Here you will find resources on eligibility for UK student funding, which schools accept which loans and scholarships, bursaries and more.
Finances are a huge factor of vocational training, from audition fees themselves to the actual course fees, it's insane. Inevitably therefore, this side to auditions and training can be a significant point of stress. This section aims to put external information needed in one place, particularly for course funding for UK based students.
curated for you
NOTE: Obviously some places will crop up on more than one site; Make sure you read every requirement through thoroughly!
Spotlight - Fund your performing arts training and career
Spotlight has made a list of a few ways in which you could look into funding different stages of your career. It only has about 10 bursaries provided, but it is worth following up on those listed that you think could apply to you!
Something similar to Spotlight now, but it is a list from Get Into Theatre. What's good about this is you can use the filters provided to narrow down applicable scholarships, awards and bursaries. There is also a more extensive list and the emphasis is on training.
National Youth Arts Trust - Bursaries
A bursary up to £1000 and therefore could be more useful for part-time courses and funding your own classes. Again worth a look at for some of you.
Daniel Hallissey - Funding support
Another great list to look at! Read through carefully however as some are less to do with Musical Theatre/Acting. But these wider options are great if you are feeling like going in potentially another direction in the industry!
Broadway Arts Festival - Bursaries
Details on a specific bursary for those living in the postal code area (or near enough to) WR12. If that's you, take a look! As it's a locals-only bursary you may be in with a higher chance.
CSSD - Scholarships bursaries awards
List of bursaries and scholarships provided from Central School of Speech and Drama to train on their courses - so only eligible if you are going there/or want to go there!
gov.uk - Music and dance scheme
The Music and Dance Scheme could help towards certain fees in training if you are under 19 years of age. It is applicable to certain schools and Centres for Advanced Training (CATs), including Guildhall, Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban.
From what I understand, it is possible to apply for this scheme to help towards that first year of your undergraduate training if you are under 19 at the time, however this is absolutely something you would need to clarify with whichever school from the list you are applying to.
The process would be to, as stated on the website, apply directly to the school/CAT, audition, and once an offer is received then said establishment would award this to you depending on your household income.
Like I mentioned, this is a good scheme to be aware of if you are applying to a school/CAT on the list, but remember if you are awarded this, it will reduce course fees as opposed to eliminating them.
gov.uk - Dance and drama awards
You will most likely have heard of a DaDA by now, as this is usually the more applicable award for drama school training. You must be between 16-23 and have applied and been accepted by one of the 15 schools’ on the websites list. Whilst the majority of schools remain on the list each year, please always check for an updated version, as sometimes one or two places will be added/taken off.
Please also pay close attention to your eligibility, as well as looking at the other two links I have copied in for further guidance on the matter. Remember, ONLY DIPLOMAS ARE ELIGIBLE
Similarly to the Music and Dance scheme, you must be awarded the DaDA by your chosen school upon receiving an offer from them.
gov.uk - dance and drama awards guide 2024 to 2025 academic year
The DaDA guide for the past year
gov.uk - dance and drama awards application and assessment process
The DaDA application and assessment process
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation - scholarships
Another well known scholarship
UCAS - disabled students allowance dsa
UCAS disability guidance
BAFTA - UK scholarship programme
The BAFTA scholarships open every spring, usually around the end of March. Though at a first glance it appears to only be for TV and Film courses, if you are starting an Acting course at your chosen drama school you could be put forward by them. Always check if said school is on their eligibility list for whichever year you apply.
The list is a bit generic, but you can rifle through to find applicable ones!