Amelia King
BA (Hons)
The Tim Rice Charitable Trust
Stile House
Mark Cross
East Sussex
TN6 3NS
Email: amy_k89@hotmail.co.uk
Home: 01892-853317
11/04/2012
Dear Mrs. Heinink,
My name is Amelia King, and I am starting a Master’s Course in Visual, Material, and
Museum Anthropology at the University of Oxford at the end of September. This year of
postgraduate study will provide me with the knowledge and experience I need to pursue my
ultimate ambition of a career working with anthropological collections. I am twenty two years old
and living in Mark Cross, East Sussex.
I have secured most of the cost of funding the course, but am still looking to overcome a
deficit in my funding package to ensure that I can meet the required tuition fees of £10,300. From
my research, I believe I may be eligible to apply to the Tim Rice Charitable Trust for financial support.
I am writing to request assistance in the form of £1,000 from your trust, but any support would be
invaluable. Such an award would help bring me closer to embarking on my academic venture.
When I graduated last year I began applying for jobs relevant to my degree subject, both
locally in Sussex, and in London. My plan had been to find work that would allow me to become
financially independent, and earn enough money to afford to go back to university for a master’s
degree. I approached numerous commercial galleries, auction houses and museums, but to no avail.
As a result I took up work as a waitress in my village garden centre. Although this was poorly paid, it
allowed me to support myself and not feel totally defeated by the job market.
The opportunity to do a three month internship in a museum in America arose early this
year, and I leapt at the chance. The internship was unpaid but I knew that it would provide
invaluable work experience, and ultimately increase my likelihood of finding future employment in a
highly competitive field. I used all my own savings towards the costs of flights, the visa and living
expenses for my time in America. The internship has confirmed my desire to work with
anthropological collections and gain my qualification. I am acutely aware of the role of museums and
their responsibility in the preservation of history, through working in this sector I would like to help
educate future generations. It is vitally important to me that people are able to learn about different
cultures, regardless of age, socioeconomic or academic background. In an increasingly diverse
society, it seems critical that we have a better understanding of each other; I am determined that
my career will contribute to this.
Unfortunately I was unsuccessful in obtaining financial assistance from Oxford, because my
degree is not an MPhil I was eligible for very few scholarships from the university. Despite my record
of excellent grades and strong dedication to work, this also ruled out receiving ESRC funding through
the anthropology department. I have been rigorous with my search for anthropology scholarships
and grants but I have found that almost all are geared towards doctoral research; the available
resources for students wanting to pursue a master’s in the social sciences are extremely limited.
Had I found the employment that my three years of study has qualified me for, I would be in
a better position to afford the costs of the course. For me, borrowing money is not an option, as I
have an outstanding debt from my undergraduate degree and having to pay back an additional bank
loan would be crippling. In addition, my family are not in a position to support me.
However, I am determined that with my own savings, continued work, and the help of
charitable foundations such as yours, I will be able to generate enough money to meet the tuition
fees.
Enclosed is a self-addressed envelope, although you are welcome to email me if that would
be more appropriate.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Amelia King