Weingarten Scholarship 2025-2026

From the academic year 2025-2026, the Joseph Weingarten Memorial Trust of the Birmingham City University, Birmingham Conservatoire in the United Kingdom offers a scholarship at its Advanced Postgraduate Diploma – Professional Performance Course (APD for short) to Hungarian students of the piano-, violin- and voice-programmes.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

The scholarship aims to support young performers of the piano-, violin- and voice-programmes who have either completed their MA-level studies or are scheduled to complete their MA-level studies by the time they arrive to Birmingham in September 2025.

FURTHER REQUIREMENTS

Strong English language skills.

STUDY PERIOD

Academic year 2025-2026 (exact dates to be confirmed).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 17 January 2025 (Friday)

HOW TO APPLY

For all details, please read thoroughly the information linked here and here.

Please note that you need to send recordings for the first round / pre-screening of the selection process. The second round will take place IN-PERSON during February 2025 in Birmingham.

Please note also that University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) fees are going to be reimbursed in case you attend the in-person audition. Additionally, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will waive the audition fee.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Scholarship provided to students will cover the complete tuition fee.

Travel, accommodation and living expenses will be covered by the students as well as health and travel insurance.

Furthermore, students are responsible for checking visa requirements themselves, informations are available here.

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More information about the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire available here.

Should you have any questions regarding the Professional Performance Course itself, you can contact the course director, Dr. Siân Derry (sian.derry@bcu.ac.uk)

THE JOSEPH WEINGARTEN MEMORIAL TRUST

Joseph Weingarten was a distinguished pianist who studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest but pursued his long career in London.  He was highly respected as a soloist performing at the Proms and major music festivals and as a chamber musician working especially in duo partnerships with leading British instrumentalists.

Joseph was also an outstanding teacher and held positions at the Birmingham School of Music (now Birmingham Conservatoire) and Trinity College of Music as well as having an extensive private practice.  He enjoyed his connection with the School of Music in Birmingham and with this in mind we were very fortunate that he decided to make a substantial donation in bequesting the funds to support the Joseph Weingarten Memorial Trust. 

The Memorial Trust was endowed by both Joseph Weingarten and his wife Lilian to support postgraduate study in piano, violin or voice at Birmingham Conservatoire and the Franz Liszt Academy, Budapest. The Trust is managed on behalf of Birmingham Conservatoire by the University of Central England Trustee Committee. The income from the Trust is administered by the Joseph Weingarten Memorial Trust Management Committee under the chairmanship of the Principal of the Conservatoire.