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Bursaries
The College encourages participation from all economic backgrounds. To support this, the College has a small number of bursaries available. Due to the very limited amount of financial support on offer please think about your suitability, if you are able to pay then you are expected to do so. In securing your own funds you are supporting the education of someone less able to do so.
Applications are viewed on a case-by-case basis. Acceptance of any application is at the discretion of the College. We are unable to enter into discussions of any decisions.
Information here will help you establish how to apply for a bursary. The smaller the bursary requested from the College, the greater the likelihood that we will be able to grant it. Priority is given to applicants who can show that they have approached other sources of funding. Therefore, please investigate other funding possibilities before asking us for a bursary and let us know who you contacted and with what result. Even a small amount may enable us to help one more person, or ‘match’ funding from another source, thus ensuring that our limited financial assistance can support those most in need and be shared amongst more applicants.
Applicants from the developed world are only eligible for bursaries of 50% or less. In reality very few of these bursaries are greater than 20% and only go to exceptional candidates who have pursued alternative funding.
Applicants from low or middle-income countries may apply for larger amounts. Only in the most exceptional cases are 100% of course fees covered by our bursaries and only where alternative funding has been pursued.
Allocation of bursaries is at the discretion of the College and we recognise that applicants situation differs from person to person. However, we use a recognisable system of per capita GNP as published by the World Bank as a guide to potential funds available for applicants from across the world.
A request for financial documentation may be made to any applicant applying for a bursary.
Where possible, the College prefers to accept deferred payment for part of the course fee, rather than offering bursary support. Please state the conditions under which this might be possible. For administrative reasons, instalments should not be spread over more than one year and should each be of a reasonable size (150 pounds sterling or more).
Bursaries are used to cover the cost of tuition, accommodation, food and field trips, but you will have to find your own travel and other incidental expenses.
Please note that it is not possible for the College to accept offers of work of any kind in lieu of course fees. All routine work is shared by staff, course participants and volunteer helpers who have already attended at least one course at the College and shown that they have the appropriate attributes for such a role.
Scholarships are occasionally offered through specific funders and trusts. These will be advertised on our website when they are available.
How to apply for a bursary or scholarship
- Ensure you have read the current programme, and/or studied the College website, in particular: About the College
- Select the course you wish to attend from the current course programme and then submit a completed application form by fax or post (airmail). If applying for financial assistance, you do not need to send a deposit with your initial application.
- With your application, enclose a letter explaining (i) how you will benefit from the course and how you will use what you have learnt within your community; and (ii) why you are unable to pay the full course fee.
- Submit two supporting letters from employers, colleagues, professors or others familiar with your work, explaining why they believe you deserve financial assistance and how the course will help with the work you do. These documents cannot be accepted by e-mail as we require signatures.
- Enclose proof of citizenship (a photocopy of the relevant page of your passport or birth certificate).
- Print out, complete and sign the checklist and return it with your application.
Please click here for a copy of your application checklist.
None of these documents can be accepted by e-mail as we require signatures.
Application deadlines
Applications for financial assistance must be made with reference to a particular course. All applications will be considered six weeks before the start of the course and applicants will be notified of the decision shortly after that. Only in the exceptional circumstances will applications be considered after this deadline. Please note that an application for financial assistance does not guarantee you a place on the course.
Recipients of financial assistance will be asked to:
- Complete a feedback form at the end of the course.
- Submit a short written report within 30 days of the end of the course.
- Provide a further report six months after the end of the course which describes the longer-term benefits of their participation in the course.
Schumacher College is part of the Dartington Hall Trust, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and as a charity (company no. 1485560, charity no. 279756). Registered office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL, UK.