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Fees and Funding
Guildhall School is committed to ensuring that the cost of tuition should not deter you from applying. Find out more about the fees and funding options available.
This page offers information and guidance for applicants and current students at Guildhall. If you have any queries please do email the Senior Student Funding Officer or any of the contacts listed below.
*please note that the figures below are subject to change
Fee Status and Fee Assessment
Guildhall School is a publicly funded educational institution and must charge two levels of fee: the lower 'home' fee and the higher 'overseas' fee. Students pay the 'home' or 'overseas' fee depending on whether they meet certain criteria as set out by Government fee regulations. Students at the Guildhall School are studying at higher education (HE) level in England, so must meet different criteria than students studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and students studying a course at further education (FE) level.
The School is responsible for accurately assessing your legal fees status in the UK and is required to apply government regulations to assess fee status. These regulations require the School to consider a range of criteria, including:
• Nationality
• Your immigration status in the UK
• Domicile (where you have been living and for how long)
• What you have been doing for three years prior to your course
Further guidance on funding, fee status and other issues is available from UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
If you are made an offer of study you will either be provisionally assessed as a Home or Overseas fee payer. Alternatively, if we do not have enough information to make a provisional fee assessment your fee status will be Unassessed.
All applicants who are made an offer must complete a fee assessment form when accepting their offer to study at Guildhall School. This form enables us to formally assess your fee status in the UK to make sure you are charged the correct tuition fee when you enrol. Fee status assessments are carried out on an individual basis and consider the unique circumstances of each applicant. Additional information may be required to assess your fee status accurately and fully.
Fee status is largely based on residency as well as nationality. Please refer to the definitions of different residential categories eligible for Home status available on the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, with details of the requirements that you must meet to qualify in each category.
If you are unable to meet the eligibility requirements noted for Home fees then you will be charged an overseas fee status.
If you are made an offer of study and we do not have enough information to make a provisional fee assessment then your fee status will be Unassessed. You will need to complete your fee assessment so we can confirm what your fee status and therefore your tuition fees will be. Once we have done this we will either confirm your fee status as Home or Overseas.
If you are thinking about applying for Student Finance to help pay your tuition fees and/or your living costs, please be aware that there are strict eligibility criteria that you need to meet. Although most students meet this eligibility criteria, some do not.
It is important you check that you meet the eligibility criteria before you apply for Student Finance.
Students who may not be eligible for Student Finance include any students who have already achieved an equivalent or higher level of qualification, and any students on the Advanced Certificate course.
You can check the following websites for more information on the eligibility criteria:
If you need to discuss this further, we recommend contacting your Admissions Coordinator in the first instance, as they will have made the initial assessment suggesting you are not eligible for Student Finance funding. Details of those teams can be found on the course pages.
You can also contact the Senior Student Funding Officer at studentfundingofficer@gsmd.ac.uk for information about external funding opportunities to help pay for your studies.
Undergraduate Home Students
For students who will be classified as a Home fee payer according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs - please see the linked UKCISA guidance
Undergraduate Home Full- Time Fees - £9,535*
*For regulated Home undergraduate fees, the School will charge the maximum fee permitted by the government for that year.
Application fee
When you apply for a programme of study, you will need to pay an application fee. The application fee can be found on the individual course pages.
Guildhall offer a Supported Application Scheme, which covers the cost of this application fee for eligible undergraduate applicants. Find out if you’re eligible, how to apply and what the other benefits of the scheme are.
Course related fees
Course-related costs may range from £130 to £1,500 per year depending upon the programme. Please contact the department directly for further details.
- Drama: acting_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Music: music_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Production Arts: pa_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Research & Teaching: research_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Living costs
Living in London (accommodation, food and travel) is likely to cost £1,300 to £1,550 a month.
Resources such as this one can give you an idea of what to expect and how to navigate living as a student in London.
Guildhall encourages applications from students who come from background that are under represented in Higher Education.
The Scheme can help eligible applicants with the following -
- Free application for the undergraduate course they want to apply to.
- Advice from the Access & Participation team.
