The Stationers' Foundation Award

The Stationers' Foundation Award

You will receive up to £9,000 per year (about 10,500 EUR in total) as a grant towards your tuition fees. The money will be paid directly to your university for the duration of your Master’s programme. You will also be assigned a mentor from the Guild – an experienced member who will support you throughout your studies. Once you have completed your Master’s degree and your mentor has recommended you, you can join the company as a ‘Freeman’ – free of charge for three years. The funding comes from the Stationers’ Foundation, the charity of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, a guild in the City of London with roots in publishing and printing.

Who can apply

• Course: You have accepted a place on the Master’s programme in ‘Publishing’ at the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London. The wider programme also includes Master’s programmes in publishing, journalism, library and information science, data science and communication design at other UK universities.
• Level: You will commence a full-time Master’s degree programme (MA or MSc) between September 2025 and August 2026.
• Residence and fees: You live in the UK and pay UK (domestic) tuition fees. This means that you have lived in the UK for the three years prior to the start of your course, and not primarily for the purpose of undertaking full-time study.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they meet the above requirements regarding residence in the United Kingdom and the fees.
• Financial need: You need help covering your costs. Financial need is one of the selection criteria.
• Grades: You have an excellent academic record.
• Willing to take part: You are ready to get involved in the life of the Stationers’ Company whilst you are studying.
• Interview: You can attend an interview at Stationers’ Hall in London at the end of June or in mid-July. It is not possible to postpone the award to a later year.

How to apply

You should apply directly to the programme director and administrative staff of your chosen course, not to the Stationers’ Company. Please enclose two reference letters (one academic and one personal) as well as financial documents. For the Master’s programme in ‘Publishing’ at the London College of Communication, the application deadline is 23 May 2025 if your interview is in June, or 16 June 2025 if your interview is in July. If you are shortlisted, you will attend an interview at Stationers’ Hall, where you will give a short presentation featuring examples of your work.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is very limited. You must have secured a place on a specific Master’s programme in publishing, be paying UK tuition fees, and demonstrate financial need. As a result, the group of eligible applicants is small. Up to 16 grants will be awarded under the programme as a whole, but as only one UAL course is listed, the pool of applicants for this place is limited. If you clearly meet the criteria, can demonstrate your financial hardship and show a genuine interest in the company, your chances are good.