Scholarships and Bursaries
Every year the RNCM distributes over £3million to RNCM students through a suite of financial support packages. These include:
Entrance Scholarships
1-year awards, given to any category of student. Entrance scholarships are offered to applicants who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential at audition. There is no separate application process, and all applicants are automatically considered.
Continuing Principal’s Awards
Continuing awards (over length of degree) for a select group of disciplines (currently international School of Strings and Wind Brass Percussion).
ABRSM Awards
Full programme or partial support (UK / EU) scholarships selected by Heads of School. ABRSM awards are funded scholarships providing tuition and / or maintenance support for outstanding home, EU and international students. Applicants are nominated by the Heads of Schools to the Deputy Principal, who makes the final nomination to ABRSM.
Postgraduate and International Bursaries
Available for all International and UK postgraduate students, allocated on need and merit. If you’re successful in gaining a Bursary, this will normally be deducted from your tuition fees, leaving you with a reduced net balance to pay.
Undergraduate UK & EU Access Bursary
The RNCM provide bursaries of up to £1,800 per year (based on 25/26 figures) depending on a student’s household income. A student with a household income of under £60,000 should be entitled to a bursary.
Targeted Awards
ENGAGE Awards
Two students a year who have developed through RNCM Engage (under 18 projects) are nominated to receive a 4-year continuing award for the length of their study.
GREAT Scholarships
Funded by the British Council, two+ GREAT scholarships are given to students from specific countries. For 2027, this will be awarded to a student from Thailand, India and / or USA on a one-year PG programme.
Humanitarian Support
A dedicated fund for students who have been displaced inside or have been forced to leave their home country within the last 3 years because of armed conflict or persecution.
Cumbrian Awards
Awards for Cumbrian students from any year to receive financial support for one year, funded by the Benny Walker Foundation.
PGR Student Support
Over £230k a year of RNCM research funding for PhD students including AHRC-funded Northwest Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) funding (3.5 years of UK fees and stipend); competitive AHRC-funded Crafting Care for a Healthy People, Place and Planet Doctoral Focal College (DFC); tuition fees (3.5 years at UK rate); annual maintenance; reimbursement of research expenses; opportunity to apply for additional funding. All RNCM Postgraduate Research students have a yearly allocated Research allowance (£125PT and £250FT).
IAD Scholarships
Specifically for students on the cusp of international careers who are on the Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies and Opera (International Artist Diploma) . This scholarship can cover the full cost of tuition and is applied automatically to successful applicants to the programme.
Once you are a Student at RNCM, you can access…
Access to Learning Fund
If you’re in financial hardship and need extra support, the Access to Learning Fund may be able to help. You can apply if you’re experiencing unexpected financial difficulty, and support can take the form of budgeting advice, non-interest-bearing loans or non-repayable grants.
Opportunity Fund
A fund to support students who are at risk of missing out on performance projects / enriching musical experiences due to conflicting external shift work. Students are eligible to apply for up to £250 per term to cover lost income when participating in eligible projects.
Health & Wellbeing Fund
Available to all students to access specialist medical, psychological and wellbeing support. Supports timely interventions including physiotherapy, CBT, specialist consultations, mental health mentoring, educational psychological assessments / diagnostic support, and additional Alexander Technique sessions.
Student Travel Support
The Student Awards Committee has established a procedure for dispensing travel funds to students following application. Funds are limited and are intended to support the occasions when students travel to competitions and similar events which are not part of the curriculum.
Prizes
The RNCM has a suite of financial awards allocated through competitions – ranging from Artist of the Year (performance competition) to Creative Innovators’ Award (seed funding or start-ups) to the Lucy Hale Award (targeted towards students with disabilities).
Loans
Sustenance Loans
If you find yourself in financial difficulty (caused by a cash flow problem rather than a financial shortfall) the College may be able to assist with a sustentation loan (SUS Loan). This short-term loan does not accrue interest and does not require a credit check / guarantor.
Instrument purchase Loan
To help students to buy their own instrument as they start their professional careers, and to pay back interest free.
Other Support
Care leavers and estranged student support
RNCM will act as the guarantor for accommodation within Sir Charles Groves Halls, or other specific residence for care leavers or vulnerable students.
Junior Fellows Awards
Once graduated, if students are successful in gaining a position as a Junior Fellow, the RNCM has means-tested financial support available (including living costs and subsistence) alongside the annual salary for up to 5 Junior Fellows who work for the RNCM as a Junior Fellow for a year.
