Burberry and RCA: a quality partnership

A partnership that is set to be of enormous benefit to design and art students has been announced by the Royal College of Art (RCA) and the British global luxury brand Burberry.

The Burberry Design Scholarship has been created to nurture and support the wealth of creative talent that exists in the UK which will include a new funding stream for students.

As well as funding support, students will receive an iPad to help them with their studies and there is also a work experience opportunity with Burberry.

The Scholarship applies to students across a number of design disciplines: Architecture, Design Interactions, Fashion, Innovation Design Engineering, Photography, Textiles and Visual Communication.

Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Officer at Burberry, graduated from the RCA in 1994 and has a long-standing relationship with the College. He said: “I am thrilled and privileged to announce the Burberry Design Scholarship with the Royal College of Art. Burberry and the Royal College of Art have worked together on various projects over the years, with the aim of developing and supporting emerging British trained design talent and this is a natural evolution of that close partnership.

“I was myself incredibly fortunate to be awarded a scholarship to the RCA and I can say without question I would not be where I am today had it not been for that support.

“It's for this reason that I feel so proud that we at Burberry are able to offer this opportunity to the creative talent of tomorrow, giving a new generation of designers the chance to benefit from the world class expertise, facilities, teaching, experience and mentoring that this collaboration will bring.”

Dr Paul Thompson, Rector of the Royal College of Art, said: “I am delighted that through the Burberry Design Scholarships, the Royal College of Art will continue to produce some of the most outstanding creative talent in partnership with one of Britain’s most successful and dynamic global companies.

“Christopher dedicates so much of his time to students and great causes and we are privileged to have his knowledge, insight and experience. Burberry is a highly successful company, driven by innovation; it provides the perfect source of inspiration for any design or art student.”