Open Window Scholarship Competition Offers 50% Tuition Awards for Creative Degrees
Open Window Scholarship Competition: tuition awards
The Open Window Scholarship Competition offers up to four scholarships for its February 2027 intake. Each award covers 50% of tuition for the 2027 academic year, with later-year renewal subject to programme and academic conditions. The participating degrees cover Creative Technologies, Visual Communication Design, Game Design and Animation, and Film Arts.
Who can enter and when
Applicants must have matriculated in 2025 or 2026 and hold a valid Open Window acceptance letter for the February 2027 degree intake. Entries close on 30 December 2026. Acceptance into a degree is therefore an important preliminary step, not something to leave until after submitting a competition entry.
The required creative submission
Create an original visual story in four moments or frames under the theme “A Story of What Could Be…”. Time-based work may not exceed 30 seconds. Include the acceptance letter, qualification and specialisation choices, project title, a rationale of no more than 200 words and planning/process documentation. Work must be original and created during 2026 for this competition. Use the entry form linked from the official page.
Develop a story that reads clearly
Independent creative preparation advice: begin with a simple change. What is different at the end of your story, and what makes the audience understand that change? Sketch several alternatives before choosing a final approach. Four moments leave little room for unnecessary information, so each frame should contribute something distinct to the sequence.
Choose a medium you can control
A technically elaborate production is not automatically a stronger story. Choose a medium that allows you to communicate your idea confidently and finish the work carefully. Test whether the composition, pacing and visual transitions make sense without a long verbal explanation. Ask a trusted viewer what they understood before telling them what you intended; the difference can reveal where revision is needed.
Keep evidence of your process
Save drafts, sketches and working notes as you develop the project. This helps you explain creative decisions and distinguish your own work from reference material. Respect ownership of any material you consult and do not present somebody else’s images as your original creation. Review exported files on a different device before submitting, particularly if the project relies on motion or fine visual detail.
Frequently asked questions
Does the award cover all tuition? No, the stated award is 50%.
Do I need an acceptance letter first? Yes, the competition requires a valid letter for the specified intake.
Can I reuse an old project? The official rules require work created in 2026 specifically for this competition.
Read the official programme requirements
Open the official application route
Official sources checked on 30 October 2026. Reign Gigs is an independent publisher, not the funding provider. Selection and funding decisions remain with the provider.
Explore other bursaries and scholarships on Reign Gigs, checking each programme’s own terms.
