Royal Academy of Music - Study & Departments > Scholarships & bursaries

Introduction

The Academy distributes over £1million in the form of bursaries each year. The need for funding for bursaries remains paramount – we are only able to fulfil one in every five requests for help. We are striving to build up our Scholarship Fund, and would welcome your donations.

UK and EU fee-status BMus students can get tuition fee loans to cover the tuition costs; these are funded by the UK government and are administered through the Student Loan Company. See the Student Finance pages for details.

Entrance Scholarships are awarded following audition on the basis of merit, and other loans and grants are available to UK students attending the BMus Programme.

You can find an outline of these funds, and the application procedures, in the 'Brief Guide to Student Finance' documents (links to these are at the bottom of this page).

UK students who experience difficulties with living costs while they are on their study programme may also apply for assistance from the Academy's 'Access to Learning' funds through the office of the Deputy Principal.

ABRSM Scholarships

Raffy Manoukian Scholarships

Other students
The Academy may be able to assist other students (normally postgraduates and full-fee paying international students) towards the costs of their fees; if you have auditioned successfully in London or are continuing your studies here, and are eligible for this assistance, we will give you a Financial Assistance form.

The Academy is able to make substantial provision in scholarship and bursary support to students on the basis of both merit and need.

Entrance Scholarships are awarded following audition on the basis of merit, and bursaries are awarded through a financial aid procedure in which eligible students are asked to complete a Financial Assistance form outlining their financial situation. We are able to give help to approximately 1 in every 4 requests for financial aid.
Funds vary from year to year but the Academy always tries to make available as much money as it can.

In cases of extreme financial hardship that may arise during the course of the academic year, the Academy has limited funds available. Applications for this funding must be directed to the office of the Deputy Principal.

International students should begin the search for financial support as early as possible. In addition to approaching the British Council and the Musicians Benevolent Fund for suggestions, there are a number of private funding bodies that may be able to assist with tuition or maintenance costs.