Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, together with Sony Music UK, is offering two bursaries for its internationally renowned two-year Master of Music Therapy programme.

Applications are now open for the September 2022 bursaries in London, worth £10,000 each, following the successful launch of the Nordoff Robbins and Sony Music UK Bursary in January 2021 which saw four recipients take up their places in Manchester and Newcastle in September this year.

The initiative will cover tuition fees for the two year course, and aims to remove financial barriers to the Masters-level programme for musicians who would not otherwise have the opportunity or resources to access it. Applications are welcomed from musicians of all ages and backgrounds who want to pursue a rewarding career in music by improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable people. The closing date for applications is Monday 17th January 2022.

Nordoff Robbins believes in the power of music to enrich lives for all people in society. Its trained music therapists work with children and adults affected by life limiting illness such as Dementia, mental health issues, physical disability and learning disabilities including Autism. In 2020, Nordoff Robbins’ music therapists helped the lives of 5,782 individuals throughout the year.

Nordoff Robbins’ full-time Master of Music Therapy (MMT) programme has been running since 1974, and is validated by Goldsmiths, University of London. Graduates of the two year programme can subsequently apply to the Health And Care Professions Council for registration, the legal pre-requisite for working as a music therapist in the UK.

A recipient of the 2021 Nordoff Robbins/Sony Music UK Bursary said: “The Nordoff Robbins and Sony Music Bursary has brought my dream into actualisation, coming from a family with a lifetime of financial hardship, it has afforded me the relief to focus on my Masters. I hope to be able to help as many people as I can with music therapy.”

Another recipient said: “I am truly grateful to have received the Nordoff Robbins and Sony Music Bursary which has enabled me to pursue my ambition of becoming a music therapist. I hope to one day be able to make a difference to someone’s life by delivering my own music therapy sessions.”

Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff Robbins said: “We’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact that music has for the people that we work with – it is quite simply life changing. We want to encourage a diverse range of talented musicians to apply for our bursary in order to use their skills to help people access music making and all the joy that it can bring. We believe that all people in our society – including those who may feel isolated through physical or mental illness – have a limitless potential to be empowered by music.”

Liz Jeffery, VP of Human Resources at Sony Music UK said: “I’m delighted that these bursaries have already made a meaningful difference to the lives of many. This partnership builds on our existing work to prioritise and raise awareness of disability and demonstrates the immeasurable impact that music can have on people’s lives.”

Musicians interested in the Sony Bursary or finding out more about the Master of Music Therapy programme are welcome to attend Nordoff Robbins open evenings starting on 25th October, and also running through to January. Sign up to an open evening here.
Open Evening Dates:
Monday 25th October –  Online
Tuesday 16th November – In person
Thursday 18th November – Online
Monday 13th December – Online
Wednesday 19th January – In person
Thursday 20th January – Online

For more information on how to apply or for detailed requirements for the bursary, visit the Nordoff Robbins website or email education@nordoff-robbins.org.uk.