There are just a few weeks before applications close for the 2026/27 LSO Conservatoire Scholarships.
The groundbreaking international programme, founded by the London Symphony Orchestra in 2023, is for exceptional musicians facing financial barriers, to support their postgraduate study at the world’s leading conservatoires.
Each academic year, 10 instrumentalists are selected to receive up to £16,000 to contribute to living and maintenance costs while studying, lasting for the duration of their course. Each scholar is matched with an LSO player who provides mentoring throughout the scholarship with a bespoke combination of lessons, coaching and career guidance.
About the Scheme
The LSO Conservatoire Scholarships programme aims to ensure that musicians from all backgrounds have access to conservatoire training and reduce barriers to entering the profession.
Such barriers include high tuition and maintenance costs. These Scholarships allow recipients to focus fully on their studies during a critical time in their education, whilst benefiting from additional support and guidance from the LSO’s esteemed musicians.
Eligibility
The programme is open to postgraduate instrumentalists of any age or nationality, who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Are facing financial barriers, with an overall family income of less than £58,500 per annum
- Have been awarded a scholarship place for a postgraduate course at one of the leading 10 conservatoires in the world*, focused on classical study of an orchestral instrument
- Have previously studied at undergraduate level at a UK conservatoire or university
*For the purposes of this programme, the LSO is using the top 10 conservatoires as ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2025:
- Royal College of Music
- Royal Academy of Music
- Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- New York University
- Juilliard School
- The Royal Danish Academy of Music
- Royal Northern College of Music
How to apply
Application deadline is 12pm (UK time) on 10 March 2026.
Anyone looking to discuss the scheme or receive guidance with their application is welcome to email Programme Manager Paul Massey at paul.massey@lso.co.uk.
