SERC Art Student Jonathan Receives Scholarship to Glasgow School of Art

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe's leading university-level institutions for visual creative disciplines, ranked 3rd in the UK, 6th in Europe and 11th in the world for art & design in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2022. 

SERC Downpatrick student Jonathan applied for the scholarship and GSA assessed his financial needs and his academic achievement. Viewing the grades he has achieved and the portfolio of work that he submitted, he was accepted into the course.   

Jonathan commented, “I couldn't be happier after receiving the news of being awarded my scholarship. Aside from the obvious financial aid this will provide, being awarded the scholarship has been a tremendous form of motivation. With the specific scholarship I was awarded being limited to only two individuals, it is the largest and most exclusive scholarship that could have possibly been awarded. Knowing that I was selected for this, and that my work was regarded to be of high enough quality among each of the other candidates, has given me such a major boost to my confidence regarding my craft and has only pushed me to strive for an even greater level of quality and creativity. 

“Without SERC I could never have dreamed of achieving the success that I have now. My tutors have gone above and beyond for me, assisting me in every step of my journey in finding myself as an artist and to say that they have been an inspiration is an understatement. When I joined the college from failing Art at GCSE level, I was disheartened. Under the wings of my tutors however, my eyes were opened to the true possibilities within the world of art and how I could reach such heights. Following their guidance and support I was able to achieve Distinction grades for each of my four years studying at SERC, producing the work that would ultimately secure my scholarship.  

“SERC's influence didn't 't stop with my wonderful tutors, as the College Entrepreneur Team allowed me to learn ways to promote my work and taught me essential skills in marketing and networking, skills that I have applied outside of college to even develop my own automotive photography business as a potential means of earning additional money doing what I have loved all my life.  

“I could honestly continue all day describing just how beneficial SERC has been to me as a person and an artist, however there is simply too much to say. SERC offered me a safe and welcoming space to hone my skills, a space that I consistently looked forward to attending and for that I can't be thankful enough.” 

Keri-Ann Ross, SERC Lecturer in Art and Design & Student Company Mentor said, "'The Downpatrick, Art and Design teaching team are delighted for Jonathan in gaining his first-choice place at Glasgow School of Art and now on being awarded his Scholarship. Johnathan has been an enthusiastic, innovative, and entrepreneurial student who has taken full advantage of the opportunities made available to him during his time at SERC and who has developed significantly as a result. We are confident that Jonathan will build upon this success as he embarks on this new chapter in his journey. We look forward to seeing what he will do next. ''

Jonathan will begin his course this September.  

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