Intensive postgraduate study is vital if the next generation of musicians are to achieve their potential, but the costs are astronomical. Taking living expenses and tuition fees into account, the cost of a two-year postgraduate degree can easily reach £40,000.
Help Musicians' postgraduate awards offer support to students who wish to complete their studies at the leading UK conservatoires and performing arts colleges. The charity has been making educational awards of between £1,000 and £5,000 to conservatoire students since 1921.
Previous winners of these awards include trumpeter Alison Balsom OBE, percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, violinist Clio Gould, cellist Guy Johnston, violinist Tasmin Little OBE and guitarist Miloš Karadaglic.
In 2019, the average award for a postgraduate musician was £2,780, helping a total of 103 students with their next year of study.
Who can Apply
This year our awards are open to students who are either hoping to start or move in to the second year of a music performance postgraduate degree in September 2020 at the following conservatoires or performance institutions:
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- Leeds College of Music
- National Opera Studio*
- Royal Academy of Music
- Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- Royal College of Music
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Royal Northern College of Music
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
- Wales International Academy of Voice*
*Opera courses only
How to Apply
First, read the application guidelines for full details on how to apply, the process involved and audition requirements should you be shortlisted.
Once you have read the guidelines, you should complete your online application form by Monday 3 February at 5pm. If you would like to see the questions prior to completing the application form, you can download a blank copy here.
You must also provide us with a reference. Please ask your referee to complete the online reference form by Monday 3 February. Your referee should be somebody that knows you best and is able to comment on your musical potential and why you would benefit from Postgraduate study.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is Monday 3 February at 5pm. Any applications submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Contact
Please contact creative@helpmusicians.org.uk or call 0207 239 9119 if you are not sure whether you are eligible or if you have any queries regarding our eligibility criteria or you just want to discuss your application prior to submission.