Postgraduate funding

Postgraduate study at Falmouth

A Master's degree or Postgraduate Diploma represents a significant investment in your future, and you will rightly be concerned about funding. This guide is intended to introduce you to ways of funding your postgraduate course at Falmouth.

A year of full time postgraduate study is likely to cost a UK student around £8,000 plus tuition fees. Postgraduate courses are not supported by the Student Loans Company and there is no mandatory funding, so you will need to put together your own funding package. This is likely to consist of a loan or scholarship, savings, part time work, and awards from charities, foundations and trusts. Use this guide to investigate potential funding sources.

The Prospects Postgraduate Funding Guide will also help you get started: www.prospects.ac.uk/funding.

Apply early to Falmouth if you can, and if successful at interview, accept your place as soon as possible in the year before you wish to begin studying a postgraduate course. This will give you more time to arrange your finances and to apply for major sources of funding whose competitions have an early deadline, such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

UCF postgraduate scholarships 2012/13

We are pleased to announce our MBA and MA scholarships for students joining us for the academic year 2012/13.

The scholarships

All awards will take the form of a monetary payment:

• Awards for successful MBA students: £2,500 (paid in two installments)
• Awards for successful MA students: £1,500

Eligibility

European Social Fund eligibility The awards are being funded through the European Social Fund (ESF). To be eligible you must have the legal right of residence in Britain (EU/British nationals) and be living in Cornwall (or, for part-time students, be either living or working in Cornwall). Evidence of your address may be requested.

Course eligibility The awards are being focused on the digital/high technology courses listed below. Applications from the courses in bold are especially welcome:

• MBA Creative Leadership
• MA Creative Advertising
• MA International Journalism
• MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism
• MA Professional Writing (FT and PT)
• MA Television Production

Award allocation

All applicants who meet the ESF eligibility criteria will be considered for an award. Whilst consideration will be given to an applicant's personal statement, the panel is also keen to support those who are mature students returning to education, those participating in one of the courses highlighted above, those with ambitions to work in an industry which will directly benefit Cornwall, and those from underrepresented ethnic groups.

How to apply

MBA and full time MA applicants All applicants who apply for their course before mid-May will be posted a scholarship application pack. This needs to be completed, signed and returned to the address on the form no later than 12noon, Friday 20 July 2012. Only those with a confirmed place on 20 July 2012 will then be considered. Winners will be be announced by Friday 10 August 2012.

Part time Professional Writing applicants All applicants who apply for their course before mid-November will be emailed a scholarship application pack. This needs to be completed, signed and returned to the address on the form no later than 12noon, Friday 7 December 2012. Only those with a confirmed place on 7 December 2012 will then be considered. Winners will be announced by Friday 11 January 2013.

MA fee discounts for UCF & Dartington graduates

2012 UCF graduates (UK/EU only): Are you graduating from a University College Falmouth undergraduate course in 2012? Would you like to stay on at Falmouth for further study to help you in your career? As a 2012 UCF graduate you will be eligible for a 15% discount on your MA course fees, if you commence the course in 2012.  For more details on this, please check with our Finance Department.

Other recent UCF graduates (UK/EU only): If you graduated from University College Falmouth (or Dartington College of Arts) in the previous four academic years (2008-11), then you are eligible for a progression discount of £300 on your MA course fees, if you commence the course in 2012.

Advice on applying for scholarships and bursaries

Alternative sources of funding include charities, foundations and trusts. There are numerous scholarships and bursaries on offer,and we suggest using the resources listed at the end of this guide and investigate sources of funding to see if any are appropriate to you. The following suggestions may help you succeed in securing financial help from a charity, foundation or trust:

