Westminster College Trust, Oxford

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £665,951 (from investments and property lease)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (for bursary applications)
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £15,000 (estimated for bursaries)
• Geographic Focus: Oxfordshire and national (Methodist education focus)

Contact Details

Registered Address: 20 Havelock Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1BP

Charity Number: 309672

Company Number: 03714361

For Bursary Applications: Apply through The Queen's Foundation

• Email: financeadmin@queens.ac.uk or admissions@queens.ac.uk
• Website: https://www.queens.ac.uk/academic-information/fees-funding/bursary-fund/

Overview

Westminster College Trust, Oxford is a charitable trust established to preserve the legacy of Westminster College, a Methodist teacher training college founded in London in 1851 and relocated to Oxford in 1959 before closing in 2000. The Trust now serves as a grant-making organization supporting Methodist education, research, and heritage activities. With an annual income of approximately £665,951 derived primarily from investment income and property leasing (including a lease to Oxford Brookes University generating £420,000 annually), the Trust makes grants to individuals and organizations in support of education, training, and religious activities. The Trust focuses on supporting Methodist theological education through bursaries at The Queen's Foundation, research fellowships through the Westminster Oxford Research Network (established 2024), and infrastructure support for Methodist schools through the Methodist Academies and Schools Trust. The Trust has no employees and operates through Westminster College Oxford Trust Limited as its corporate trustee, with governance provided by directors appointed by the Methodist Church.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Student Bursaries (via The Queen's Foundation)

• 50% bursaries for self-funding students
• 33% bursaries for students with partial third-party support (e.g., church contributions)
• Covers tuition fees only for taught programmes
• One academic level at a time (Certificate/Level 4, Diploma/Level 5, Degree/Level 6, Postgraduate Degree/Level 7)
• Application deadlines: 30th November, 30th April, 30th June

Research Fellowships (via Westminster Oxford Research Network)

• Four fellowships funded in 2024 for Methodist history, heritage, and theology research
• Fellows include: Professor Bev Clack, Revd Dr Martin Wellings, Dr Tom Dobson, and Dr Daniel Reed
• No public application process - invitation or nomination basis

Named Funds

• The Dobson Theology Fund: Bursaries for students on the Christian Studies Distance Learning Programme pursuing further studies
• The Speight Undergraduate Fund: Assistance for deserving undergraduate students

Infrastructure Support

• Grants to Methodist Academies and Schools Trust for staffing infrastructure
• Support for Westminster Oxford Research Network operations

Priority Areas

• Methodist theological education and ministerial training
• Teacher training and education (historical mission)
• Research into Methodist history, heritage, and theology
• Support for Methodist schools and educational institutions
• Christian Studies and distance learning programmes
• Students with financial need and academic merit
• UK-resident students unable to access standard student loans

What They Don't Fund

• Research scholarships (not currently offered through bursary fund)
• Maintenance or living costs (bursaries cover tuition only)
• Multiple academic levels simultaneously
• Students eligible for standard Student Finance England loans (unless exceptional circumstances)
• Non-Methodist affiliated institutions (generally)
• Capital projects outside Methodist education sphere

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Governance and Leadership

Corporate Trustee: Westminster College Oxford Trust Limited (Company 03714361)

Directors/Board Members (appointed by the Methodist Church):

• Revd Canon Sir Ralph Waller - Chair
• Prof. David Richard Matthews - Director
• Alison Jane Gowman CBE - Director

Governance Structure:

• Directors appointed for initial three-year terms with possibility of reappointment for further three years
• Minimum three formal Board meetings annually
• Board members maintain regular electronic contact
• All key decisions made by the Board
• No employees - all operations managed by Board and partner organizations

Operational Model: The Trust operates through partnerships, delegating administration of specific programmes to specialist organizations (The Queen's Foundation for bursaries, Westminster Oxford Research Network for research fellowships).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Student Bursaries (Public Application Process)

Applications are made through The Queen's Foundation's Bursary Application Form:

• Ineligibility for loan funding (or reasons for not taking loans if eligible)
• Stated reasons for undertaking the course

Application Deadlines:

• 30th November (decisions made in December for January starts)
• 30th April (decisions made in May)
• 30th June (decisions made in July for September starts)

For Research Fellowships and Infrastructure Grants

These grants do not have a public application process. Awards are made through:

