Student bursary applications open with Spectacle Makers’ Charity
Bursary Description
The Spectacle Makers’ Charity has opened applications for student bursaries for the 2024–25 academic year.
Applications close at midnight on 11 December and awards are paid out by 31 March 2025.
Since its launch in 2016, the scheme has helped more than 120 students enrolled on degree and diploma courses in dispensing, orthoptics, optometry, ophthalmic imaging and allied subjects leading directly to careers in eye health care.
Nurses studying for MSc programmes in clinical ophthalmic practice or primary care ophthalmology guidance for nursing are also eligible.
The maximum value of any award is £1000, and the scheme is competitive, with fewer than one in 10 applicants receiving a bursary.
The charity emphasised that trustees “are not looking for the highest grades or the most polished applications,” but aim to identify students who would most benefit from the bursary in order to “thrive in their course and concentrate on developing their knowledge and skills.”
Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong commitment to their studies and are able to justify how they will spend the money through a clearly costed plan.
Applicants are asked to complete an online form and all applications are anonymised and individually assessed by a panel of trustees. The full board will then decide the amount of each award.
David Parkins, chair of the charity, said: “We know that a bursary can only cover a small part of the costs involved in studying for a career in eye health, and we cannot help everyone who applies, but we want to do what we can.”
“We ask all applicants to complete the same online form. Everyone has the same chance to tell us why they chose their course, what they love about it, what makes them different, and why they specially deserve that little extra bit of help,” he added.
Winners of the bursaries are asked to provide a short written report or video about their progress.
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers also invites one or two bursary winners to attend a special event each year in order to meet people from across the sector.
Details of the scheme have been sent to UK academic institutions running relevant courses.
The application form and guidance notes can be found on the Spectacle Makers’ website.
Lead image: a certificate is handed to previous bursary recipient, Jemini Katechia