• Check the criteria. Make sure you meet the criteria of the charitable trust or funding body to which you are applying. Most trusts have specific rules about what they will and won't fund and you need to be sure that you are eligible before spending time on an application. You will usually receive guidance notes with the application form.
• Check the format. Check that you are using the correct application format. Some trusts have a specific application form while some require a letter. Treat each application separately and make sure that you tailor your application each time; don't just use one statement to send to different sources of funding.
• Stand out. Make sure that you explain your particular circumstances, if you are likely to be competing with other students who are short of money. For example, you may have family responsibilities which make it harder to provide your own funding.
• Budget. If the application form asks you to provide a budget, e.g. for a study trip, include a comprehensive set of costs to show that you have properly considered and planned the proposed trip.
• Be realistic. Charitable trusts and funding bodies are likely to assist you with bursaries of hundreds, rather than thousands of pounds, so consider the amount you ask for.
• Be patient. Many charitable trusts only meet a few times a year, so plan to apply well before you need the money.
• Say thanks. If you do receive any funding, remember to write to say thanks (either directly or via Falmouth's Bursary Adviser), and give a brief record of how you spent the money and how it helped with your study.

Funding - an overview

The major sources of funding for your postgraduate course are Professional & Career Development Loans and hopefully funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Once you have enrolled you may wish to take part in the Creative Enterprise Cornwall work placement project (UK & EU students), which is worth up to about £1,000. Students from outside the EU can be considered for a placements bursary.

University College Falmouth also usually offers a limited number of Fee Bursaries for MA students. Criteria and the number of awards available will vary from year to year.

Funding sources

Professional & Career Development Loans (PCDL)

Introductory notes

Generally aimed at postgraduate students, Professional & Career Development Loans (PCDL) are a scheme designed to help people who want to improve their career prospects, but lack the funds to invest in a suitable vocational programme. The difference between a normal bank loan and a PCDL is that the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) pays the interest on the loan while you're studying - and for one month afterwards.

For further details, please call the free phone information number: 0800 585 505 or visit: www.direct.gov.uk/cdl

Key points

• A PCDL is a bank loan designed to help you pay for work-related learning. However, you have to start paying your loan back approximately one month after your course.
• You can take out a PCDL whether you are employed, self-employed or unemployed.
• PCDLs are available through an arrangement between the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and two high street banks.
• Remember that PCDL is still a personal loan between you and the bank, and you are responsible for repaying it to the bank. Before taking out a loan, check how much your monthly repayments will be, and that you feel confident that you will be able to make them.
• Your application for a PCDL will require a credit check.

There are three areas that a PCDL can cover:

1. Course fees (up to 80% of course fees)
2. Other course costs
3. Living expenses

Your loan can cover one or more of these elements, but cannot exceed £10,000 in total. PCDLs will only support the vocational or learning elements of a course.

Professional and Career Development Loans are available through selected high street banks, which will eventually handle and pay you your loan:

• Barclays
• The Co-operative Bank

Note: The Royal Bank of Scotland has now withdrawn from the scheme

How to apply

To apply for a PCDL or for further advice on the scheme, please call: 0845 600 7979 or email providers@pcdlsupport.co.uk  

UCF Cornwall Commuter Award

Courses Specific? No. All course, all levels.

Other Criteria? For students commuting from outside the immediate Falmouth area, from elsewhere in Cornwall, using public transport.

Overview

The purpose of the fund is to reward those students who choose to commute to the University College by public transport from outside of the immediate Falmouth area (but within Cornwall).

Eligibility

You may apply if you are commuting to either Woodlane or Tremough by public transport, using either a termly or a 3-month pass. Students living in the immediate Falmouth area (Zone A) will not need to access the fund as the cheapest means of travel is the 60p student rate on the buses. However students living outside of this area (Zones B and C) will be able to apply.

The scheme is open to all students on all courses, who have a term-time address outside Zone A. Students should refer to
our Green Travel Guide for full details on the travel zones: www.falmouth.ac.uk/greentravel

Awards

Students will receive an award worth 15% of the cost of their travel pass, payable by cheque.

How to apply

Students need to speak to the Bursary Adviser, presenting both their student ID card and their termly/3-month travel pass. Students will therefore be able to make three claims per academic year.

