Considered to be “the natural next step” after undertaking the BPIF Level 5 Leadership & Management Course, the BPIF’s MSc in Management usually costs £6,340 plus VAT to complete.
The Stationers’ Foundation, which forms the charitable arm of The Stationers' Company, is offering the bursary to either a single student or to be shared between several students for who funding would be a barrier.
The bursary is funded by The Printing Charity. While the charity’s origins were – and remain in – welfare, its work has grown over the years to include support for education and training and its education funding now benefits almost 500 individuals a year.
The Stationers’ Company, meanwhile, offers up to 15 bursaries a year and mentoring to students on specific courses that support entry to and progression within these sectors.
Run in partnership with the University of South Wales’ Management Development Centre (MDC), the MSc is aimed at those in print with at least five years’ experience in a management role, or with full membership of a professional institute, that wants to take their leadership skills to the next level.
The course is a fast-track top-up masters designed to provide minimal disruption to the working week. It can be completed in as little as twelve months if students are full members of a professional institute.
Alongside a dissertation and two residential weekends a year, students are supported through the MDC’s online support group.
BPIF programme director Ursula Daly said: “I don’t feel that we get enough applications and I would like to see an increase because it is a fantastic opportunity. Industry is challenging and anything you get that is going to help you do better has got to be such a big thing.
“Whereas one of the benefits of the Level 5 programme is the opportunity to build networks within the industry, the masters actually takes people outside the industry and gives them the opportunity to build networks there.”
The funding, which also considers the academic potential of applicants, is available for the academic year starting in October 2019.
The application form should be submitted by 23 May 2019 and applications must be supported by two references; one academic and one personal from someone of standing who can support the financial statements made in the application.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview at Stationers’ Hall in London in the weeks commencing 24 June and 1 July 2019. Successful recipients of the funding will also have the opportunity to be mentored by a member of The Stationers’ Company.
“There are a number of pretty significant individuals within Stationers’ as far as our industry is concerned and the successful candidate will be allocated an appropriate mentor depending on where they sit within our industry,” said Daly.
“They will have regular contact with that individual throughout the programme, which just gives them somebody that they can talk to and it’s the opportunity to benefit from someone else’s experience.”
Applications should be sent to Ursula Daly at BPIF, St Bride Foundation, Bride Lane, London EC4Y 8EQ or via email to ursula.daly@bpif.org.uk. Daly can also be contacted directly for more information about the course or on how to apply for the funding.
