Funding

Vaughan Williams Scholarships, of up to £8,000 will be awarded. They replace the Vaughan Williams Bursaries previously given only for Masters studies.

These scholarships are open to applicants who demonstrate exceptional compositional talent and who are intending to make composition their professional career. Scholarships are awarded towards the costs of study of a taught Masters course or PhD in composition at UK universities or conservatoires.

These are one-off scholarships and are not renewable. Entry is open to British or Irish composers, or those who have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years. There is no age limit on applicants.

Applications will open on 1 January 2025. Please check back then for the full guidelines and to register your application.

Applicants will be asked to complete an online registration form; submit three original scores; at least one recording of a performance; a short personal statement and two references – full details will be given in the guidelines.

Unfortunately, we are NOT able to support the following:
Courses in TV/film/gaming composition
Courses teaching only electro-acoustic composition
Performance courses or courses where composition is not the sole focus
Research courses centred on musicology or analysis
Courses outside the UK