For more information contact:

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk
Intranet: intranet.falmouth.ac.uk (access available from inside the UCF network only)

Postgraduate Placements Cornwall

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? Only for students doing a placement, in Cornwall, as part of their MA

Overview

Known key points of the scheme include:

• The student must be enrolled as an MA student;
• Be a UK or EU citizen;
• Have a term time address in Cornwall;
• Be prepared to undertake a 6 week placement during, or very soon after completing, their studies;

The work placement must meet the following criteria:

• It must take place in Cornwall or directly benefit a Cornish company
• It must meet your course objectives (The Course leader must agree to the placement)
• It must be within an organisation which can justify a long term capacity for the role

The fund will pay £150 per week, with a minimum additional payment of £50 per week coming from the employer.  Therefore, the total payment available amounts to £1,200 per student.

This fund is managed by the Placement Coordinator at our Tremough Campus and by September she'll be able to confirm full details.  As such, during the autumn term all students will be addressed through a placements seminar where full details will be explained.  

For more information contact:

Zoe Mogridge, Placement Coordinator
Tremough Campus
Tel: 01326 254200
Email: zoe.mogridge@falmouth.ac.uk

Derek and Jeannie Tangye (Minack) Literary Bursary

Courses Specific? MA Professional Writing

Other Criteria? No

Background

Derek and Jeannie Tangye gave up highly successful London careers in order to find fulfilment running a flower farm at a remote location on the cliffs of the far west of Cornwall. Despite considerable hardship and the scepticism of many of their friends, they succeeded both in living their rural dream and in carving complementary writing careers based on their experiences. Derek's over 20 autobiographical books - The Minack Chronicles - were all international best-sellers and have become modern classics of the genre. Jeannie, too, wrote four best-selling books based upon her time as the Public Relations Officer at the Savoy Hotel during and after World War II. She painted the Cornish coast and provided all the pen and ink sketches that illustrate The Minack Chronicles. Their ideals were an abiding love of nature and the countryside; a natural way of life founded on hard work, love, trust, individuality and singularity of purpose; recognition of the value of solitude, instinct and intuition.

Purpose

The bursary must assist with the applicants continuing development as a writer, whilst also being used in a manner which is relevant to Cornwall and/or the environment.

Eligibility

Students must be enrolled on our MA Professional Writing course. All eligible students will be written to and invited to enter.

Criteria

Applicants must state on the application form:

• The specific purpose for which the bursary is required
• How this project would further the applicant's writing development or career 
• Exactly how the £350 would be spent
• Why this sum would make a difference to the applicant
• Full name, address, contact details and date of birth

Examples of acceptable uses for the bursary could be: to travel to a location about which the applicant wishes to write; to attend an additional course, lecture or event; to travel to meet an author. The eventual recipient will be required to write a summary of how the bursary was used, which we will then forward to the Minack Trustees.

Maximum award: £ 350
Number of bursaries: 1
Closing date: Early July
Results date: End of July

Judging panel: Course Leader of MA Professional Writing, Bursary Adviser

Applications to:

Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

Ferdynand Zweig Memorial Scholarship

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? To be used to support travel/study abroad

Overview

This scholarship enables current degree or postgraduate students to explore the past and current artistic/cultural achievements of other nations. The Scholarship can be used to support travel and/or study with a practical and/or theoretical purpose. Staff of University College Falmouth will occasionally be considered for an award, to pursue a research interest related to the purpose of the Zweig Scholarship.

Please note: these scholarships are not intended to fund a specific course requirement such as placements, study trips or a dissertation.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled students at University College Falmouth, for whom an award is made annually. Or staff of University College Falmouth, from whom applications will occasionally be accepted.

Criteria

Submission of a detailed proposal outlining objectives, travelling itinerary, anticipated costs and predicted outcomes. (It is expected that the outcomes would be presented in a variety of written or visual forms). Student applications must be supported, and confirmed in writing, by their course leader. Staff applications must be supported, and confirmed in writing by their Director of Subject Area. It is a condition of the scholarship that successful candidates are required to donate some
record or memento of their journey to the Zweig Archive in the University College Library.

Maximum award: The total amount for student and staff scholarships combined will not normally exceed £5,000 in any one year. The maximum amount that will normally be awarded for the staff scholarship is £1,250.

Number of bursaries: One award of around £5,000, which the judging panel may decide to award wholly to one applicant, or split among several applicants.

Closing date: All staff and students will be emailed about the award in February, with the closing date likely to be in mid March each year.

Result date: The winners will be notified towards the end of May, and announced at the Awards ceremonies at the end of June.

Judging panel: A Zweig family representative, the Deputy Rector (or nominee) and the Directors of School (or nominees). 

For more information contact:

Woodlane Campus
Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

Tremough Campus
Wendy Bowman, Deputy Rector's Office

Newsmakers PR Documentary Award

Courses Specific? MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism

Other Criteria? Only documentary films will be considered

Overview

Amanda Sandland-Taylor created and launched Newsmakers more than 12 years ago, in which time it has gone from strength to strength, picking up awards and producing fantastic results for an ever-growing portfolio of clients from across the UK. Newsmakers is a team of highly experienced media professionals, offering award-winning and creative communications through every media channel - TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and online. Partially due to their alumni link to UCF, they are now offering an annual award to MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism students.

Award

A £150 prize will be awarded for the most outstanding piece of documentary work produced each year. The winner will be selected by the course team - no application is necessary.

Maximum award: £150
Number of awards: 1

Judging panel: course academics

The award winner will be contacted in advance of graduation. Presentation of the award will be made at the Postgraduate Awards Ceremony. 

John Brabourne Awards

Courses Specific? No, but applicants must be looking to pursue a career in television or film

Other Criteria? Varies - see individual awards

Overview

The John Brabourne Awards is a major new initiative of the UK film and television industry, created by the industry's own trade charity, the CTBF. This new scheme has been designed to help passionate students gain access to their desired profession.

John Brabourne was one of Britain's most prolific producers with an illustrious career spanning four decades and 27 films. He also produced many television greats and was Director for Thames Television for six years. Throughout his career John Brabourne consistently championed the need to support young people who want to enter into the film and television industry.

The CTBF is proud to continue the charitable work of John Brabourne and help young talented students to open the door to a career in film and television. The John Brabourne Awards are a stepping stone for young people driven to further their experiences and careers in all aspects of film and television. In particular the awards seek to help those disadvantaged in some way, either through lack of funds or set-backs due to illness or accident.

Eligibility

The awards are open to everyone who is actively pursuing a career in the UK film and television industry. So if this is you, it is a scheme that looks to reward you as a young person who has demonstrated determination and motivation in targeting your chosen career. The scheme also looks to help those whose careers have suffered set-backs due to unforeseen circumstances.

Criteria

Applications will be judged on both need and merit and you will need to support this by two references from either educational or professional establishments. You must also give a clear plan for the use of the award, including examples of your work and explain how winning will help you to further your career.

Value of awards

Sponsored awards provided by renowned companies like Channel 4, Kodak, Endemol and ITV to name but a few, can help launch your career through cash sums and/or training, work experience, equipment or materials valued from £1,000 to £5,000. Cash sums also funded by the CTBF can assist with travel, rent, bills or childcare if needed.

Closing date: Varies, dependent upon award. Check the website below for specific details (many have a closing date of 31 July - before the start of your course).

Judging panel: A committee of industry figures and business professionals, chaired by Lord Attenborough. 

How to apply

Visit: www.ctbf.co.uk/johnbrabourneawards to download the PDF application form.

Post your application to:

Eunice Bornasty, Head of Welfare and Secretary of the Brabourne Committee
The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund
22 Golden Square, London W1F 9AD
Tel: 020 7437 6567
Email: e.bornasty@ctbf.co.uk

Sandra Blow Scholarship

Courses Specific? MA Fine Art: Contemporary Practice

Other Criteria? Final year students only

Overview

The Sandra Blow Scholarship is an award for MA Fine Art: Contemporary Practice students. The scholarship has been bestowed on the University College from the legacy of Sandra Blow, the English painter, who lived in St Ives from 1994 until her death in 2006. The scholarship will be available each academic year from 2008 to 2012.

Purpose

The end of an MA course is a crucial juncture in the career of a new artist, and the award may be of huge assistance to graduates in their first few months of their career, for example by paying for studio space.

Value of the award

£5,000 per year, to be shared between a maximum of three students.

Timing

The scholarship will be awarded at the end of the course. The winners will be announced after degree results have been confirmed.

