The School of Liberal and Creative Arts and the School of Theology at St Mary’s University, Twickenham (SMU) have announced five undergraduate musical scholarships for the academic year 2025/26.
This includes four choral scholarships, one each for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass which offer a stipend of £2,000 for one academic year.
There is one Organ scholarship, offering a stipend of £3,000 for one academic year.
As a St Mary’s Choral Scholar or Organ scholar, students will have the opportunity to pursue a love of music alongside their undergraduate studies in an arts, humanities, or theological disciplines.
Speaking on the launch of these scholarships, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Theology and the Arts Kim Salmons said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for young scholars to musically enhance their undergraduate studies. These scholarships show the commitment that St Mary's has to promoting the arts, and is aligned with our ethos of developing the whole student”.
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.
Choral scholars will be part of expanding the musical legacy of St Mary’s, taking part in music for Sunday Mass, Carol services and outreach activities. They will also expand the experience of spiritual life of St Mary’s students across the University.
Organ scholars will be the first to play on the newly-restored organ in the 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.
Scholarships may be renewed for the 2026/27 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.
Those interested in the scholarships need to have applied to one of the programmes listed above through UCAS by the 29th January 2025.
Scholars will be selected on the basis of their musical ability, and their motivation to contribute to the University community.
Find out more about the full Choral and Organ scholarship application process.