University of Sheffield - Julian Payne Scholarship

Julian Payne Scholarship

You receive £3,500 (about 4,100 EUR) paid directly towards your tuition fees for a one-year music master's at the University of Sheffield. The university awards two of these scholarships each year. You pay any tuition fees left over after the £3,500 yourself. If you study part time, the amount is split across your years of study. The scholarship comes from the Julian Payne endowment (a fund of donated money), set up in memory of a former Sheffield music student.

Who can apply

• Course: You start one of four master's programmes in September 2026: Musicology MA, Music, Management and Innovation MA, Music Performance Studies MA, or Psychology of Music MA.
• Study mode: You study on campus. Distance-learning courses do not qualify.
• Fee status: You pay the 'home' fee rate (the rate for UK-based students, not the overseas rate).
• Degree level: You do not already hold a master's degree or higher.
• How you fund it: You fund your studies yourself. A UK Postgraduate Loan still counts as self-funded.
• No double funding: You do not hold another university scholarship or alumni discount at the same time.

How to apply

You apply for the scholarship separately from your course application, and you must already hold an offer for an eligible course. For the 2026 round the deadline was 1 p.m. on Monday 18 May 2026, and applicants heard the outcome before the end of June 2026. A similar scheme is planned for 2027 entry, with details to follow.

How realistic are your chances?

Only home-fee students starting one of four specific Sheffield music master's without a prior master's degree can apply. That keeps the eligible group small, but only two scholarships are given. If you clearly fit the criteria and write a strong, personal case for why Sheffield and how the award helps your goals, your prospects are reasonable. The decision weighs your personal circumstances and academic record together, so a well-argued application matters more than grades alone.