Participation Bursaries — offered as part of our Access and Participation Plan — provide financial support to those living in low-income households, enabling participation in selected Short Courses by providing a full or half bursary* to cover the course costs. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of conservatoire-style training and to find out what it is like to study at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. *Please note, half bursaries are only available for on-site courses.
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full bursaries were awarded in 2022, enabling recipients to benefit from a wide range of on-site and online short courses.
Qs
The Participation Bursary Guidance (below) explains the eligibility criteria and application process, and you should read this fully to understand the eligibility, evidence needed, and for further information. Please also ensure that you check the list of eligible courses before submitting an application. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
YOU MUST
- Have no previous experience of higher education
- Be UK-domiciled
- Be aged 11+ on the start date of the course
AND meet one of the following criteria:
- Be in care or a recent care leaver*
- Live in a household which receives income assessed benefits
- Be a recipient of means tested financial support at Junior Guildhall, or a GYA/CYM centre.
- Live in a household with a residual annual income** of below £33,000 for a full bursary (all courses), and between £33,000 and £46,000 for a half bursary (on-site courses only)
*Recent Care Leaver means someone who has been in local authority care for at least 13 weeks in the last 5 years (note, these do not have to be consecutive weeks).
**Residual Household Income is income left after deductions are made for dependents. We deduct £1,130 for each dependent child in the household. Evidence will be required.
Participation Bursary 2023 - Guidance for Applicants.pdf
There are 24 courses eligible for Participation Bursaries in 2023. Please ensure that you check the below list of eligible courses before submitting an application.
There are no autumn 2022 courses eligible for Participation Bursaries.
Please note that Participation Bursaries for Acting Summer School of ages 16-17 and Acting Summer School for ages 12-15 will only be awarded to young people currently within the UK Care System, or recent Care Leavers.
Participation Bursaries 2023 - eligible courses.pdf
Applications to Short Courses for 2023 will launch at the end of November 2022. You can submit an application for a Participation Bursary anytime from 25th November 2022.
COMPLETE AN APPLICATION
Please ensure you have read the relevant guidance before applying for a Participation Bursary, and that you have checked that bursaries are available for your chosen course.
For spring short courses, you must submit an application by Monday 6 March.
For summer short courses, you must submit an application by Monday 12 June (apart for the Vocal Summer School, which has a deadline of 5 June).
Find a Short Course or Summer School that's perfect for you
Explore our full programme of Short Courses & Summer Schools
