Abbey Road Studios announces diversity scholarship programme for 2024

25 January 2024 - Press release

Iconic London studio’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in music production and sound engineering

Abbey Road Studios announces today the return of its scholarship programme and its expanded remit aimed at supporting young talent looking to pursue a career in the music industry. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition fees and a contribution towards living costs for two students, from underrepresented groups in the field of music production and sound engineering, to join Abbey Road Institute London’s one-year Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering in summer 2024.

The scholarship is part of the world-renowned London studio’s established programme of initiatives to support greater diversity within the music industry including outreach work, events, workshops and mentoring with schools and charities across the UK aimed at opening the door for more young people into careers in music.

This unique opportunity aims to support a broad group of applicants from backgrounds which are underrepresented in the field of music production and sound engineering. This includes, but is not limited to, those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, women and those from low income households. Applicants must be under 25 to apply. The committee awarding the scholarship will specifically look to help those who don’t have the financial resources to study on the course or study for a year in London.

The Institute has already proved successful in supporting young talent, with one of its alumni receiving a Grammy for her work on Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ single Unholy. Current scholarship recipient, Leah Morris, who is halfway through the course, has been working with artists such as Mahalia and Stormzy alongside her studies on the programme.

On completion of the course, there is an option for the successful students to progress onto a one-year work placement at Abbey Road Studios. The scholarship ensures that students who demonstrate great potential are able to access studies and an education which will help progress their careers.

Sally Davies, Managing Director, Abbey Road Studios said: “Abbey Road strongly values the importance of creating opportunities that encourage greater diversity within the recording and music industries. The scholarship is an integral part of our collective commitment to supporting the next generation coming through.”

Darren Suckling, Campus and Admissions Manager, Abbey Road Institute said: “We’re delighted to have the studio’s support to enable more students from diverse backgrounds to join our Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering who wouldn’t otherwise have the funding to do so.”

Leah Morris and Marik Erskine were awarded the two Abbey Road scholarship places in 2023, and are currently studying music production:
Leah Morris said: “A key thing I've learnt while studying at Abbey Road Institute is how important it is to correctly apply foundational principles when recording and mixing, instead of reaching for shiny new tools. I look forward to starting my placement at Abbey Road Studios, I'm excited to apply the things I've learnt, and further my skills as a producer and engineer.”

Marik Erskine said: "I’ve learnt so much. I practically live in the building now. The whole experience of being in the studio every day, collaborating with others, being given tasks and experimenting more within my own craft has help me grow so much.”

For more details on the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering, go here.

For full details on the scholarship programme, eligibility criteria and the application process go here.

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants have until Friday 15 March 2024 to submit their application for the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering and the Abbey Road scholarship programme. Applicants will need to evidence how they meet the entry criteria in a supporting scholarship statement submitted along with their application. The admissions team at Abbey Road Institute London are on hand to offer support and guidance with the scholarship application process. The successful applicants will be announced in April 2024 and will enrol at the end of May 2024.
To be eligible to apply for the scholarship you will need to meet the following scholarship criteria:
Submit your completed application for the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering
Be from a background underrepresented in the field of audio and production, this includes but is not limited to those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic Backgrounds, women and those from low income households
Require financial support to enrol on the Diploma
Be a UK passport holder
Be aged between 18 – 25