Scholarships and Bursaries

These are offered to applicants who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential at audition. There’s no separate application process for these as everyone is automatically considered. 

Please note: Scholarship Awards are for the first year of study only (unless specifically stated otherwise). If you would like further information, please email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 161 907 5465. 

These are offered to Home undergraduates whose household income meets the published criteria. 

To apply for an Undergraduate Access Bursary, please contact Student Finance England (or your local Student Finance provider). You need to apply as an income-assessed student and you and your sponsors (usually your parents) need to consent to share details of your household income with the RNCM. 

A limited number of bursaries are also available for international and postgraduate students, allocated on the basis of need and merit. If you are successful in gaining a Bursary, this will be deducted from your tuition fees, leaving you with a net balance to pay. 

If you have any questions, please contact RNCM Student Enquiries on +44 (0) 161 907 5314. 

A commitment to supporting students in our global community is essential to our mission. 

Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical volatility, we know that the challenges students face are increasing and, in many cases, are devastating to a student’s musical potential.  

This includes young musicians who are forced to flee their homes because of armed conflict or persecution, preventing them from realising their ambitions and limiting their progression. 

Building on the success of the RNCM Ukrainian Musician’s Fund, the RNCM Humanitarian Support Fund aims to help such students through the provision of funding, guidance, and access to bespoke resources from the point of application to the completion of their studies. 

Support for up to five students will be available based on specific need. It will include a combination of financial and non-financial initiatives, including one or more of the following: 

• Full tuition fee scholarships 
• Access to the RNCM’s Pre-Sessional English Language Course (if eligible) 
• Audition fee waivers 
• Access to application and immigration support including signposting to visa options and support if applying for a Student Visa 
• Ad hoc practical support relating to travel costs or access to activities/auditions to enable progression within music education 
• Visa application costs 
• Accommodation 
• Living costs 
• Instrument purchase and maintenance costs

Any agreed support will be provided for the duration of the course, provided there are no changes to the applicant’s personal circumstances. The RNCM reserves the right to assess eligibility annually and amend or withdraw support as appropriate. 

• Eligible applicants must meet all the following criteria: 
• Be displaced inside or have been forced to leave their home country within the last three years because of armed conflict; 
• Be unable to access or complete their progression in music education;  
• Hold or be in the process of applying for the appropriate right to study in the UK; and, 
• Have received an offer of admission for entry to, or already be enrolled on, an RNCM programme in the upcoming Academic Year and able to meet all associated offer conditions.

For questions related to eligibility or more information on how to apply, please contact the Admissions team via [email protected]. 

Successful applicants will receive a letter outlining the amounts and payment dates. 

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the RNCM is offering a scholarship to students from India and a scholarship to students from Thailand applying for postgraduate courses in music. 

The GREAT Scholarships 2026 programme, launched by the British Council together with over 60 UK universities, supports postgraduate students from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam to access world-class UK higher education opportunities. 

The scholarship programme offers financial support of a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects, at over 60 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 

Students from India or Thailand, with a high level of performing/composition ability, are welcome to apply for the Master of Music (Intensive), Master of Performance (Intensive) and Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies programme via UCAS Conservatoires and follow the audition process. Applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship based on ability and potential demonstrated at audition. 

Please note that applicants must be permanent residents and passport holders of India or Thailand. For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2026, please visit Study UK.