Participation Bursaries

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 between the ages of 11-19 on the start date of the course

AND meet one of the following criteria:

1. Be in care or a recent care leaver*
2. Live in a household which receives income assessed benefits
3. Be a recipient of means tested financial support at Junior Guildhall, or a GYA/CYM centre.
4. 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.

The courses that are eligible for a Participation Bursary are outlined in the table below. 

Applications to apply for a Participation Bursary for Spring and Summer Courses in 2026 are now open. You can apply using this form here.

The deadlines to apply for a Participation Bursary are:

Monday 2nd March – Spring Courses

Monday 27th April - Summer Courses 

Composition Summer Course for Ages 14-21 and Harp Intensive for Ages 9-15  require participants to complete an application form before being accepted onto the course (See webpages for individual courses). 

Applications are reviewed every few weeks by the lead tutors for these courses, who then confirm whether the applicant is of the correct level of the course or not. More information on the application process can be found on the courses webpage. 

Participation Bursary applicants, who are at the required level, will then be asked to complete a form for a participation bursary. As there are limited bursaries available for these courses, acceptance onto the course does not guarantee a participation bursary will be given.