We’re pleased to announce that we have once again opened our long anticipated Bursary Scheme.
The Joan Harrison Creative Bursary scheme will give students the opportunity to apply for a full bursary to study a Skill Stage 2 (beginner level) course for FREE, and begin studying with us this November 2023.
We’ve named it the Joan Harrison Bursary scheme in memory of a very dear friend who taught for the school in the early days. She was a life-long needlework teacher and all round lovely person. Sadly she passed away in 2015, but we know she would have been so proud and pleased to know that the bursary scheme set up to help those who couldn’t otherwise afford to study with SST was named after her.
Please take a look at the courses available and the following information for details of how to apply, alternatively, apply now!
About The Joan Harrison Creative Bursary Scheme
Our mission at the School of Stitched Textiles is to teach and promote creativity allowing individuals to reach their full creative potential. However, we know that our courses may not always be financially accessible to everyone. The Joan Harrison bursary scheme therefore allows students to access courses and learn vital skills. Successful applicants will be awarded a bursary to study an accredited course for FREE. Course tuition will be covered by the School of Stitched Textiles.
Why apply for a Creative Bursary?
As the UK’s leading centre for accredited textiles distance learning courses, we’re one of the few centres offering City and Guild’s accredited courses. We strongly believe in the benefits of creative crafting and therefore aim to encourage everyone with an interest in these areas. We also understand the value of our courses and the launch pad they create for individuals wishing to progress their chosen career at the same time as helping to develop lifelong skills and creativity.
Our courses have become sought after both within the UK and also internationally and are recognised for their excellence in teaching and learning. This is an incredible opportunity for anyone wishing to learn and develop their skills, knowledge and creativity.
We’re offering 4 creative bursaries to students wishing to study a Skill Stage 2 course. These courses are aimed at beginners so you do not need a lot of technical or design experience, however some basic knowledge, interest and practise would be an advantage as you’ll need to enter a few images of something you have already undertaken to enable us to have something to show to our followers.
As comprehensive programmes, each of our courses include a number of different modules which focus on developing your skills in specific techniques and take around 1 year to complete. All courses are taught via distance learning allowing students to work through the course materials and follow the tutorial videos when it is convenient for them.
How to apply for our creative bursaries
The aim of the bursary application process is to get to know more about you. We’d therefore like to take a look at a few recent examples of your work that you feel reflect you as an individual, as well as your passion and commitment to your craft.
Because our Skill Stage 2 courses are aimed at beginners, you do not need to demonstrate a high level of technical ability. Instead we’d like to see your own personality and enthusiasm show through in your work. We’d like you to submit 2 pictures of your own work (this must be no larger than 3MB each). As our bursaries are aimed at those who may not otherwise be able to afford our courses, we will therefore ask you to provide information about your financial/employment situation – please don’t be offended. You will also be asked why you think you should selected and what you hope to achieve from the course. The information you provide about your financial situation will not be shared with anyone outside the judging team and it will be destroyed after shortlisting has taken place in accordance with GDPR privacy policy.
Remember that your work should reflect the course that you’re interested in so, as an example, please supply us with an example of your knitted work if you’re interested in our knitting course.
You can either create a new piece, which can be anything of your choice. Or you can simply provide a picture of something that you have made that relates to the course that you’re interested in studying. Apply Now!
Previous winners:
How work will be selected
The closing date for application is Sunday 8th October (midnight), after which our tutors will shortlist this down to list of finalists by the 10th October. The pieces which have been shortlisted will then be entered into a peer to peer poll, where our followers will be given the chance to vote for their favourite piece.
The pieces that receive the most votes will win the bursaries and the winners will be informed by 11th October.
Application schedule
8th October (Midnight): Deadline for submissions
09 – 10th October: Shortlisting selection (by our tutors at the School of Stitched Textiles)
11 – 17th October: Poll by School of Stitched Textiles followers
18th October: Winners announced
What to submit
You can submit anything that you have personally made. We do not expect perfection! This is simply to get an idea of the things you are capable of making or have tried to make and should reflect the subject that you are applying for. You may submit work that you have made previously or you may decide to make something specifically for this application. Just remember that we are looking for a piece that demonstrates your style, your personality or your interest. So, if you’ve created something that you’re particularly proud of then why not share it with us. It could be your ticket to a place on our highly sought after courses.
You can also find some great inspiration on our Student Gallery, Instagram and Pinterest boards. These will give you an idea of the type of work that you can expect to produce on each of our courses.
We look forward to seeing your wonderful creations and good luck. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Apply here.
2 Comments
I sent this application through twice can you confirm it has been received many thanks.
Hi Philomena. I’m sorry to say that we haven’t received your application. We are just in the process of testing the application process and this will be complete within the next hour. Make sure that every field is completed and that your images don’t exceed 3MB. Sorry for any inconvenience.