• Invitation by the Board
• Trustee discretion
• Pre-existing relationships with Methodist educational institutions
• Institutional partnerships (e.g., Methodist Academies and Schools Trust)

Getting on Their Radar

For Methodist Educational Institutions and Researchers:

• Methodist Connection: The Trust prioritizes Methodist Church-affiliated individuals and organizations. Directors are appointed by the Methodist Church, establishing clear pathways through Methodist governance structures
• Westminster Oxford Research Network: Methodist-associated researchers can complete the network's survey form to be considered for future fellowship opportunities
• Institutional Partnerships: Organizations like the Methodist Academies and Schools Trust and The Queen's Foundation have established partnerships - similar organizations should approach through Methodist Church channels
• Gibbs Research Room: Researchers can access the new Gibbs Research Room at Wesley Memorial Church (OX1 2DH), which may provide networking opportunities with Trust-supported activities

Decision Timeline

Bursaries: Applications acknowledged upon receipt; decisions made at three points annually (December, May, July). Typical timeline: 4-8 weeks from deadline to decision.

Other Grants: No fixed timeline - decisions made at Board discretion during regular Board meetings (minimum three annually).

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Bursary fund has “limited funding available,” suggesting competitive selection process.

Reapplication Policy

For bursaries: Awards made for one academic level at a time. Students may apply for subsequent academic levels (e.g., after completing Certificate/Level 4, may apply for Diploma/Level 5).

No explicit restrictions on reapplication mentioned, though priority given to new students at each academic level.

Application Success Factors

For Bursary Applicants:

• Demonstrate financial need: Priority for students “unable to obtain Student Finance England loans” or studying at “same/lower academic level” than previously completed
• Strong referee support: Critical that referee can confirm ineligibility for standard funding and support reasons for undertaking course
• Merit and need combined: Trust awards bursaries “where there is real need and merit in accordance with the wishes of those who made the original scholarship bequests”
• Methodist affiliation helpful: While not explicitly required, Methodist connection aligns with Trust's mission - “tuition fees for students sponsored for ministerial training by the Methodist Church are normally covered”
• Apply early: Limited funding available suggests early application within each deadline period may be advantageous

For Research Fellowship Consideration:

• Methodist research focus: All four 2024 fellows work on Methodist history, heritage, and theology
• Established credentials: Current fellows include professors and doctors with Methodist academic credentials
• Engage with Westminster Oxford Research Network: Complete researcher survey, attend events, access Gibbs Research Room
• Administrative capability: “Drs Dobson and Reed taking on much of the administrative work” suggests fellows contribute to network operations

For Institutional Funding:

• Methodist educational mission: Methodist Academies and Schools Trust received “grants to finance a staffing infrastructure so that schools can be well supported within a group context”
• Strategic alignment: Focus on “promoting higher education in the interests of the Methodist Church”
• Pre-existing relationships: Board connections through Methodist Church governance structure
• Infrastructure and capacity building: Recent grant supported staffing infrastructure rather than one-time projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two access pathways: Public bursary applications through The Queen's Foundation vs. invitation-only institutional and fellowship grants through Methodist connections
• Methodist Church linkage is critical: Directors appointed by Methodist Church; all funded programmes support Methodist education and heritage
• Bursary applications are accessible: Clear deadlines, straightforward online process, specific eligibility criteria - don't be deterred by “limited funding”
• Financial need AND merit: Trust explicitly seeks both elements when awarding bursaries, honoring original scholarship bequest intentions
• Student bursaries are substantive: 50% tuition fee coverage is significant support, with 33% available when partial funding exists
• For non-bursary grants, work through Methodist channels: Institutional grants require pre-existing Methodist educational connections or Board relationships
• Long-term commitment to Methodist education: Trust manages substantial assets (£420,000 annual property income plus £665,951 investment income) ensuring sustainable grant-making future

References

• Charity Commission Register, Westminster College Trust, Oxford (309672): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=309672&subid=0
• The Queen's Foundation, Bursary Fund: https://www.queens.ac.uk/academic-information/fees-funding/bursary-fund/
• Westminster Oxford Research Network: https://woxresearch.co.uk/
• Westminster Oxford Research Network, Methodist Education: https://woxresearch.co.uk/methodist-education/
• Companies House, Westminster College Oxford Trust Limited (03714361): https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03714361
• Wikipedia, Westminster College, Oxford: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_College,_Oxford
• Methodist Academies and Schools Trust: https://www.mastschools.org.uk/