Help Musicians UK is a British charity that provides financial support to musicians for postgraduate study at UK conservatoires. It administers four distinct award programs: Postgraduate Awards for instrumentalists (£1,000 to £5,000), the Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Awards for musical theatre students, the Sybil Tutton Awards for vocalists, and the Mendelssohn Scholarship for composers (£7,000). Auditions for the 2026 cycle are scheduled for April 7 to 17, 2026 at various London venues.
Application Details
Help Musicians runs four separate study support programs. Each has different eligibility requirements and audition processes.
Postgraduate Awards (Instrumentalists)
- Award amount: £1,000 to £5,000 towards postgraduate course costs and living expenses
- Eligibility: Must be 18 or over, have the legal right to live and work in the UK, currently live in the UK, have lived and studied in the UK for at least 3 years, and not have more than £10,000 in savings
- Eligible institutions: Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Leeds Conservatoire, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal College of Music, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Mountview Academy (musical directors only), National Opera Studios (repetiteurs only)
- Ineligible: Undergraduate courses, PhDs, MPhil, DMus, Doctorates, composition, music technology, music education, music therapy, arts administration, music business degrees
- Auditions: April 7 to 17, 2026 at London venues (schedule varies by instrument family)
- Restriction: Cannot have received Help Musicians support within the last 2 years
Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Awards
- For postgraduate musical theatre students or final-year undergraduate students at eligible UK conservatoires
- Shortlisted applicants audition in person
Sybil Tutton Awards
- For postgraduate vocal studies at eligible UK conservatoires
- Vocal performance students must apply through this program rather than the Postgraduate Awards
- Shortlisted applicants audition in person
The Mendelssohn Scholarship
- Award amount: £7,000 towards advanced composition study
- Eligibility: Generally for postgraduate students, but final-year undergraduates may also be considered
- 2026 change: The shortlisting process is now based on nominations from the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, or Guildhall School of Music and Dance. Direct applications from musicians are no longer accepted.
Main Benefits
- Awards of £1,000 to £7,000 depending on the program
- Open to instrumentalists, vocalists, musical theatre performers, and composers
- Covers both tuition and living costs for postgraduate study
- Auditions held at prestigious London conservatoire venues
- Help Musicians is the UK's largest music charity, with over 100 years of history supporting musicians
- The £10,000 savings threshold has exceptions for tax bills, home purchases, medical equipment, care home fees, and music education savings
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
- You must be a UK resident with the legal right to work in the UK and at least 3 years of UK study history. International students on student visas are not eligible.
- The £10,000 savings cap is strict. If your savings exceed this (with limited exceptions), you cannot apply.
- Postgraduate Awards exclude vocalists, who must apply separately through the Sybil Tutton Awards. This is easy to miss.
- The Mendelssohn Scholarship no longer accepts direct applications as of 2026. You must be nominated by your institution.
- Ineligible degree types include composition, music technology, music education, music therapy, arts administration, and music business. Only performance degrees qualify.
- You cannot have received Help Musicians support in the past 2 years.
- Auditions are in person in London. If you live outside London, you must travel at your own expense.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Help Musicians UK is one of the most significant sources of postgraduate funding for musicians in the UK. The Postgraduate Awards alone can provide up to £5,000, which can cover a meaningful portion of tuition at a UK conservatoire where postgraduate fees typically range from £10,000 to £30,000.
If you are planning to pursue a postgraduate performance degree (MMus, MA, PGDip, or Artist Diploma) at one of the eligible conservatoires, apply early. The audition process is competitive, and the April 2026 dates mean you need to prepare your audition repertoire months in advance.
For jazz musicians, Help Musicians also administers the separate Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, which provides £5,000 towards career development.
Check the Help Musicians study support page for the most current deadlines and application forms.
Past Recipients
Help Musicians publishes past awardees on its official website. The Postgraduate Awards have supported musicians since 1921. Notable past recipients include:
Postgraduate Awards (Instrumentalists)
- Alison Balsom OBE (trumpeter): One of the most prominent classical trumpet players in the UK. Has performed with major orchestras and released multiple chart-topping albums.
- Dame Evelyn Glennie (percussionist): Now President of Help Musicians. A virtuoso solo percussionist who was a beneficiary of the charity herself before becoming its most prominent ambassador.
- Clio Gould (violinist): Former leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. First woman to lead a London orchestra.
- Guy Johnston (cellist): Won BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2000. Active soloist and chamber musician.
- Tasmin Little OBE (violinist): Help Musicians Ambassador. One of the foremost British violinists of her generation. Retired from performing in 2020.
- Miloš Karadaglic (guitarist): Montenegrin-born classical guitarist. Signed to Deutsche Grammophon. International solo career.
Sybil Tutton Awards (Vocalists)
Previous winners include:
- Christopher Maltman (baritone): International opera career. Performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, and Bavarian State Opera.
- Alfie Boe (tenor): Crossover classical and musical theatre performer. Sold millions of albums. Performed in Les Miserables.
- Ed Lyon (tenor): Opera and concert performer. Active across European opera houses.
- Kate Royal (soprano): Soprano with a major recording and performing career.
- Katherine Broderick (soprano): Opera singer. Won the Kathleen Ferrier Award.
- Karen Cargill (mezzo-soprano): Scottish mezzo-soprano. Performs with major opera companies worldwide.
The Mendelssohn Scholarship (Composers)
The scholarship has been awarded since 1856. Recent recipients include:
- 2020: Angela Slater
- 2021: Hugo Bell
- 2022: Amelia Clarkson
- 2023: Jasper Dommett
- 2024: Mingdu Li
- 2025: Po Hang Yuen (with a special award to Holly Gowland)
Help Musicians reported a record number of supported musicians in its most recent Postgraduate Awards cycle. The charity has been making financial awards to conservatoire students since 1921.
Related Opportunities
- ABRSM Scholarships for musicians studying in the UK
- DAAD Study Scholarships for studying music in Germany
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program for international students studying in the US
- Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
- Performing Rights Organizations Directory to understand how UK PROs like PRS for Music support musicians
- Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your earnings as a performing musician
