University of Birmingham - Music Scholarships

What you get

At the University of Birmingham, you will receive approximately 17 hours of music lessons per year for three years, which is equivalent to £1,000 per year (a total of £3,000, equivalent to approximately 1,150 EUR). This is a tuition fee waiver, not a cash payment. The course is organised by the University’s Department of Music and may take place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Each year, the University awards 15 of these scholarships across three categories: orchestra, choir and jazz. To retain the scholarship in subsequent years, you must achieve an academic standard of 2:1 and play or sing in at least one university music group assigned to your category.

Who can apply

• Degree: You will be starting a full-time Bachelor’s degree programme at the University of Birmingham in September 2026.
• Not a music student: Your main subject is anything other than music. This award is aimed at talented musicians who are studying a different subject.
• Birmingham as first choice: You have received an offer and have indicated Birmingham as your ‘definite’ (first) choice.
• Music level: You perform on an instrument or as a singer at the 8 level. You must provide evidence of this in the form of a 8 certificate or a letter from your teacher, as well as a video.
• Residence: You are considered a ‘domestic’ student. This means that, as a rule, you have lived in the UK for the three years prior to starting your studies and pay the tuition fees applicable to domestic students.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply, provided they meet the above requirements regarding residence in the United Kingdom and domestic fees.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form for the music scholarship and attach your supporting documents: proof of your 8 level, your academic results, and video recordings of two contrasting pieces that you have uploaded to YouTube. Applicants in the jazz stream should instead submit jazz standards and a written transcription. The application deadline is 3 July. After this, the university’s music team will review all complete applications, and you will be notified of the result once your A-level results are available in August.

How realistic are your chances?

The pool of applicants is small. You must already have been offered a place at Birmingham as your first choice, be studying a non-musical subject, and have achieved a grade of 8. As a result, far fewer people apply than for the open scholarships. As there are only 15 places across three categories, musical ability and academic achievement remain the ultimate deciding factors in the selection process. If you clearly meet the requirements and submit compelling, well-prepared videos, your chances are good.