Student Resources
What is my AMUSF student membership?
Your annual AMUSF student membership provides you with the support of the AMUSF throughout your training
You'll receive:
- a copy of The Journal - published three times a year (via your approved training centre)
- an annual wallplanner (via your approved training centre)
- access to the Student Member Forum
- full access to member content on the AMUSF website (excluding use of the insignia)
- a monthly e-newsletter with industry updates and news
- access to the fabric buying scheme - discounts on fabrics, trims, rugs and other interior furnishings
- access to member resources - suggested reading list, business support and sources of funding
- student events and networking opportunities - coming soon!
- support from the AMUSF Student Lead Board Representative - the student voice on the Board - who can be contacted by email here
- support from the AMUSF office with any business queries you might have
A complete list of member benefits is available here.
Your student membership is renewable for each Stage of your training. All memberships will renew on 1 September annually, unless your course runs to a different date. Further details on how to renew are available here.
Once you have completed your Diploma, we'd love for you to retain your AMUSF membership and benefits and apply to become an AMUSF Graduate Member. This can be done via the website.
Got a question?
- How do I become 'self employed'?
- How do I pay my tax?
- Do I need a business bank account?
find your answer on our starting out in business support page
Looking for our recommended reading?
what to read to support your learning
read and download our list of recommended reading
Looking for more resources?
fabric buying scheme, job board or what podcast to listen to ......
check out our member resources page for more info
Student Forum
share your questions, ideas and thoughts with others and join in the conversation here!
Sources of Funding
AMUSF Bob Fowlds Grant
The AMUSF run The Bob Fowlds Grant annually and award two prizes of £1,000 plus mentorship to graduates looking to start up a new business. Applications open in late Spring each year and are announced in July annually. Keep an eye on the newsletter and socials to hear when new applications open.
Heritage Crafts
Heritage Crafts offer bursaries of up to £4,000 to
- new entrants who have demonstrated a commitment to starting a new craft career and need to acquire the necessary hand skills;
- early-career practitioners who have not yet attained the hand skills required to achieve commercial success; or
- early- or mid-career craftspeople who need to acquire distinctly different hand skills to develop new ways of achieving commercial success.
Read more about what they offer on their website.
The Queen Elizabeth (QEST)
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust is a charity that transforms the careers of talented and aspiring makers by funding their training and education, creating pathways to excellence and strengthening the future of the UK’s craft sector.
QEST has awarded £7.2 million to almost 900 individuals working across the UK in 130 different craft disciplines. Read more about QEST and the grants they offer at QEST Scholarships, Emerging Maker Grants & Apprenticeships
The Worshipful Company of Upholders of the City of London
The Worshipful Company of Upholders offer the following funding:
- The Upholders Charity Bob Fowlds Memorial Scholarship which provides bursaries for students aged between 16 and 24 years and adults in financial need who are studying for an AMUSF qualification. The bursary covers up to 50% of the cost of one stage of the AMUSF upholstery diploma qualification. Read more about this grant on their website.
- Usher Travel Bursary offers funding to applicants who want to undertake personal development or an educational project in the trades currently represented by the Company, namely upholstery and soft furnishings, the funeral trade and the bedding industry. Read more about this on their website.
Informal Feedback?
If you have informal feedback on your Approved Training Centre, this can be sent to the AMUSF anonymously.
Please note, this does not replace the formal complaints process in the Student Learning Agreement.
Course Queries
Please note that if you have any queries in relation to your course, which includes how you might be able to cancel part way through, you must in the first instance contact your approved training centre. Your contract is with your chosen approved training centre, it is not with the AMUSF and we are unable to assist further with these types of queries.
If you wish to defer your course or have a concern about your approved training centre, please ensure you follow the process outlined in your Student Learning Agreement. The AMUSF will only become involved once this process has been followed.
In line with the Student Learning Agreement if you wish to defer your course, please email the AMUSF office with your request at enquiries@amusf.org. Your request will be processed in accordance with the Student Learning Agreement.