Choral and Organ Scholarships - For undergraduate entry September 2026

The School of Theology and the Arts at St Mary’s University are offering five undergraduate musical scholarships commencing academic year 2026/27.

There are four choral scholarships and one organ scholarship. The choral scholarships offer funding for a Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. The stipend is £2,000 for three academic years.

There is one Organ scholarship, offering a stipend of £3,000 for three academic years.

St Mary’s offers a lively academic community and a warm and welcoming environment to pursue both your academic and musical passions. You may be a student who sings in a choir, or with experience leading or assisting with liturgy in your church. As a St Mary’s Choral Scholar or Organ scholar, you will have the opportunity to pursue your love of music alongside your undergraduate studies in an arts or humanities or theological discipline.

In the first instance, students applying to study on the following degree programmes will be eligible for the choral and organ scholarships: 

• BA Acting
• BA Creative Production
• BA Creative and Professional Writing
• BA English Literature
• BA Film Making
• BA Film Studies
• BA History
• BA Liberal Arts
• BA Theology, Religion and Ethics
• BA Theological Studies
• BA Theological Studies with CertHE Philosophy

As a choral scholar you will be part of expanding the musical legacy of St Mary’s, taking part in music for Sunday Mass, Carol services and outreach activities and expanding the experience of spiritual life of St Mary’s students across the University.

As an organ scholar you will be the first to play on the newly-restored organ in St Mary’s University Chapel, with an opportunity to direct the musical development of the Mass and other liturgical events as part of the expansion of musical events across the University.

How to apply

To apply for the Choral and Organ scholarship candidates should:

1. Apply to one of the programmes listed above through UCAS by the 31 January 2026.
2. Submit an application to choralandorganscholarships@stmarys.ac.uk by 18 February 2026. This application should include:
   1. A 200 word personal statement explaining your musical background, experience and motivation for becoming a choral or organ scholar.
   2. A CV including musical and academic achievements to date.
   3. Attend an audition and interview in March 2026.

Scholars will be selected on the basis of their musical ability, and their motivation to contribute to the University community.

Terms and Conditions

• To be eligible for the choral or organ scholarships, candidates must apply to study one of the courses listed above at St Mary’s no later than the 31 January 2026, firmly accept their offer no later than the 5 June 2026, and enrol on their course of study by the start of the academic term in September 2025.
• The Choral scholarship will be paid in two instalments of £1,000, in November 2026 and February 2027 of the year of enrolment on one of the courses of study listed above.
• The Organ scholarship will be paid in two instalments of £1,500, in November 2026 and February 2027 following enrolment on one of the courses of study listed above.
• Choral and Organ scholars will be expected to contribute to the spiritual and musical life of the University through performance at choral mass in the University chapel and at other recitals linked to the University’s academic calendar (such as graduation and anniversary events).
• Scholarships may be renewed for the 2027/28 academic year subject to satisfactory fulfilment of the role of choral and organ scholar, and provided the scholar satisfies the academic requirements of their course to progress into their next year of study.
• St Mary’s reserves the right not to appoint all scholarships if suitable candidates do not come forward.