For a full list of what the Scheme offers, eligibility and how to apply please visit the Supported Application Scheme web page.
If you are eligible for Home fees it is likely you meet the residency criteria for the following forms of support (make sure you check all the eligibility criteria)
2025/26
- A tuition fee loan for up to £9,535
- A maintenance loan for up to £13,762
2024/25 Figures
- A tuition fee loan for up to £9,250
- A maintenance loan for up to £13,348
2023/24 Figures
- A tuition fee loan for up to £9,250
- A maintenance loan for up to £13,022
For a comprehensive description of what support you can get please visit the Student Finance Website
Applications are still open for the 2023/24 Academic Year - if you would like to apply for a loan please visit the Student Finance Website
If you are from the following countries there is a different process - please click on the countries below to explore these options -
You will receive your student finance loans once you are registered on your course.
You will be registered once you have completed all your enrolment tasks.
Guildhall will send these to you before the start of the academic year, usually in August.
New Home Undergraduate Home entrants do not need to pay a deposit towards their tuition fees, unless they have already studied at the same or a higher level and will not be eligible for a student loan.
If a deposit is made a condition of the offer, this will be a 15% non-refundable deposit required by 15th July 2025.
If you are in receipt of a student loan your tuition loan payments will be paid straight to your university. Your maintenance loan will be paid directly to you in instalments. Please log on to your student finance account to update your bank details and check on payment dates.
The Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Awards web page for details on specific bursaries and scholarships available to students at Guildhall.
The Access Bursary offers eligible UK undergraduate students, with a household income of below £33k, an award of between £3-5k each year of their studies, to ensure that they have the financial support to study with confidence.
Eligible students:
- are Care Leavers, or those with experience of the UK care system;
- are estranged from their families, and unlikely to reconcile;
- are Independent students, with confirmation of this status from the Students' Loans Company;
- have a declared disability, which impacts their financial circumstances;
- applied to the School from a home address in an area which has very low levels of progression to higher education (using the POLAR4 methodology).
Students must apply to the Access Bursary every year.
For more information on this please contact the Access & Participation team
Undergraduate International Students
For students who will be paying Overseas tuition fees.
Please refer to the Tuition Fee Schedule page.
US and North American students can apply for loans from their home government - please see the "US and North American students" section below.
Application fee
When you apply for a programme of study, you will need to pay an application fee.
The application fee can be found on the individual course pages.
Course related fees
Course-related costs may range from £130 to £1,500 per year depending upon the programme. Please contact the department directly for further details.
- Drama: acting_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Music: music_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Production Arts: pa_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Research & Teaching: research_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Living costs
Living in London (accommodation, food and travel) is likely to cost £1,300 to £1,550 a month.
Resources such as this one can give you an idea of what to expect and how to navigate living as a student in London.
When you have been offered and accepted a place at Guildhall you can apply for a partial scholarship within your department. Further information on how to apply and the deadlines for these funds will be released on Guildhall's intranet MyGuildhall.
You can also look at the Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Awards web page for details on specific bursaries and scholarships available to students at Guildhall.
All new International Undergraduate entrants are required to pay a 15% non-refundable deposit of tuition fees by 15th July 2025 (if applicable).
Tuition fees are due in advance or can be paid on the first day of each term.
Payments can be made online via the eGo Portal or by contacting the Finance Office.
Postgraduate Home Students
For students who will be classified as a Home fee payer according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs’ (UKCISA) guidance.
There are different fees for different courses at Guildhall.
For a complete list of programme fees please refer to the fee schedule linked here
Application fee
When you apply for a programme of study, you will need to pay an application fee.
The application fee can be found on the individual course pages.
Course related fees
Course-related costs may range from £130 to £1,500 per year depending upon the programme. Please contact the department directly for further details.
- Drama: acting_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Music: music_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Production Arts: pa_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Research & Teaching: research_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Living costs
Living in London (accommodation, food and travel) is likely to cost £1,300 to £1,550 a month.
Resources such as this one can give you an idea of what to expect and how to navigate living as a student in London.
