Financial support for musicians is real, but it varies from one university and country to another. Here is a specific picture of the main areas.
- Juilliard School (USA)
About 90% of students at Juilliard receive some form of financial support. Scholarships are awarded based on artistic merit and financial need. The average grant for first-year students is around $45,910 per year. International students can apply for institutional scholarships, but they have limited access to federal aid in the United States. Admission is based on merit, and applying for a scholarship does not affect the chances of admission. [source: juilliard.edu, usnews.com]
- Berklee College of Music (USA)
International students at Berklee can apply for merit-based scholarships through the admissions process. Need-based scholarships are not available for international applicants upon admission, only for continuing students through the separate Thrive Scholarship program (application is submitted in the second semester by March 1). [source: berklee.edu]
- Royal College of Music, London (UK)
Tuition fees for international students start at £29,200 per year. The College offers ABRSM Scholarships: two for international students (one at the undergraduate level, one at the postgraduate level), each covering the full cost of tuition plus £5,000 per year for living expenses. In addition, the College awards at least three scholarships annually to encourage talented students from underrepresented ethnic groups, each covering the full cost of tuition. Scholarships are awarded based on the results of an audition without a separate application. [source: rcm.ac.uk, biggive.org]
Mozarteum University, Salzburg (Austria)
Tuition fees for 2025-2026: 726.72 euros per semester for students without a residence permit, 363.36 euros for those with a residence permit. The student union entrance fee is 25.20 euros. Studying at public Austrian conservatories remains one of the most affordable options for quality classical education in Europe. [source: i-m-i.ru with reference to the official website of the Mozarteum]
- State Conservatories in Italy and Germany
In state conservatories in Italy, tuition fees are symbolic, usually a few hundred euros per year. A similar situation exists in a number of German federal states. This makes these countries among the most affordable for classical education in Europe, although the standard of living and additional expenses need to be considered separately. [source: i-m-i.ru, edu-vienna.com]
- France
Foreign students can apply for the Centre International Nadia et Lili Boulanger scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships for musicians in France. The competition is high, and it is recommended to apply at least one year in advance of the planned start of studies. Students also have the right to work up to 20 hours per week without additional permits. [source: allterra.ru]
- China
The Shanghai Conservatory of Music offers scholarships under the Chinese State Council (CSC) program for international students. The scholarship can cover tuition fees, living expenses, and monthly payments. [source: chinesescholarshipcouncil.com — it is recommended to check the current conditions before applying]
General principles of financing music education:
Most music scholarships are awarded based on artistic merit, as determined by auditions, rather than solely on academic grades.
It is important to apply for a scholarship at the same time as applying for admission, as separate deadlines for financial aid often occur earlier than the main application deadlines.
Public universities in Europe are much more affordable than private conservatories in the United States and the United Kingdom, but they have different levels of competition and program profiles.
In addition to university scholarships, it is worth exploring foundation grants, presidential scholarships in the country of residence, and support programs from embassies.
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