Students who have accepted a place on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician, BA Applied and Contemporary Theatre, BA Musical Theatre, and BA Theatre Production programmes will be eligible to apply for one of six scholarships to the value of £3,000 per year for the 3 years of their undergraduate training at GSA. 

Students joining our one-year CertHE programmes in Acting and Musical Theatre will also be eligible to apply for one of four £2,000 scholarships.

These scholarships are to support students from underrepresented groups to study and train at GSA, to attract and retain the very best talent, and in so doing support and nurture emerging artists from all walks of life.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be UK/Home students who have accepted a place on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician, BA Applied and Contemporary Theatre, BA Musical Theatre, BA Theatre Production, CertHE Foundation Acting or CertHE Foundation Musical Theatres programmes at GSA for the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Applicants must fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

How to apply

A call for applications will be sent out close to the beginning of the academic year; applications will be reviewed by a panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Undergraduate

Subject details: BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician, BA Applied & Contemporary, BA Musical Theatre, BA Theatre Production, CertHE Foundation Acting & CertHE Foundation Musical Theatre

Fee Status: Home

Award Type: Bursary

 

 

Students who have accepted a place on the BA Musical Theatre programme will be eligible to apply for this bursary of £2,000 awarded for their first year at GSA. Bursaries are awarded on a combined basis of merit and need. This Scholarship is funded by Stephen Barlow and Julian Woolford.

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be UK/Home students who have accepted a place on the BA Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre or BA Theatre Production programmes at GSA for the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Applicants must fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background

Applicants will also be invited to submit a supporting statement; shortlisted applicants will be invited to audition.

Students who have accepted a place on the BA Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre and BA Theatre Production programmes will be eligible to apply for one of two ATG Scholarships each worth £5,000. Scholarships are awarded on a combined basis of merit and need. This Scholarship is funded by the Ambassador Theatre Group; further details on the Foundation’s work may be found here: https://www.atg.co.uk.

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be UK/Home students who have accepted a place on the BA Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre or BA Theatre Production programmes at GSA for the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Applicants must fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

Shortlisted applicants will be further assessed on their performance in an audition or interview with the awarding panel.

How to apply

A call for applications will be sent out close to the beginning of the academic year and shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview/audition with a selection panel. 

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Undergraduate

Subject details: BA Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre, BA Theatre Production.

Fee Status: Home

Award Type: Scholarship

Students enrolled on all programmes at GSA may apply for one of 20 £1,000 bursaries for the 2023-24 academic year. Bursaries are awarded to applicants on the basis of need, widening participation criteria and personal statement.  These Bursaries are funded by the Doris and Hilda Farmer Charitable Trust.

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be students (including UK/EU and International) enrolled on a programme of study at GSA for the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Applicants must fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

How to apply

A call for applications will be sent out close to the beginning of the academic year; applications will be reviewed by a panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: CertHE, Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Subject details: All GSA subject areas

Fee Status: Home/EU/International

Award Type: Bursary

Future Generation has offered an accommodation bursary (equivalent in value to around £11,000) to one GSA student.

The bursary provides up to 51 weeks of free accommodation in one of their en-suite rooms in their Stoke Park development Guilden Village, Guildford, details of which can be seen here: Guilden Village | Future Generation. The accommodation period runs from 16th September 2023 through to the end of August 2024 as a maximum, (allowing for the room to be vacant for one week for change over at the end of the period ready for the next bursary).

This bursary is available to a student enrolled on a Postgraduate programme on campus at GSA for the 2023-24 academic year, who meets certain eligibility criteria (see below). To apply for this bursary please complete the application form via this link GSA Future Generations Accommodation Bursary Application.

You will be required to complete a supporting statement of up to 300 words outlining how this bursary would benefit you. Please ensure that you consider this carefully as it will be used in the assessment process.

Applications will close at 09:00 on Monday 14 August and we hope to confirm the successful applicant by Friday 25 August.

 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the bursary, you must be a UK/Home domiciled student who has been offered a place on a Postgraduate programme of study on campus at GSA for the 2023-24 academic year. Your application will be assessed on the criteria listed below, along with the strength of your supporting statement.

Applicants in receipt of another GSA scholarship or bursary for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for this bursary. 

Applicants should fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories: 

  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 * 
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 ** 
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years) 
  • Estranged students (estranged from BOTH parents)
  • Care Experienced students 
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support) 
  • Students with a disability 
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background From a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker 

*You can check your postcode's IMD score using this online lookup tool. To be eligible, your postcode needs a 1-2 in column F.

**You can check whether you live in a Low Participation Neighbourhood by using our online postcode lookup tool. To be eligible, your postcode must be Quintile 1 against POLAR 4 (see table on map).

Please note: UK/Home students must state their home address as verified by Student Finance England (SFE), prior to commencing your university programme.

Priority will be given to the following:

  • Applicants who identify as LGBTQi+
  • Applicants estranged from their family
  • Registered carers for any member of their family

 

Apply here: GSA Future Generations Accommodation Bursary Application.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Postgraduate

Eligible subjects: MA/MFA Acting, MA/MFA Musical Theatre and MA Stage & Production Management programmes

Fee Status: Home/EU/International

Award Type: Bursary

 

The Ella Balinska Scholarship is an award of £2,000 to a first-year student on the BA Acting programme from the Global Majority. Applicants will be invited to express an interest in being considered for the Scholarship prior to the start of their course. If you have any queries, please email gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

This Scholarship is offered by GSA graduate, Ella Balinska and is intended to provide support and an affirmation of the student’s right to immerse in actor training as an individual and is designed to offer time for self-reflection, research and deepening understanding of cultural identity and authenticity in relation to training and their craft.

