lack the necessary funds to complete their studies.

Vaughan Williams Foundation award bursaries to talented students who have been accepted on their first taught Masters’ courses in composition at British universities or conservatoires and who anticipate a career as a professional composer.

The Wavendon Foundation supports a wide range of music performance and education genres, concentrating particularly on individuals who are suffering hardship in pursuance of their ambitions, but anyone engaged in other branches of the performing arts, professionally or not, is welcome to apply.

The Wayne Sleep Foundation awards medium to large sized grants for individuals who have obtained a place at a higher education Arts Institution and are specifically to be put toward accommodation and living costs. Annual deadline for applications is usually in May.

Wheatley Foundation provides education bursaries for individuals living in homes owned by one of Wheatley’s social landlords (Wheatley Homes Glasgow, Wheatley Homes East, Wheatley Homes South and Loretto Housing) and people who live in a home factored or rented by Lowther. Bursaries are awarded for any HNC, HND, Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree.

Trust and Foundations can take different approaches to their funding. Some will have very clear and established funding guidelines, with set eligibility criteria on who they will fund, what their funding can be put towards (fees, living costs, travel, equipment etc) and how much can be asked for. Others might provide more limited information, with their funding priorities left open to allow a wider range of applications. Care should be made to read over any guidance carefully – applications can be time-consuming and yet will be automatically rejected if they don’t fit the criteria. If you are unsure, it is often a good idea to make an enquiry on eligibility first.

The application process itself can also vary, with some providing a set application form and others asking for a more general ‘case for support’. Either way, you should make sure you provide a full, well-rounded picture of why you require funding, whilst being careful of any restrictions on word count. Make sure to cover your achievements to date, goals for the future and an honest overview of your financial need.

Careful attention should be given to any deadlines, and leave plenty of time to get your request sent in. Keep an awareness that applications can have long turnround periods, so make sure to start your funding search well in advance of when you require the financial support.

Please be aware that if you are awarded funding, you may not be granted the full amount requested. You may need to make several applications to cover the deficit required. For any successful application, it is good practice to thank your funder – polite and positive communication may encourage future support.