Criteria

The scholarship will be awarded to the student or students who, in the opinion of the judging panel, have made the most progress during the MA course, and have made a significant accomplishment on the course. Students' final exhibitions will be considered by the judges in order to decide upon the winners.

Judging panel

The judging panel will consist of: the Head of the Department of Art, the course leader of MA Fine Art: Contemporary Practice, and an external examiner.

Follow up

Winners of The Sandra Blow Scholarship are required to write a letter of thanks to the trustees outlining how they intend to use the money and how it will help their career. Winners may also be asked to participate in a UCF publicity event.

Scott Trust Charitable Fund

Courses Specific? MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism, MA International Journalism

Other Criteria? No

Overview

The Scott Trust Charitable Fund was established in March 2005 by the Scott Trust Foundation. Its purpose is to foster, promote and support one of the key objectives of the Scott Trust, namely "promoting the causes of freedom of the press and liberal journalism both in Britain and elsewhere". The primary aim of these awards is to assist students who face financial difficulty in attaining the qualifications needed to pursue a career in media. As a media organisation the Scott Trust are keen to reflect the society we serve and we recognise that certain groups are under-represented within media. So, they particularly encourage graduates from diverse social and/or ethnic backgrounds to apply.

Past beneficiaries of the awards have gone on to successful careers at a variety of media organisations. Although the bursaries do not offer employment within Guardian Media Group, several awardees have been offered jobs with GMG titles and businesses following their training.

Criteria

Applicants are shortlisted based on the following broad criteria. Ideally you will be:

• A graduate and permanent resident in the United Kingdom
• Someone with at least some work experience in journalism, or similar experience (paid or unpaid)
• Be in need of financial support to progress in your career
• With a portfolio of your work, or evidence of your journalism/writing, which demonstrates your commitment to a career in the media sector.

Award

Two bursaries are offered each year with students from a number of institutions applying for them. If successful, a bursary will pay for tuition fees and provide a subsistence allowance of £5,000.

How to apply

An application form and full details will be available from 1 February on the Scott Trust website:
http://www.gmgplc.co.uk/ScottTrust/

Interviews will be held the following April.

For students looking to commence their studies in October 2012, applications will be welcomed from 1 February 2012.

Please note: you must have a firm offer of a place at UCF to apply for this bursary.

For more information contact:

The Scott Trust
Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Email: scott.trust@guardian.co.uk

Twofour Bursaries for MA TV Production

Courses Specific? MA in Television Production

Other Criteria? No

Overview

Twofour is one of the UK's biggest and most prestigious independent production companies. It supplies programming to all the UK terrestrial channels - BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five - as well as Sky, Living, Discovery and a variety of other digital and international channels. It has a reputation for long-running factual entertainment and lifestyle programming. Its post production department is fully equipped to deal with all aspects of post production including offline, SD and HD uncompressed online, voice over recording, audio dubbing, motion graphic design, central storage system, encoding/transcoding and DVD authoring of television programmes.

Twofour is offering two bursaries to current students of the MA in Television Production. One bursary will be offered to a student who intends to specialise in research, and the other to an editing specialist. In addition, successful applicants will be offered substantial work experience placements at Twofour: two weeks at Easter and two weeks during the summer. Dates will be in arrangement with Twofour, to suit their production schedules.

An Open Day will be held at Twofour in September or October, following which students will be able to make applications for a bursary. 

Eligibility

Current students enrolled on the MA in Television Production.

Maximum award: £1000 per bursary. The bursary will be paid to the successful candidates in two stages: £500 in the spring term and £500 in the summer term.

Number of bursaries: 2

Closing date: 20 November each year.

Result date: Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in early December. Successful applicants will be informed in early January.

Judging panel: Personnel from Twofour Broadcast or Twofour Digital. 

