Scholarships & Exhibitions

Music Awards

Music Awards are available to any candidate who shows exceptional musical talent. Many former pupils have highly successful careers as performers, conductors, and composers; others find that their musical experience enriches other kinds of work. At Winchester they benefit from exceptional teaching, first-class facilities, and the opportunity to play in concerts at least weekly.

Winchester offers Music Scholarships and Music Exhibitions at both 13+ and 16+ entries, and Choral and Organ Scholarships for 16+ entries. All awards are given for performances heard at audition. The audition includes a 15-minute performance, and 10 minutes of practical tests. Informal pre-auditions are also available for all candidates.

In making awards, we are looking for musicianship, potential and commitment alongside achievement. Generally, however, the successful candidates will be at least Grade 6 (or an equivalent level) at 13+ on their 1st instrument. For 16+ the expectation is that pupils will be Grade 8+ standard, and pupils offering only piano should be of diploma standard.

Choral Scholarships

Choral scholar applicants need not to have taken grades in Singing exams but should have experience of regular choral singing. This is an ideal preparation for university choral scholarships and would suit singers who wish to improve their sight-reading and musicianship skills through rehearsing several times per week. Choral scholars must be prepared to commit to services, concerts, tours and broadcasts and will receive 1 to 1 lessons from experienced singing teachers.

It is envisaged that in time, the choral scholars will sing as a small group as well as within the liturgical choirs at Winchester. There will be opportunities to develop singing beyond Winchester through participation in events in Cambridge and Oxford, and for the right applicants, the opportunity to spend a gap year in Winchester working with both the Cathedral and College and pursuing particular musical interests.

Applications are welcomed from all voice parts.

Organ Scholarships

The organ scholars work alongside the Chapel Organist providing organ music for services. They accompany choirs on piano and organ and are able to develop choral (and orchestral) conducting. Winchester College Chapel Choir with its 16 Quiristers (8–13-year-old trebles) provides unparalleled opportunity to experience a Cathedral-style training during the sixth form, invaluable for organists wishing to apply for university scholarships which involve working with children.

For more information, please see the Music Awards document below.

Sports Scholarships
Sports Scholarships offer successful candidates at 13+ and 16+ specialist coaching sessions, a regularly assessed strength and conditioning programme, and a dedicated tutor from the Sports Department to help them achieve their sporting goals while maintaining a sensible and sustainable routine in the school.

Successful candidates will be invited to an assessment day, designed to understand their all-round sporting ability. The day is typically split into three parts and looks at physical, technical and mental agility.

Further information can be found in the documents below, including contact information and details of how to apply.

Unlike Bursaries, Music and Sports Scholarships do not automatically carry a remission on school fees. Further information on bursary support can be found here.