Edinburgh College of Art - Bucher-Fraser Scholarship

Bucher-Fraser Scholarship

You will receive full tuition fees plus a yearly living allowance of about EUR 23,900 (the UKRI rate, currently 20,780 GBP) for a three-year full-time PhD programme commencing in September 2026. Tuition fees are waived for both home and overseas students, meaning that neither UK nor international students will have to pay any fees. The scholarship is awarded by the Edinburgh College of Art. It is intended to support a PhD student at the Reid School of Music, which is part of the University of Edinburgh. During your PhD, you will be part of the PhD community and will present your work to fellow students and staff.

Who can apply

• Level: You will be starting a full-time PhD programme in September 2026.
• Programme: You are applying for one of the three PhD programmes at the Reid School of Music: PhD in Music, PhD in Creative Music Practice or PhD in Music Composition.
• Where you study: At the University of Edinburgh, either on campus or as a distance-learning PhD student.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, as tuition fees are covered for both domestic and international students.
• Background: You will be assessed on the basis of your qualifications or relevant professional experience, as well as the quality of your research proposal and your readiness to commence your research.
• No double funding: Should you receive any other funding from the University of Edinburgh or the Research Council, you must decline this scholarship.

How to apply

First, please submit a complete application for your chosen PhD programme via the University’s online system by 19 January 2026. In your personal statement, explain why your research proposal is suitable for this scholarship and how it relates to your career plans. The selection committee will meet at the end of March 2026 and will inform all applicants of the result by mid-April 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a single scholarship linked to one faculty – the Reid School of Music – and to three specific PhD research projects in the field of music. The pool of eligible applicants is therefore small. If your research proposal is compelling and clearly aligns with the school’s area of specialisation, you have a genuine chance of success. As only one scholarship is awarded, a well-reasoned research proposal and a clear research plan are crucial to setting yourself apart from other applicants.