Scholarships and bursaries

• About our scholarships

  Our scholarships provide students with free, weekly, one-to-one tuition with our outstanding team of vocal and instrumental tutors.

  There are three ways in which University of St Andrews matriculated students can obtain help with vocal and instrumental tuition costs through the Music Centre: Montfort Bursaries, scholarships, and the Hebdomadar's Music Fund.

  The Montfort Bursaries, and some scholarships for choral singers and organists, can be awarded prior to the start of the academic year. In most cases, Montfort Bursaries will be awarded to students when they have received an offer to study.

  All other scholarships are awarded at the beginning of the academic year following competitive auditions at the start of the semester. They are open to any current student at the University. The Hebdomadar’s Music Fund does not have an audition process and is based on individual circumstances.

  Scholarships are awarded each academic year for the academic year, with the exception of Montfort Bursaries and St Salvator’s Chapel Choir scholarships. If you have already auditioned unsuccessfully in a previous year, you are welcome to audition again for a new academic year. Last year’s scholars are required to audition again, and are not automatically awarded another scholarship.

  All scholarship holders are required to join the Music Centre and observe the Terms and conditions for Music Centre scholarships and bursaries.

  Please direct any questions about music bursaries, scholarships and awards to us at musicadmissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

• Our scholarship ensembles

  Our scholars also receive a place in one or more of our scholarship ensembles.

  St Salvator's Chapel Choir is the University's flagship choir and one of of the most prestigious musical opportunities available at St Andrews. The Choir offers choral and organ scholars regular performance opportunities, masterclasses and international tours, in addition to singing three weekly services. It also makes highly acclaimed recordings on its own internationally distributed label.

  Instrumental scholars usually enjoy a place in the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra, which comprises around 50 of the best instrumental students at the University. The Orchestra performs two regular concerts per year, but also collaborates with other groups on large-scale projects. A recent highlight was a tour to both sides of the Irish border.

• Vocal scholarships

  Vocal scholarships are open to all undergraduate students and offer free tuition and performance opportunities in classical music, musical theatre, and pop. Though formal musical qualifications are not a condition for applying, we would normally expect candidates to be of a standard at least ABRSM Grade 8 in classical or music theatre repertoire.

  Successful applicants will be expected to attend lessons punctually and reliably and to devote time to private practice, as guided by their teacher. Scholars will also be expected to become fully involved in the musical life of the University, for example, by performing in appropriate Music Centre ensembles.

  Each scholar will be expected to perform at least once during the academic year in a Music Centre performance,under the guidance of the Head of Vocal Studies, Jonathan May. Auditions are held during Orientation Week.

  The scholarships cover the cost of a full year's singing tuition at the Music Centre. and all scholarship holders are required to join the Music Centre.

  St Salvator's Chapel Choir

  A choral scholarship with St Salvator's Chapel Choir is one of the most prestigious musical opportunities available at the University of St Andrews. Every member of the choir holds a scholarship and is required to sing in two or three services every week during teaching time. The choir also sings at graduations, tours internationally, records CDs, makes radio and TV broadcasts, and works with eminent musicians such as Dame Emma Kirkby and Peter Harvey.

  The scholarship covers the full cost of singing tuition at the Music Centre, free participation in the annual choir tour, and Sunday lunch.

  St Leonard's Chapel Choir

  A number of scholarships are available for members of St Leonard's Chapel Choir. These cover the full cost of singing tuition at the Music Centre.

  The Renaissance Singers

  The Renaissance Singers award up to three scholarships per year, one specifically for a tenor plus two others. Students should be experienced choral singers with some sight-reading ability. 

  A suitable member of the choir will also be appointed as assistant conductor. This will include some hands-on experience each week, the possibility of directing part of a performance, and weekly mentoring. For further details and to apply, please email Director, Gillian Craig, at gc5@st-andrews.ac.uk.

  Vocal scholarship holders are required to:

  • sing in weekly rehearsals on Tuesday evenings during semester
  • perform concerts and evensong performances in St Salvator's Chapel and in venues around Scotland
  • attend occasional tours in the UK and Europe
  • take an active part in the running of the choir
  • join the Music Centre

• Instrumental scholarships

  Instrumental scholarships are offered as either individual or ensemble scholarships. All provide free, weekly lessons, ensemble coaching, regular performance opportunities, and the chance to perform in masterclasses

  They pay the full cost of weekly half-hour, or one hour in some cases, instrumental lessons, in addition to ensemble coaching, for the academic year. Though formal musical qualifications are not a condition for applying, we would normally expect candidates to be of a standard of at least ABRSM Grade 8. Scholars are expected to attend lessons punctually and reliably and to devote time to private practice, as guided by their teacher.

