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Support for your learning
Sarum College has a limited number of bursaries available for UK residents who would be unable to study with us without financial support. We use clear criteria for awarding bursaries, but earlier applicants may receive preference where all other application eligibility criteria are equivalent.
There are four distinctive forms of bursaries available, as detailed below – Academic, CMD, Retreat and Support. Applications should be on the relevant form given below.
We are only able to offer financial support to those enrolled or accepted on Sarum College study programmes.
How to apply
The bursaries are limited in number annually, so an application does not guarantee an award. Applications will be considered monthly in the order that we receive them.
Please complete the relevant application form below and submit with any accompanying evidence to Clair James cjames@sarum.ac.uk
Additional grants
For additional grants, we have a good relationship with the Sarum St Michael Educational Charity. For details of this and other suggested organisations that might help, see our list of grant making trusts.
Sarum College is also a learning provider with the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) which offers financial support to serving military personnel to pursue lifelong learning. Details here
Sarum College Bursary (Academic)
For postgraduate courses, spiritual direction courses, and short courses
Sarum College created this bursary fund to broaden access to our learning programmes to UK residents to encourage a broader range of people to engage with further study.
Our academic bursaries support independent students on either the Sarum College Postgraduate programmes, or Sarum College Spiritual Direction courses, or Sarum College Short Courses. An applicant cannot apply for more than one academic bursary in an academic year.
For postgraduate courses, a bursary for up to 50% of the course academic fees (excluding hospitality costs) may be applied for in each academic year.
For spiritual direction courses, a bursary for up to 50% course fees may be applied for in each academic year.
For short courses, bursaries against named short courses up to £150 may be applied for in each academic year.
Although no applicant is precluded from being eligible for funding, we will give special consideration to:
- those on low incomes;
- those who are of Global Majority Heritage/Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic group(s);
- those under the age of 30;
- people with disabilities;
- those who are not seeking ordination in a congregational setting;
Applications may be made throughout the academic year but must be in advance of the payment of fees for your course. No payments will be made directly to the applicant, but bursaries will be applied internally against the course costs.
Please use the Sarum College Bursary (Academic) Application Form below to apply for this bursary
Sarum College Bursary (CMD)
For clergy taking postgraduate courses (conditions apply)
Sarum College created this CMD bursary fund to encourage access to our postgraduate learning programmes for licensed clergy in active ministry. This bursary is for 100% of the course academic fees (excluding hospitality costs) for the first year only, with the expectation that study will be continued.
If wished, we can give information about other grant making trusts who might be able to help with fees in subsequent years.
The bursaries are limited in number annually. They are currently restricted to licensed clergy in the dioceses of Bath & Wells, Bristol, Portsmouth, Salisbury and Winchester, and the Methodist Church. An application must be accompanied by a reference from your Director of Ministry or equivalent.
Applications may be made throughout the academic year but must be in advance of the payment of fees for your course. No payments will be made directly to the applicant, but bursaries will be applied internally against the course costs.
Please use the Sarum College Bursary (CMD) Application Form below to apply for this bursary
Sarum College Bursary (Retreat)
For retreats or study breaks
Sarum College created this bursary fund to make retreats or study breaks accessible to a broader range of people, enabling them to engage with further study and refreshment.
Our retreat bursaries support people staying at Sarum College. These cover hospitality costs and the use of the library. We do not promise to provide staff time for spiritual direction or Guided Independent Research Projects, which need to be arranged separately at extra cost not covered by the retreat bursary.
An applicant cannot apply for more than one retreat bursary in an academic year.
Applications may be made throughout the academic year but must be in advance of the payment of fees for your retreat. No payments will be made directly to the applicant, but bursaries will be applied internally against the retreat costs.
Please use the Sarum College Bursary (Retreat) Application Form to apply for this bursary
Sarum College Bursary (Support)
For students encountering need during study
Sarum College created this Support bursary to support those who find themselves needing support during a course taken at Sarum College. The grants are regarded as emergency funding, and only students who have already begun study can apply. The grant is not applicable to Short Courses.
The Hardship Grant is for Postgraduate/Spiritual Direction continuing students, and offers up to £500/year to help with fees and hospitality costs where financial hardship is encountered after the course has started (eg bereavement, redundancy etc).
The Assistance Grant is for continuing students on Ministry, Postgraduate and Spiritual Direction courses, and offers up to £500/year for additional costs related to study for those with limited funding, applied to a specific cost incurred because of a person’s disability (eg additional technology).
Where applicable, no payments will be made directly to the applicant but grants will be applied against the declared costs. There may be circumstances where there is an agreement to pay the grant directly to the applicant.
Please use the Sarum College Bursary (Support) Application Form to apply for this bursary
CONDITIONS OF APPLICATION
Unsuccessful Applications
We cannot guarantee funding to any applicant. If your application is unsuccessful, you will be notified via email.
Attendance
You must meet the attendance/participation requirement of your course of study, even though the nature of ‘participation’ will differ depending on the course or programme of study. Continued support depends on proven attendance/participation and funding may be withdrawn or unavailable in the future if your participation is unsatisfactory to the programme requirements.
Withdrawal from a Course of Study
If you withdraw from your course, you will not receive further financial assistance. You may be required to repay any financial assistance you have been awarded, depending on the amount and remaining time of study. By accepting the funds, this condition is acknowledged. An appeal process can made by contacting the Director of Finance at Sarum College.
Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Inclusion
Sarum College is committed to equality of opportunity, and to ensuring broad access to a high-quality learning experience.
Supporting the Bursary Fund
We are grateful to the Community of St Denys Trustees for their generous contribution to the College’s bursary funds in July 2024.
Sarum also works in partnership with St Boniface Trust to offer respite breaks and pastoral support at the College for Anglican clergy experiencing a physical, mental and/or spiritual crisis.
If you would like to support theological learning for all, please donate online