ABRSM Scholarships

ABRSM

UKDeadline: Invalid Date

ABRSM Scholarships are need-based and merit-based awards funded by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, providing partial to full tuition for outstanding musicians studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Award Amount

Partial to Full Tuition GBP

Scholarship Type

merit-based

Eligibility Criteria

uk-eu-students
international-students
performance-based
undergraduate
graduate
financial-need

Instruments

multipleall-instruments

ABRSM Scholarships are need-based and merit-based awards funded by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), providing partial to full tuition for outstanding musicians studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. More than 70 scholars benefit from ABRSM funding each year.

How ABRSM Scholarships Work

ABRSM is a UK-registered charity and the world's leading provider of music exams. A portion of its revenue is reinvested into music education through scholarships and bursaries at the four Royal Schools of Music. The scholarships are administered directly by each institution, not by ABRSM itself.

The four participating schools are:

Royal Academy of Music (RAM): Offers ABRSM-funded scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Auditions for 2026 and 2027 entry are currently open, and every applicant is automatically considered for scholarship funding.
Royal College of Music (RCM): Every student applying for a performance or composition course commencing in 2026 or 2027 is considered for a scholarship, whether auditioning in person or by video.
Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM): Offers ABRSM bursaries alongside other named scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS): Provides ABRSM-supported funding for students in performance, composition, and academic music programs.

ABRSM also funds a separate scholarship at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, supporting students across all four years of undergraduate study.

Eligibility

Eligibility varies by institution, but common requirements include:

Acceptance into a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate program at one of the four Royal Schools
Demonstrated musical excellence through audition
Financial need (for bursary components)
Open to both UK/EU and international students, though funding amounts may differ

Real-World Example

A violinist accepted into the Royal College of Music's Bachelor of Music program for 2026 entry would be automatically considered for an ABRSM scholarship during the audition process. If awarded, the scholarship could cover a substantial portion of the annual tuition fee, which for international students at RCM exceeds GBP 30,000 per year. A UK student receiving a full ABRSM bursary could see their entire tuition covered, reducing their annual costs to living expenses only.

The first ABRSM scholarship was awarded in 2012 to seventeen-year-old Andy Chung Hok-Chun, who received funding for all four years of his undergraduate studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a serious musician planning to study in the UK, applying to one of the four Royal Schools automatically puts you in contention for ABRSM funding. You do not submit a separate ABRSM application. The key is to perform well in your audition and clearly communicate your financial need through each school's financial aid process.

For international students, the savings can be significant. UK conservatoire tuition for non-UK students ranges from GBP 25,000 to GBP 35,000 per year. A partial ABRSM scholarship of 50% reduces your annual cost by roughly GBP 15,000, and a full scholarship eliminates tuition entirely.

Start preparing your audition repertoire at least 12 months before the application deadline. Contact the admissions office of your target school to confirm ABRSM scholarship consideration and ask about additional bursary opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

ABRSM scholarships are available to musicians who meet the following requirements:

Acceptance: You must be accepted into a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate program at one of the four Royal Schools of Music (Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, or Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
Instrument: Open to all instruments, voice, and composition
Musical excellence: Demonstrated through audition. Every applicant to the Royal Schools is automatically considered for scholarship funding
Financial need: Required for bursary components. You must communicate your financial need through each school's financial aid process
Nationality: Open to UK, EU, and international students. ABRSM supports 2 UK postgraduates, 2 EU postgraduates, and 2 international postgraduates at each Royal School per academic year
Education level: Both undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible
Age: No specific age restriction, but you must meet the entry requirements of your chosen Royal School

A separate ABRSM scholarship is also available at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, supporting students across all four years of undergraduate study.

Application Deadlines

ABRSM scholarships do not have a separate application deadline. You are automatically considered when you apply to one of the four Royal Schools. The audition deadlines for each school are:

Royal Academy of Music: Auditions for 2026 and 2027 entry are currently open. Check the RAM admissions page for specific audition dates.
Royal College of Music: Applications for 2027 entry typically close in early October 2026. Auditions take place in November and December 2026. Check the RCM admissions page for exact dates.
Royal Northern College of Music: Applications for 2027 entry typically close in early October 2026. Check the RNCM admissions page for exact dates.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: Applications for 2027 entry typically close in early December 2026. Check the RCS admissions page for exact dates.

For the ABRSM International Postgraduate Scholarship (a separate award for international students), contact ABRSM directly. The application process and deadlines differ from the Royal Schools scholarships.

Past Recipients

ABRSM publishes information about scholarship recipients in its annual Impact Reports. Named recipients include:

Nikita Lukinov (2021): Pianist. Received a full ABRSM scholarship to pursue a Master of Music degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Graduated with First Class Honours in 2021. Also received an Artist Diploma in 2024. Now teaches at RCS as the youngest senior staff member across all UK Royal Schools of Music. Named a 2023 BBC Music Magazine Rising Star. (Biography)
Alim Beisembayev (2016 to 2021): Pianist. Supported by the ABRSM Scholarship while completing his Master's degree at the Royal College of Music. Won First Prize at the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition. Also a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist and recipient of the Critics' Circle Young Artist Award 2024. (Biography)
Alasdair Cottee (ongoing): Oboist. ABRSM Scholarship supported his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Junior Department. Principal Oboe of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. BBC Young Musician 2024 quarter finalist and BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician of the Year 2026 finalist. (BBC profile)
Bridget Yee (2026/27): Received the ABRSM International Postgraduate Scholarship Award for the 2026/27 season, alongside awards from the Hattori Foundation, Help Musicians, Drake Calleja Trust, and Countess of Munster Trust. (LinkedIn announcement)
Andy Chung Hok-Chun (2012): The first ABRSM scholarship recipient. Received funding for all four years of undergraduate study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts at age 17.
James Napoleon Lai (ongoing): Pianist. Studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the ABRSM Scholarship with Professor Aaron Shorr and Professor Fali Pavri. (Official site)

Step-by-Step Application Process

Choose your Royal School: Research the four Royal Schools of Music (RAM, RCM, RNCM, RCS) and decide which best fits your instrument, goals, and location preferences. Each school has different strengths, faculty, and program structures.
Apply for admission: Submit your application through the school's admissions process. For undergraduate study, this may involve UCAS Conservatoires. For postgraduate study, apply directly to the school. Deadlines typically fall in October or December of the year before entry.
Prepare your audition repertoire: Each school specifies required audition pieces. Prepare your repertoire at least 12 months in advance. Some schools allow video auditions for international applicants.
Attend the audition: Auditions take place in November and December (for autumn entry). International students who cannot travel may submit video auditions, depending on the school.
Complete the financial aid process: After receiving an offer, complete each school's financial aid form. This is where you communicate your financial need for ABRSM bursary consideration. There is no separate ABRSM application form for the Royal Schools scholarships.
Receive your scholarship offer: Scholarship decisions are typically announced in January or February following auditions. Offers are based on audition performance and financial need.
For the ABRSM International Postgraduate Scholarship: If you are an international student, contact ABRSM directly about the separate international scholarship application process. This requires a separate application in addition to your Royal School admission.

Application Video Guides

ABRSM scholarship recipient Nikita Lukinov performs a recital at St Mary's Perivale, demonstrating the level of musical excellence expected from ABRSM scholars: