Music Scholarship

UEA awards a number of Music Scholarships every year, to new students who show exceptional musical achievement and commitment.

The scholarships are for musicians of any instrument or voice and any style or tradition – including different national traditions. They are intended to encourage recipients to develop their musical and leadership skills and contribute significantly to music at UEA. A high standard of performance is expected, but equally important is a clear commitment to take leading roles in the musical life of the University.

Application is before entry to UEA.

The awards are worth £3,000, paid across three years of study. Scholars receive £500 twice a year — in October and February — during Years 1, 2 and 3, with payments made directly into their nominated bank account.

The holder is expected to use this money to develop their musical skills and to devote at least part of it to taking lessons for their instrument or voice.

To find out how previous Music Scholars have benefited from their scholarships, please visit our previous Music Centre Award holders and Scholars profiles.

Requirements

No qualifications need to have been taken. A high standard of performance can be demonstrated at audition. In the case of a musician performing in a style or tradition without a formal method of assessment this is particularly important. For those used to the graded exam system it may be useful to say that a performing standard of Grade 8 and above is a benchmark. Neither Grade 8 nor any other exam need either have been taken or passed.

Please note that Music Scholarships are for incoming Undergraduates only. If you are a current Undergraduate student or a Postgraduate student, you are very welcome to apply for our Music Centre Awards.

The application process has three main parts:

1. You will need to submit an online application form and provide details about your current and previous musical activities. We will ask you to outline your life so far as a musician, to tell us about some of your most exciting musical experiences and impressive musical achievements. We will ask you to think about how you might continue your musical activities at UEA (e.g. what from your research about the university has particularly caught your eye, what in your current musical life would you like to bring with you). We will also ask what you think are the special qualities that would make you a good award holder (e.g. your excellent leadership skills perhaps, or your ability to listen and find solutions to problems) and we will ask for examples of projects and work you have already done which show your special qualities. Please note that your commitment to contribute to musical life and ability to be specific about how you intend to do this will be extremely important in our decision making. The application deadline for the 2027 entry Music Scholarships is 11pm on Wednesday 5 May 2027.

2. You must submit a video recording of yourself performing music. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube as unlisted and submitted via link to: musicevents@uea.ac.uk.

   The video should include three contrasting performances, with a total duration of no more than 10 minutes:

   • Two pieces that best demonstrate your musical ability (accompanied or unaccompanied)
   • One short unaccompanied study or folk song

   Recording requirements

   • Recordings do not need to be professionally produced, but both the audio and video quality must be clear enough for assessment purposes. We will consider musical shape, technical ability, dynamic and tonal variety, intonation, clarity, communication, and interaction with any accompanist.
   • All recordings must be single, unedited takes with no cuts or post-production edits, and should ideally be recorded specifically for these auditions. If you submit existing recordings, please include the title, composer and recording date for each piece.
   • You must remain clearly visible throughout the recording. Poor-quality recordings or unclear identification may result in your application not being considered.
   • If accompaniment is required but unavailable, you may perform unaccompanied and should count rests where appropriate.

   Guidance for composers

   • Composers should submit performances of their own works wherever possible, alongside scores.
   • Applicants working primarily in sound-based composition (for example singer-songwriters or producers) should submit three recordings representing their work. Those specialising in production or electronic music should also include brief notes outlining the intention behind each piece.
   • Singer-songwriters are considered hybrid performer-composers and should submit:
   o Two original songs with written lyrics
   o One additional unaccompanied traditional or folk song (or similar)
   • Applicants composing primarily in notation should submit scores for three works and, where possible, recordings of live performances. If live recordings are unavailable, computer-generated audio (such as Sibelius playback) is acceptable, provided it accurately reflects balance and musical detail. Vocal works may omit sung text if necessary.
   • The panel will assess up to 10 minutes of music across three works. You may indicate preferred excerpts; otherwise, selections will be made by the panel.

   Submission deadline

   The video submissions deadline for the 2027 Music Scholarships is 11pm on Wednesday 5 May 2027.

3. If your application is successful, you will then be invited to a short web-based interview with the Director of Music and the Choir Director, where your musical achievements and plans for further progress will be discussed, along with your ideas for contributing to the musical life of the University. Interview dates for the 2027 entry Music Scholarships are Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May 2027. If you are unavailable for either interview date, please email musicevents@uea.ac.uk to discuss alternative arrangements.

If you have any questions about the scholarships, please email musicevents@uea.ac.uk.

Scholarship holders are expected to make a significant contribution to the musical life of the University. For most students, this will involve performing as a committed and leading member of University ensembles relevant to their instrument or voice, while encouraging and supporting fellow musicians.

We welcome musicians from all styles and traditions. Where no suitable ensemble exists, scholars will be expected to contribute in other meaningful ways — for example by forming new ensembles, organising concerts, supporting the running of existing groups as a committee member, performing at University events, or offering solo and chamber music performances.

All Music Scholars will be expected to perform in at least one lunchtime concert each year and may also be asked to assist with organisational or administrative tasks where appropriate.

The University reserves the right to withdraw a Scholarship immediately if a scholar fails to make a substantial contribution to musical life at UEA.

For full Undergraduate Scholarship Terms and Conditions — including information relating to placement years, years in industry, and periods of study abroad — please refer to the UEA Undergraduate Scholarship Terms and Conditions.