Financial aid for Arts Students in the UK

The UK is a popular destination among Indian students who want to study the creative arts. UK universities are especially popular for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fine arts and music. As the international fee is on the higher side compared to the domestic fee, it might be worth finding out what are the scholarships and financial aid available to you at the universities you are applying to- this will ease the financial burden on you by providing partial or full tuition fee coverage.

Here are some scholarships you could apply to:

University of Birmingham
Those of you enrolling at the University of Birmingham can apply to the scholarships offered by the Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT). These scholarships are aimed at encouraging entry-level and mid-level Indian professionals to take up higher study in the UK and enhance their careers. Areas of focus include arts, heritage conservation and humanities.

CWIT offers 10 Long Term Awards in the Arts and Heritage Conservation  to practitioners who want to gain international exposure and study in the UK. The awards are usually for a maximum of one year of study and cover accommodation and living costs in the UK, tuition fees and a contribution to international fares.
CWIT also provides grants to Indian students towards completing their doctoral study at UK universities. Three to four grants valued at £1000 each are given in a year to Indian students in their final year of doctoral study in the performing and creative arts.

For more details, visit the British Council India website.

The University of Birmingham also offers International Postgraduate Scholarships worth £10,000 every year, towards the cost of tuition fees for a one year master’s course. Given the high demand and competition for these scholarships, only applicants with excellent academic background, outstanding achievements in extra curricular activities, and a first class bachelor’s degree are considered.

Royal Academy of Music, University of London

The Academy offers postgraduate international students scholarship and bursary support based on both merit and financial need. Entrance Scholarships are awarded based on merit following your live audition, and bursaries are awarded to eligible students who complete a Financial Assistance form outlining their financial situation.

Cardiff University School of Music Research Studentships

The School offers a number of postgraduate studentships for PhD students. These are awarded on a competitive basis and available to students studying three year full-time courses for a doctoral award in Composition, Performance or Musicology. The scholarship fund covers tuition fees at the Home/ EU fee rate and a stipend allowance. International applicants need to fund the remainder of the course fees through another source.

University of Bristol

The Faculty of Arts at the University of Bristol offers Master’s level Postgraduate scholarships in subjects including German, Music and Theology. These scholarships, valued at £4,450, are awarded based on merit and academic excellence, to international students pursuing taught MA and research MPhil programmes at the University. Students interested in applying for these scholarships need to complete and submit separate scholarship applications forms.