Slade School of Fine Art, University College London - The Steer Medal and Prize

The Steer Medal and Prize

He has been awarded the medal and a small cash prize, which is presented once a year to a student at the Slade School of Fine Art at University College London (UCL) in recognition of outstanding academic achievement. The exact amount of the prize money is not disclosed. The Slade lists it amongst its minor annual ‘Sessional Prizes’. It is named after Philip Wilson Steer, a painter who taught at the Slade during its early decades. It is a one-off award for achievements in a single year, with no ongoing funding period.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Art at UCL.
• Field of study: You are studying fine art – such as painting, sculpture or media art – at the Slade.
• Performance: You have achieved excellent academic results and your work is outstanding.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they are studying at the Slade.
• No application: You do not need to apply. All students enrolled at the Slade are automatically considered.

How to apply

No application is required. Staff select the winner on the recommendation of the Slade Professor and the university’s awards committee, based on your academic performance throughout the year.

How realistic are your chances?

You cannot apply for this award. Staff select the winner from the entire Slade student body, so you are competing against all enrolled students, and only the very best are chosen. Think of it more as a form of recognition that may result from outstanding work, rather than something you should actively strive for. If your results and your work in the studio are exceptional, you may well be nominated without ever having applied.