A multi-faceted program designed to support wider access to our creative change-making content, we use equitable pricing structures, create free resources, and have given $500,000+ in scholarships for change-makers since 2014.
Flexible Payments
Sliding scale pricing is available for Intro courses and select handbooks, and payment plan options are offered on most courses and certifications.
Scholarship Support
A year-round program, anyone can apply for a scholarship to receive a discount ranging from 25% to 75% off a wide selection of our courses.
We maintain an extensive library of free toolkits and resources to help activate change on topics ranging from eco-anxiety to circular transformation.
Designing tools to help transform how goods and services are designed in support of creating a regenerative, circular economy fuels us—but we know that we can’t do it alone. That’s why we give away at least 20% of all of our content for free.
Everything you need to know about UnSchool scholarships for change-makers
As a socially-motivated business, we work hard to balance providing reduced tuition for our programs, offering open source tools & resources, and generating enough revenue to maintain and innovate our programs.
Operating on a lean budget requires us to distribute our resources to support our applicants in highest need. The goal of our Equity Access Program is to provide access to those who otherwise would not be able to engage with our materials.
Whilst an open policy, this offer especially applies to:
Historically marginalized communities
Persons identifying as being from First Nations, Aboriginal, Native or other Indigenous communities
People who live in places that are most vulnerable to climate-related impacts
As you consider the program and whether to request one of our scholarships for change-makers, please review the questions below.
Equity Access Review
If you are requesting a scholarship because you have already invested in a higher degree program or other programming, you may not be eligible as consideration will go to those who have not had the opportunity for advanced programming.
If so, please reach out to creatively raise funds from your personal networks so we may utilize our scholarships for applicants who do not have such opportunities. We have also had many of our participants successfully gain financial support from their employers, but only after they have asked!
We offer a lot of free and open-source content and encourage you to dive into these first before applying for a scholarship. If you still need more, please do return and fill out the application. Resources can be found in our library here, on medium.com/disruptive-design, and circularclassroom.com
Please note that we do not offer scholarships for change-makers on our certification tracks. However, throughout the year we do offer periodic flash sales for a discount, so make sure you subscribe to our mailing list.
We’ve had former fellows do trades in the form of workshop hours at local institutions and businesses, run crowdfunding campaigns, and develop products or services to sell. Creativity is at the core of what we do, and we encourage all our participants to come up with alternative options for discovering resources!
How we do it
Wondering what enables equity access to our unique change-making methodology?
Our goal is to activate as many change-makers as possible through widespread access to the Disruptive Design Method and its associated tools. To do so, we request that clients of our creative agency Disrupt Design allow for a minimum of 20% open-source content when possible. Additionally, we leverage revenue from the sales of our online courses to support equity access.
To this day, we have never taken investments and are exclusively self-funded. This enables us to maintain our rebellious, positively disruptive approach, as well as to continue to offer scholarships and create more free resources and tools that help activate change. Do you have an idea for our next free toolkit? Reach out and let us know!
The UnSchool has had a profound effect on me by redefining the way in which I view the world and altering my reflection upon past experiences. I felt continuously stretched and challenged, but ultimately transformed both personally and professionally. It has been the catalyst to inspire change in ourselves before we set out to change our worlds.
Mohammed BashkeelSão Paulo Fellowship
With accessibility as one of our core values, we take several steps to ensure our learning content is designed for widespread access.
Differentiated content design to accommodate various learning styles
Closed captioning on all course videos for enhanced inclusivity
Accessibility-centered design for both our website and newsletter
Diverse global locations for in-person learning opportunities
Scheduling across multiple time zones for live online learning
Multi-language translations on some content to support a global audience
Free Disruptive Design Method Intro Course
To help solve problems at a planetary scale, you need 3-dimensional thinking tools. This free introductory class unpacks the core concepts of the Disruptive Design Method and helps you discover how to identify your own pre-established thinking, restructure the relevance, and then build new 3-dimensional knowledge.
