Bursary Scheme
Support towards course fees for families with a lower household income
If your family’s gross household income is £40,000 per year or under, you will be eligible to apply for a bursary towards your course fee for the summer productions. The scheme works on a sliding scale so that people who are the most in need receive the most help, and the upper end is discretionary depending on the funds we have available in any one year. Please note that the Bursary Scheme is only for those who have successfully auditioned and have been offered a place on one of our productions, and are not for any other courses.
“Thanks to the bursary scheme, I was given a chance that I would never have been able to partake in due to financial circumstances and I wish that many other young people will be able to have this experience, especially if they have a passion for the performing arts.” (Tarique, 16, from Birmingham, performed in A Teenage Opera) READ ABOUT TARIQUE'S EXPERIENCE ON THE BLOG
How much help can I get?
Our bursaries are means-tested and you can receive between 10% and 95% assistance with your production course fees. It is important to note that we raise the money for the Bursary Scheme each year, so the amount available is different every season and nothing can be guaranteed beforehand. If you are fortunate enough to receive a bursary, we appreciate notes of thanks to pass on to our generous supporters.
If you would like to donate to the BYMT Bursary Scheme, please click here.
How do I apply?
Once offers of places on productions are sent out in March, you will need to complete the Bursary Application Form and the Bursary Payment Form (which will be included in your offer pack) and return them to us, along with evidence of income and your first payment, by the specified deadline. We examine each case individually to ensure we are being as fair as possible, and there is a section on the form to note down any additional details you feel may be relevant to your case. You MUST pay a deposit of at least £150 to secure your place on the course. We will then write to you to let you know whether your application has been successful and if so, how much your bursary will be. You will also receive a revised Payment Form which takes into account the amount you have already paid, as well as your bursary, and we will break the remaining balance into manageable instalments. We are very proud to state that nobody has ever been turned away from BYMT for financial reasons.
Is there any other help available if I am struggling to pay the rest of my course fee or I’m not eligible for a bursary?
YES! See our FUNDRAISING section for lots of helpful advise and resources. The first place we recommend you try is your school or college. If you need any more help, please email mail@bymt.org or call 020 8563 7725 – we’re always here to support you.
Our Bursary Scheme relies upon the generous support of the following trusts, foundations and individuals including;NASUWT, The Leverhulme Trust, Universal Music Group International; Gareth Bunn Consulting Ltd. The Sylvia and Colin Shepherd Charitable Trust The David and June Gordon Memorial Trust, Entertainment Retailers Association. In addition to the other individual supporters and BYMT parents who have kindly donated to the scheme. We are incredibly grateful to them all.
“Receiving a bursary has allowed me the opportunity to be part of an incredible experience, one that I simply wouldn’t have had without this fantastic scheme.”
Joe, participant and bursary recipient