Leather Associated Student Grants

The Leather Associated Student Grants Programme aims to support individuals based in the UK:
– already enrolled on a part-time or full-time leather associated degree course at a UK university, or with an offer to do so later this year;
– in a leather trade related apprenticeship;
– undertaking some other form of further education related to pursuing a career in the leather industry (for those currently working in or with the industry, or who aim to in the future).

Leather Associated studies could include those working with Leather within the world of fashion, product design and engineering, as well as leather technologists, chemical engineers, product development technicians and process control engineers. It could also include business focused studies covering areas such as quality, environment, health and safety, engineering, electronics, IT, finance, logistics, sales, marketing, design, project and supply chain management as long as you have an existing connection and desire to work in the leather industry in the future. It would also encompass PHD students focused on leather related studies.

If you are looking for funding for a course that is not related to leather, or you have no connection to the leather industry, please instead consider if you are eligible to apply via the Education Student Grants Programme as that has a different focus and eligibility criteria.

Applications for the 2022-23 academic year will open on 31st January 2022.

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To be eligible to apply for a Leather Associated Student Grant you must be based in the UK:
– studying a leather-related part-time or full time degree or foundation course in the 2022-23 academic year at a university in the UK; or
– in a leather trade related apprenticeship and want to undertake some additional education/training; or
– be undertaking some other form of further education to pursue or further your career in the leather industry

Crucially you must also been in need of financial need support to be able to study (and have exhausted other options for funding including student loans or family support).

If you are not a British citizen, you must have the right to remain in the UK for at least five years or be eligible for home fee status and meet at least one of the criteria below:
– have been granted refugee status;
– studied in the UK at secondary education level;
– have family ties to the UK;
– be working in the UK and plan to stay here for the foreseeable future; or
– have settled or pre-settled status (EU).

We only accept applications made via our online form. However, we have provided a word version of the form (which will be available here when the programme opens) to allow you to prepare your answers in advance

  • You don’t need to complete the application all at once – so long as you register with us you can save your progress and sign back in anytime.
  • You will receive an automated email from studentapp@leathersellers.co.uk to confirm safe receipt once you submit your application (please check your junk/spam folder for this).
  • We notify all applicants via email on the outcome of their application.
  • Before completing your application, please ensure you comply with the criteria highlighted in the first tab (entitled Criteria).

All applications must be received before midnight on Thursday 31st March 2022 via the online application form.
You will receive an automatic acknowledgement via email when your application has been received (please check your spam/junk folder for this).

The applications will then be reviewed by the Leathersellers’ Grants team and members of a working group of Liverymen (members of the Livery Company) and a shortlist drawn together for interview.

Interviews will take place in June 2022, likely via Zoom. You will be notified by email to either be invited for interview or to inform you that you have not been shortlisted. Unless your e-mail address changes, there is no need for you to be in touch after submitting the application until you hear from us. On occasion you may not be invited to an interview but still be awarded a grant.

If you are offered a grant, you will be sent an acceptance form to complete and be required to provide confirmation from the university or other establishment to confirm you have registered. The funds will be paid to you on receipt of that, ideally early in the academic year 2022-2023.

Should you be given a multi-year grant, you will be required each year to submit an annual review showing your continuing need and progress to date, before any further funds are released. More information will be provided should you be successful.

  • Can I request feedback if my application is unsuccessful?

Unfortunately, as we only have a small Grants team at the Leathersellers it is not possible currently for us to provide feedback to all applicants.

  • If I am successful, when will I receive the first year of my grant?

If you are awarded a grant, we will send you a grant offer email detailing the terms and conditions of the grant and asking you to complete an acceptance form. Once you have completed the form, we will process the payment. The date the payment is sent signals the start of the first year of your grant.

  • What is expected of me after year one?

We request recipients of Student Grants to submit an annual review each year as an update on your progress and confirming your continuing need of the funds before any further funds are released. We will let you know about these requirements when you are made an offer.