How to apply

A CV and a letter of application (maximum 500 words), indicating which bursary (research or editing) you are aiming for, and explaining why you think you should be selected. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

Applications to:
Vicky Lea
Twofour Studios
2 Bush Park, Estover, Plymouth PL7 6RG
Email: vicky.lea@twofour.co.uk

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham - Travel to Italy Award

Courses Specific? MA Fine Art: Contemporary Practice

Other Criteria? Applicants must be graduating students (BA or MA)

Background

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. (Born: St. Andrews 1912 - Died: St Andrews 2004) After attending Edinburgh College of Art Wilhelmina Barns-Graham went to St. Ives in 1940, quickly becoming part of the group which included Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. She was a founder member of the Penwith Society. She travelled regularly in Europe over the next 20 years and with the exception of a short teaching term at Leeds School of Art and three years in London she divided her time between her home in St Ives and the house by St Andrews that she had inherited in 1960. In 1992, she received an Honorary Doctorate from the St Andrews University; she also received Honorary Doctorates from Plymouth (2000), Exeter (2001) and Heriot Watt (Edinburgh. 2003) universities. In 1999 she was elected an honorary member of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) and the Royal Scottish Watercolourists (RSW). She was awarded CBE in 2001, the same year that saw the publication of the first major monograph of her life and work „W.Barns-Graham: a studio life‟ (Lynne Green; Lund Humphries). As part of the St Ives Group she was in all the major survey exhibitions including the significant 1985 St Ives 1939 - 64, at the Tate Gallery, Millbank, London. Her paintings are in public collections throughout the UK including Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Arts Council of Great Britain, British Museum, the Tate Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Leeds and
Manchester City Art Galleries. (Copy from Art First)

Overview

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Charitable Trust has granted University College Falmouth a Travel to Italy Award of £1,500 for graduating Fine Art students.

Criteria

• You must be a Fine Art student, in your final year of study at University College Falmouth
• The competition is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, on either the full-time or part-time routes
• The award can only be used to fund an extracurricular, but subject-related, trip to Italy, to be taken within 6 months of the award being made.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide a statement, of up to two sheets of A4, reviewing the trip and its outcomes, and explaining how the money was spent.

How to apply

All eligible students will be emailed directly in March/April when the competition opens. If you need a paper copy of the application form, please contact the Bursary Adviser.

The application form includes a personal statement detailing the plans for your trip, what it will involve and how it will benefit your development as an artist.

Applications to:
Will Wears, Bursary Adviser
Admissions Office, Woodlane Campus
Tel: 01326 213744
Email: bursaries@falmouth.ac.uk

Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Services (ELCAS)

Courses Specific? No

Other Criteria? For former members of HM Armed Forces who are registered with the ELCAS scheme. University College Falmouth is a registered HEI with ELCAS.

Overview

The MoD's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) is 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.

You are reminded that ELC funding is only available for pursuit of higher level learning i.e. for courses that result in a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) or, if pursued overseas, an approved international equivalent qualification. As such you must ensure that you are able to demonstrate the level of the course to your Education Staff when asking them to authorise your claim.

There are several stages to the ELC process. Full information is set out in full on the ELCAS website: www.enhancedlearningcredits.com

Essentially:

• First you must register to become a Scheme Member and accrue a sufficient amount of service before you can submit a claim
• Then you must select a relevant course ensuring that it meets the higher level learning criteria (level 3 or above) and an Approved ELC Provider
• Thirdly, you must complete and submit an ELC claim, approved by an authorised Education Staff
• Finally you must send your completed Course Evaluation Form to ELCAS. Please note that further claims cannot be processed until evaluation forms are received for all previous courses (even those still underway).

The Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) provide the administrative support for the ELC Scheme.

Education Staff are responsible for approval of both ELC Applications and Claims. All completed forms should be submitted to Education Staff who will send the forms to ELCAS.

ECLAS
Security House, Alexandra Way, Ashchurch
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 8NB

It's also worth checking the Current Issues page on the ELCAS website, it is updated regularly and contains information on claiming for higher level funding.

Other sources of funding

Equity Student Bursary

Courses specific? Dance, drama, stage management, stage design or another performance related course.

Other criteria? Final year students who are members of Equity.

When to apply: At the end of your final year. Closing date is usually early October each year.

More information: www.equity.org.uk

Fulbright

Courses specific? Television Production, Multimedia Broadcast Journalism, International Journalism, Creative Advertising, Professional Writing, or Professional Photography.

Other criteria? Students from the USA.

When to apply: Between May-Oct, once you have a place confirmed on your course.