If you are eligible for Home fees it is likely you meet the residency criteria for the following forms of support (make sure you check all the eligibility criteria)
2024/25 Figures
- A maintenance loan for up to £12,471 if your course starts on or after 1st August 2024
2023/24 Figures
- A maintenance loan for up to £12,167 if your course starts on or after 1st August 2023
Applications are still open for the 2023/24 Academic year - if you would like to apply please visit the Student Finance Website
For a comprehensive description of what support you can get please visit the Student Finance Website
If you are from the following countries there is a different process - please click on the countries below to explore these options -
You will receive your student finance loans once you are registered on your course.
You will be registered once you have completed all your enrolment tasks. Guildhall will send these to you before the start of the academic year, usually in August.
You will need to inform the school if you are using your maintenance loan to pay your tuition fees - you will receive instructions on how to do this in your enrolment instructions sent before the start of term.
More information on this process is given to you when you have been offered and accepted a place on one of Guildhalls courses.
All new Postgraduate Home entrants are required to pay a 15% non-refundable deposit of tuition fees by 15th July 2025 (if applicable).
If you are in receipt of a student loan your tuition loan payments will be paid straight to your university. Your maintenance loan will be paid directly to you in instalments. Please log on to your student finance account to update your bank details and check on payment dates.
The Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Awards web page for details on specific bursaries and scholarships available to students at Guildhall.
These Postgraduate Masters Programmes vary in eligibility for Postgraduate Loans.
Please see the table below to see which programmes are eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.
Intended Award | Including Graduate Certificate? | Duration/ Mode of Study | Eligible for Postgraduate Loan? |
MMus | N | 1 Year Full Time | Y |
MMus | N | 2 Years Part Time | Y |
MMus | Y | 2 Years Full Time | Y |
MMus | Y | 1 Year Full Time, 2 Years Part Time | N |
MPerf/ MComp | N | 2 Years Full Time | Y |
MPerf/ MComp | N | 2 Years Part Time, 1 Year Full Time | N |
MPerf/ MComp (Extended) |
Y | 3 Years Full Time | N |
MPerf/ MComp (Extended) |
Y | 2 Years Full Time, 2 Years Part Time | N |
.
Due to specific government requirements for the postgraduate loan scheme, not all of Guildhall’s Masters level courses are eligible for funding.
If you wish to transfer to a different route then you must discuss this with your department and the Senior Student Funding Officer to ensure that you are aware of funding implications.
Postgraduate International Students
For students from outside the UK who come to study at institutions within the UK.
There are different fees for different courses at Guildhall.
For a complete list of programme fees please refer to the fee schedule linked here
Application fee
When you apply for a programme of study, you will need to pay an application fee.
The application fee can be found on the individual course pages.
Course related fees
Course-related costs may range from £130 to £1,500 per year depending upon the programme. Please contact the department directly for further details.
- Drama: acting_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Music: music_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Production Arts: pa_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
- Research & Teaching: research_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Living costs
Living in London (accommodation, food and travel) is likely to cost £1,300 to £1,550 a month.
Resources such as this one can give you an idea of what to expect and how to navigate living as a student in London.
When you have been offered and accepted a place at Guildhall you can apply for a partial scholarship within your department. Further information on how to apply and the deadlines for these funds will be released on Guildhall's intranet MyGuildhall.
You can also look at the Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Awards web page for details on specific bursaries and scholarships available to students at Guildhall.
All new Postgraduate International entrants are required to pay a 15% non-refundable deposit of tuition fees by 15th July 2025 (if applicable).
Tuition fees are due in advance or can be paid on the first day of each term.
Payments can be made online via the eGo Portal or by contacting the Finance Office.
EU Students
For students who are citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. If you are settled under the EU settlement scheme or have been granted indefinite leave to remain for other reasons.
For most up to date guidance on your study at Guildlhall including information about Fees and Visas please visit the International Admissions Page
The UK Government website also has information on this matter, if you need further information please contact Student Finance England on 0300 100 0607. Other ways to contact them are listed here.
Students from the Republic of Ireland
If you are an Irish citizen you can apply for full support from Student Finance England.