“I hope that this scholarship will be a part of enabling students of the Global Majority to thrive in authenticity. I hope it encourages other students to broaden their knowledge and embrace their cultural influence throughout their training and into their career. Finding our truth as artists starts by having the opportunity to look at ourselves. Through a deeper level of understanding, we can tell real, meaningful stories and honestly reflect the world we live in. As a result, I hope this inspires generations of talent to come; seeing themselves represented throughout the industry." -  Ella Balinska.

Students enrolled on all programmes at GSA may apply for one of 10 £1,000 bursaries for the 2023-24 academic year. Bursaries are awarded to applicants on the basis of need, widening participation criteria and personal statement.  These Bursaries are funded by the Mary Woolfe Charitable Trust.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be students (including UK/EU and International) enrolled on a programme of study at GSA for the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Applicants must fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

How to apply

A call for applications will be sent out close to the beginning of the academic year; applications will be reviewed by a panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: CertHE, Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Subject details: All GSA subject areas

Fee Status: Home/EU/International

Award Type: Bursary

 

Students who have accepted a place on the MA Musical Theatre programme or MFA Musical Theatre programme, entering their first year of study in 2023-24, will be invited to apply for a Bursary of £1,000 for the 2023-24 academic year. 

Bursaries are awarded on a combined basis of merit and need. This bursary is funded in memory of Ray Cook, musical director, composer, conductor, pianist and arranger for many years in numerous West End shows and composer of several notable film scores.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

Students who have accepted a place on the MA or MFA Musical Theatre programme will be eligible to apply. Applications will be assessed and prioritised on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be UK/Home students entering their first year on the MA Musical Theatre or MFA Musical Theatre programme for the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Applicants must fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

How to apply:

A call for applications will be sent out close to the beginning of the academic year; applications will be reviewed by a panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Postgraduate

Subject details: MA/MFA Musical Theatre

Fee Status: Home

Award Type: Bursary

GSA students in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre programmes will be eligible to apply for a South Square Trust Scholarship. Several scholarships are awarded on a combined basis of merit and need.  These Scholarships are funded by the South Square Trust; further details on the work of the SST may be found here: www.southsquaretrust.org.uk

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be UK/home-domiciled students enrolled in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre, programmes in the 2022-23 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Priority will be given to applicants who fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

All applicants will be further assessed on their performance in an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

How to apply:

First and second year students will be invited to apply and will be sent full details in the spring of the current academic year. Applicants will be invited to attend an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Undergraduate

Subject details: BA Acting, Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre.

Fee Status: Home

Award Type: Scholarship

*Applications are now open for 2024-25. Current students will be sent a link to apply, applications close on 18 March.

GSA students in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre programmes will be eligible to apply for a McGrath Charitable Trust Scholarship. Several scholarships are awarded to applicants on a combined basis of merit and need. These Scholarships are funded by the McGrath Charitable Trust; further details on the work of the McGrath Charitable Trust may be found here: https://www.themcgrathcharitabletrust.co.uk/

Eligibility Criteria:

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be students (including UK/EU and International) enrolled in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre, programmes in the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year, may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Priority will be given to applicants who fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

All applicants will be further assessed on their performance in an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

How to apply:

First and second year students will be invited to apply and will be sent full details in the spring of the current academic year. Applicants will be invited to attend an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Undergraduate

Subject details: BA Acting, Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre.

Fee Status: Home/EU/International

Award Type: Scholarship

*Applications are now open for 2024-25. Current students will be sent a link to apply, applications close on 18 March.

GSA students in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre programmes will be eligible to apply for a Redgrave Foundation Scholarship. Several scholarships are awarded to applicants on a combined basis of merit and need. These Scholarships are funded by the Sir Michael Redgrave Foundation.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be students (including UK/EU and International) enrolled in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre, programmes in the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the current academic year may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Priority will be given to applicants who fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

All applicants will be further assessed on their performance in an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

How to apply:

First and second year students will be invited to apply and will be sent full details in the spring of the current academic year. Applicants will be invited to attend an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Undergraduate

Subject details: BA Acting, Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre.

Fee Status: Home/EU/International

Award Type: Scholarship

*Applications are now open for 2024-25. Current students will be sent a link to apply, applications close on 18 March.

GSA students in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre programmes will be eligible to apply for an Ian Ricketts Student Support Fund Scholarship. One scholarship will be awarded to an applicant on a combined basis of merit and need. These Scholarships are funded by the Ian Ricketts Student Support Fund.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be students (including UK/EU and International) enrolled in their first or second year on the BA Acting, BA Actor-Musician and BA Musical Theatre, programmes in the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Applicants in receipt of another University or GSA bursary or scholarship for the current academic year may not be considered for one of these bursaries.
  • Priority will be given to applicants who fall into at least ONE of the following specific Widening Participation categories to be considered for one of the scholarships.  These groups are:
  • Areas of high Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Quintile 1 *
  • Areas of Low Participation in Higher Education (LPN) POLAR4 Quintile 1 **
  • Students from a low-income family (eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years)
  • Estranged students
  • Care Experienced students
  • Young Carers (provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who could not cope without your support)
  • Students with a disability
  • Students from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background
  • Students from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GRTSB) community Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Eligible for the 16-19 bursary

You will also be invited to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) which will be taken into account in the selection process.

All applicants will be further assessed on their performance in an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

How to apply:

First and second year students will be invited to apply and will be sent full details in the spring of the current academic year. Applicants will be invited to attend an audition and interview with the awarding panel.

Contact Details: gsascholarships@gsa.surrey.ac.uk

Level: Undergraduate

Subject details: BA Acting, Actor-Musician, BA Musical Theatre.

Fee Status: Home/EU/International

Award Type: Scholarship

 

See other financial support here.

 

Visit the University of Surrey Scholarships and Bursaries page for other available funding.