Leeds Conservatoire has been awarded increased funding from the Leverhulme Trust and the Wolfson Foundation, to support students on several pathways, and is grateful for their continued generosity.
With a range of scholarships and bursaries available, and no audition fees, the institution is committed to making conservatoire education accessible to all.
How the Increased Leverhulme Trust Funding Will Help
Funding from the Leverhulme Trust for 2025-28 will be split between scholarships for undergraduates studying BA (Hons) Music (Jazz), BA (Hons) Music (Folk, Roots & Blues) and BA (Hons) Music (Production), and provision for Leeds Junior Conservatoire (LJC).
For the undergraduate scholarships, they have awarded £236,250 over three years; an increase of £37,944. For LJC, they have awarded £144,068; a £44,762 uplift.
- BA (Hons) Music (Jazz) - one scholarship of £10,000 per year for each year of study:
This funding will enable a student of exceptional talent and promise to study with us for free, and become a forward-thinking, creative artist grounded in the tradition but with a hunger to take music to new dimensions. Our course was the first Jazz degree to be established in Europe and we’ve become a leading authority and centre for excellence in Jazz across the UK and in Europe.
- BA (Hons) Music (Folk, Roots & Blues) - one scholarship of £5,000 per year for each year of study:
This funding will enable a student of exceptional talent and promise to study with us at a significantly reduced cost, on a highly unique and original degree offering which teaches traditional music through music, stories, and traditions from the UK and beyond.
- BA (Hons) Music (Production) - two scholarships (for female-identifying students) of £5,000 per year for each year of study:
This funding will support two female-identifying students to gain the skills and experience to become a sophisticated music producer; historically a male-dominated discipline.
To help address this gender imbalance, Leeds Conservatoire established a Female Production Society enabling female-identifying first year students to get in the studio with other female-identifying third years and learn about production in a more comfortable environment. Several female-identifying participants have commented on the supportive nature of the course and the positive environment created.
- Leeds Junior Conservatoire (LJC):
This funding will cover tuition costs for a number of LJC students, as well as extra costs for bespoke one-on-one mentoring to enhance student development and support more effectively where need is identified.
LJC provides high-quality ensemble, performance, musicianship and composition training to develop the talents of enthusiastic young artists (aged 8 to 18) each year. LJC offers a diverse programme incorporating all musical genres; identifying potential, providing young people with the skills and vocational training required to be a professional artist and enabling access into sustainable support routes for further training, education or employment.
How the Increased Wolfson Funding Will Help
The Wolfson Foundation has awarded enhanced funding of £40,000 per year (£120,000 overall for 2025-28); a £10,000 yearly increase. This funding will be split between LJC provision and the Instrument Fund that supports eligible undergraduate students to buy new instruments.
“I began learning piano at the age of six when a teacher gave me an old keyboard as a result of me having to give up other hobbies as a result of my diagnosis with arthritis. From this point on, I discovered that music was the way for me to be able to express myself and I immediately knew it was something I wanted to pursue a career in.”
- Former LJC student who joined on a Wolfson bursary aged 15. They progressed to the conservatoire’s undergraduate BA (Hons) Music (Film Music) course, achieved a first-class degree, plus the highest mark on their pathway.
“As a third year Songwriting student, I was required to submit a 30-minute portfolio of industry-standard compositions. Each of my songs used this guitar in some form, I progressed over the year from using it in a conventional-acoustic style to warping audio recordings to create more electronic beats. My portfolio centred around my transition from female to male. The creation of this was therapeutic and has inspired me to progress onto research projects on the benefits of Music Therapy. Soon, I aim to go into a therapy-based career.”
- Former BA (Hons) Music (Songwriting) student supported by the Instrument Fund. They too went on to achieve a first-class degree and the highest mark on their course.
Examples of Other Scholarships and Bursaries
The Alan Hawkshaw Foundation Scholarship
Alan Hawkshaw was a successful composer of television and film scores. The Alan Hawkshaw Foundation was established to put investment back into the industry by supporting gifted musicians and provide young musicians with opportunities they would otherwise not have access to. Two scholarships of £1,500 each, per year of study, are awarded to gifted students on the BA (Hons) Music (Classical) programme, with priority for students who play a rarer instrument and from low income backgrounds.
The Reuben Vincent Trombone Scholarship
Reuben Vincent was an accomplished jazz trombonist who played professionally. His wife Carole has endowed the conservatoire with the Reuben Vincent Trombone Scholarship for trombone students. Two scholarships of £2,500 each are awarded during year one of study, either allowing the trombonist to buy a new instrument, or to support them financially throughout their studies.
The Abrahart Scholarships
Generous support from Duncan Abrahart, a Leeds Conservatoire graduate and previous Students’ Union president, has made it possible to offer two annual scholarships of £1,500 to deserving undergraduate students, preferably from low income households:
- The Natasha Abrahart Performer Scholarship pays £1,500 to a student in year one of study playing wind, brass or percussion.
- The Latham Abrahart Composition Scholarship pays £1,500 to a second or third year Classical composition student.