More information: www.fulbright.co.uk

George Viner Memorial Fund

Courses specific? Some areas of Media.

Other criteria? Black and Asian, UK students.

When to apply: Once you have a place confirmed, but before you commence your course.

More information: http://www.georgeviner.org.uk

Searching for private funding

All Postgraduate students

• Prospects: www.prospects.ac.uk/funding (guide to all aspects of postgraduate funding)
• Student Money: www.studentmoney.org (funding search tool and budget planner)
• Scholarships: www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk (funding search)
• Student CP: http://www.studentcashpoint.co.uk (a new site, with a funding search tool)
• FunderFinder: FunderFinder is a database application which is available in our Careers Office, and Connexions centres (for under 25s only). This database isn't available online. Enquirers are asked a variety of questions relating to their course, personal and financial circumstances and family history. The database then searches for likely sources of funding, given the enquirers circumstances.

Broadcast Journalism students

• BJTC: http://www.bjtc.org.uk/sponsorship.aspx (the Broadcast Journalism Training Council's advice on and list of sponsorship schemes)

International students

• Prospects: www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduk (guide to postgraduate study in the UK)
• British Council: www.educationuk.org (The British Council's education website)
• UKCISA: www.ukcisa.org.uk (The UK Council for International Student Affairs)

Students with a disability

• SKILL: www.skill.org.uk (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities)
  Info service: 020 7450 0620
  Voice: 0800 328 5050 (freephone)
  Text: 0800 068 2422 (freetext)
  Email: info@skill.org.uk

Educational Grants Advisory Services (EGAS)

EGAS is primarily concerned with helping those students who are ineligible for statutory funding. They hold a database containing details of funds available from various Charities, Trust and Bursary Schemes. Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate students can use the service they provide.

Applicants must send a letter requesting a free funding search application form and include an SAE. When EGAS receives the completed application form and SAE, they will search the database for details of any funding the applicant may be eligible to receive. The results will be forwarded to the applicant. An application form for this free search can be obtained from the EGAS website: http://www.family-action.org.uk/section.aspx?id=7514

Literature

• The Directory of Grant Making Trusts. Published by the Charities Aid Foundation, this directory enables grant seekers to search for trusts that might aid them in funding study. Available from many libraries.
• The Grants Register. Provides information on the availability of, and eligibility for, postgraduate and professional funding. Each entry gives details of subject area, eligibility, purpose, numbers offered, frequency, value, length of study, establishments and application procedures. Full contact details appear with each awarding organisation or individual award.
• The Education Grants Directory. This title provides information on almost 1,400 sources of financial help for students in need. Its listing section includes national and general sources of funds, local sources, statutory funds and student grants, company sponsorship, career development loans and LEA funding. There is also guidance on selecting the right source of funds for your needs, and advice on how to make an application.
• Prospects Postgraduate Funding Guide: The Essential Guide to Funding Further Study (Paperback) ISBN: 1840161299

Access to Learning Fund (Hardship)

Once you have enrolled, if you find yourself in financial difficulty you may be able to get assistance from our Access to Learning Fund. Contact Accommodation & Welfare or the FXU, on either campus, in the first instance.

The Government gives the University College money each year to help students who face financial problems, or higher costs than they expected, during their course. The Access to Learning Fund can meet course-related costs such as, books/equipment, travel or general living costs such as rent (but not course fees). If you qualify for a payment from the Fund, it will not usually have to be repaid.

Postgraduate students will be expected to show that you can meet your tuition fees and that you have made reasonable provision to support yourself through your course before we will consider your application to the Access to Learning Fund. Reasonable provision would be equivalent £154 per week for a single student and £123 per week for a student with dependants or who is unable to work as a result of disability.

If you think that you might need help from the Fund, don't wait until you have run out of money. Contact FXU Student advice service:

The Annex, Tremough Campus
Tel: 01326 370447
Email: advice@fxu.org.uk

Kathmor House, Woodlane Campus
Tel: 01326 213742
Email: advice@fxu.org.uk

The application forms and guide can be downloaded from the Student Services intranet page (access inside the Falmouth network only): intranet.falmouth.ac.uk