2024/25 Figures
- A tuition fee loan for up to £9,250
- A maintenance loan for up to £13,348
For a comprehensive description of what support you can get please visit the Student Finance Website
US and North American Students
Students who are US or North American citizens can apply for Federal loans from their governing body. Links to these can be found below.
US Federal Loans
Canadian Provinces Student Aid
- Alberta Student Aid
- British Columbia Student Aid
- Manitoba Student Aid
- New Brunswick Student Financial Services
- Newfoundland and Labrador Student Aid
- Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance
- Nova Scotia Student Assistance
- Nunavut Student Funding
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- Prince Edward Island Student Financial Services
- Quebec Student Financial Aid
- Saskatchewan Student Loans
- Yukon Student Financial Assistance
For a comprehensive description of the procedures and administration of the US Loans at Guildhall please visit the US Federal Loans page.
When you have been offered and accepted a place at Guildhall you can apply for a partial scholarship within your department. Further information on how to apply and the deadlines for these funds will be released on Guildhall's intranet MyGuildhall.
You can also look at the Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Awards web page for details on specific bursaries and scholarships available to students at Guildhall.
Support and Resources
There is support available to students at Guildhall from a range of sources at Guildhall and outside - the list below is contains some resources that students have used in the past.
Please do email studentfundingofficer@gsmd.ac.uk if you have any suggestions.
The Guildhall Students' Union is here to support all students at Guildhall and can be contacted here.
The Access and Participation Team administer a variety of schemes designed to encourage all potential applicants and students to thrive. This includes the Supported Application Scheme for applicants and the Access Bursary for current students. They can be contacted at access@gsmd.ac.uk.
The Student Affairs Team provide a range of support services to support students personal and professional well-being. The team offer advice on a wide range of subjects and can be contacted at student.affairs@gsmd.ac.uk
The Senior Student Funding Officer sits within the Registry Services team and can offer advice and support on Student Finance Loans, US Federal Loans and other sources of funding to help you in your study. Applicants and Students can reach them at studentfundingofficer@gsmd.ac.uk.
Alongside the teams at Guildhall who can support you during your study there are many organisations and resources available to all students.
If you have used any organisations not on the list below do email the Senior Student Funding Officer so we can keep this list up to date.
There are many resources and organisation that can provide external funding opportunities such as the ones below -
- Arts Council
- Charity Commission Advanced Search
- European Funding Guide
- Family Action Group
- Graduate Prospects
- Help Musicians UK funding wizard
- International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search
- Postgraduate Studentships
- Turn2us
- Countess of Munster Musical Trust
- The Caird Trust (downloads a PDF file)
- Philharmonia
- Royal Philharmonic Society
- Study UK
- Worshipful Company of Musicians
Postgraduate Research
This guidance relates to students undertaking Postgraduate Research Degrees.
Currently Students can get up to
- £28,673 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2023
- £27,892 if your course started between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023
- £27,265 if your course started between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022
The amount you get does not depend on your household income.
For further information please visit the government website
You will need to consider how to fund your study - there is a dedicated page located here which goes into details about -
- How much you will need
- Help with costs
- Fee waivers and studentships
For further information on the course please visit the course page
Privacy of student records
Guildhall School is a department of the City of London Corporation (“the City of London”) and the City of London is the data controller. The City of London’s privacy notice explains how the City uses your data.
Where there are activities unique to Guildhall School, these are covered in more detail by the School’s Privacy Notice and by the privacy notice specific to Higher Education.
For the purposes of administering loans from the Student Loans Company (SLC), your data will be processed in accordance with the SLC privacy notice, and in accordance with the School's overarching and HE privacy notice.
Programme Costs
What if I am being sponsored?
On occasion students are sponsored by a private organisation who have agreed to their fees.
If you are being funded by an external sponsor such as a government, business or charity the Guildhall School will invoice them directly.
Please ask the company to provide a formal letter including the following information:
- Your name
- Your student number
- Confirmation of the academic year(s) they are funding you for
- Confirmation of the amount they are providing each year