  Scholars will also be expected to become fully involved in the musical life of the University, for example, by playing in Music Centre ensembles, such as the jazz ensemble, saxophone quartet, wind quintet, string quartets and brass ensemble. Each scholar will be expected to perform at least once during the year in a Music Centre concert, under the guidance of the Director of Music.

  Piano scholarships

  Up to four piano scholarships are available, each of which provide free weekly lessons, rehearsal, performance and production accompaniment opportunities, recitals and masterclasses, and include two Christina Kennedy Piano Scholarships that provide one hour of tuition per week. Piano scholars have solo performance opportunities in masterclasses and concerts. As well as working on solo repertoire, all piano scholars are expected to undertake regular accompanying duties. The extent of these duties may vary depending on experience, but is likely to include accompanying other students in lessons, rehearsals and performances. The maximum regular contact time per week is two and a half hours. Accompanying is overseen by the Head of Instrumental Studies, Bede Williams.

  Organ scholarships

  Up to three organ scholarships are awarded each year. Organ scholars accompany either St Leonard's or St Salvator's Chapel Choir, and offer extensive accompaniment and solo performance opportunities as well as weekly one-to-one lessons. The scholarships cover organ tuition with the University Organist Tom Wilkinson and Honorary Professor of Organ Henry Fairs, masterclasses with leading organists, and participation in international organ academies.

  Brass ensemble scholarships

  A number of brass scholarships will be awarded to students who will make up the Music Centre’s brass quartet and quintet. Each student will receive individual tuition and weekly coaching as part of the ensemble from Bede Williams. The groups will be expected to rehearse regularly between coaching sessions, and to be available to play at University events.

  Jazz quartet and quintet scholarships

  Students will receive lessons from an instrumental specialist and coaching as a quartet or quintet from Richard Michael. Students with little or no experience in improvisation are welcome to apply, though scholarship recipients will normally be those with some experience in jazz improvisation. String, wind, brass, keyboard, guitar and percussion players are welcome to apply.

  Saxophone quartet scholarships

  Up to four saxophone scholarships will be awarded to students who will make up the Music Centre’s saxophone quartet.  Each student will receive individual tuition and weekly coaching as part of the quartet from Cat Evison. The quartet will be expected to rehearse regularly between coaching sessions, to participate in the Saxophone Ensemble, and to be available to play at University events.

  String quartet scholarships

  As a result of a generous bequest from the estate of Hetty Buchanan, a cellist who was deeply involved in music in St Andrews throughout her life, we are able to offer scholarships to string players who will make up the Hetty Buchanan String Quartet, as well as one or two other quartets if suitable candidates present themselves. Each student will receive individual tuition from an appropriate teacher, regular coaching as part of the quartet from our Associate Teachers, and occasional coaching from Lucy Russell, Honorary Professor of Strings and leader of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet. The quartets will be expected to rehearse regularly between coaching sessions, and to be available to play at University events.

  Wind quintet scholarships

  Up to five wind scholarships (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn) will be awarded to students who will make up the Music Centre’s wind quintet. Each student will receive individual tuition, and weekly coaching as part of the quintet from Alex South and from other visiting tutors including members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The quintet will be expected to rehearse regularly between coaching sessions, and to be available to play at University events.

  Scholarship holders are required to join the Music Centre.

• Hebdomadar's Music Fund

  Hebdomadar's Music Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need, following a confidential assessment by the Director of Music and Director of Student Services. The awards pay half the cost of weekly half-hour instrumental or vocal lessons throughout the academic year: the student must pay the balance themselves. There is no audition for these awards: applicants should either complete an online application form or contact Lewis Reid, Access and Inclusion Adviser for Student Services at ljr26@st-andrews.ac.uk for a confidential discussion.

  The deadine for applications is 4pm on the Tuesday of Week 1. 

  The Hebdomadar's Music Fund is supported by a number of individuals and groups, including the Kate Kennedy Club.

• Musical opportunities

  Musicians at the University of St Andrews enjoy many other musical opportunities.

  Vocal scholars regularly feature in productions by Byre Opera, including, in collaboration with the Music Centre, an annual production. Their most recent production was Sondheim’s Side by Side. In 2025, they will present Frank Martin’s Le vin herbé.

  The student-led Music Society encompasses six groups, including a Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir.

  The Musical Theatre Society also stages three productions per semester. Recent highlights include Grease, Jekyll and Hyde and Little Shop of Horrors.

  The many other musical societies include the venerable Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the A Cappella Society and JazzWorks.