Apply Now: BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme (£12K Awards
If you have always dreamed of studying film, television, or games at a top UK institution but the cost has been holding you back, the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme might be exactly what you have been waiting for. Every year, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts opens applications for this prestigious scholarship, which offers financial support, mentoring from industry professionals, and access to one of the most respected creative networks in the world.
Whether you are a prospective postgraduate student hoping to fund your Master’s degree or an undergraduate looking for support with living expenses, this scholarship was built for people like you. It is not just about the money either. Being named a BAFTA Scholar opens doors to industry events, one-on-one mentoring, and a community of like-minded creatives who are all working toward the same goal.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme, from who runs it and who qualifies, to how much money is on offer, which courses are eligible, and how to put together the strongest possible application.
What Is the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme?
The BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme is a financial assistance initiative run by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) as part of its charitable activities. BAFTA is a registered charity (charity number 216726) and the UK’s leading independent arts charity. Its mission is to champion the creative and cultural importance of the screen arts across film, games, and television.
The scholarship programme exists because BAFTA believes that talent is not determined by bank balance, where you come from, or your life experience. Success in the creative industries should not be either. The programme was created to ensure that financially constrained but genuinely talented British students are not locked out of the screen industries simply because they cannot afford to study.
The UK Scholarship Programme is part of BAFTA’s wider global scholarship activity, which also includes scholarship programmes in North America through BAFTA Los Angeles and BAFTA New York. For UK-based students who want to pursue their studies at home, the UK programme is the right avenue to explore.
Applications for the current academic cycle are now open. The programme targets British creatives looking to enter the screen industries through eligible undergraduate and postgraduate courses at UK institutions.
Who Runs the Programme?
The BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme is managed directly by BAFTA from its home at 195 Piccadilly in London. The programme is made possible by the generous support of individual patrons, foundations, and corporate donors who believe in nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
Key supporters of the programme include the Reuben Foundation, which supports the BAFTA Reuben Scholars, and the Risman Foundation, which supports the BAFTA Risman Scholar. Other donors include Paul Greengrass (film director, producer, and screenwriter), who is a founding supporter, as well as a wider network of BAFTA patrons who sustain the programme year after year.
In addition to the standard BAFTA scholarships, the programme includes the Prince William BAFTA Bursary, a separate but related initiative that provides financial support to junior creatives already working in the industry who need help with the costs of progressing their careers in film, games, and television.
Finalists and recipients are selected by a panel of industry professionals following an open call to UK nationals applying for eligible UK courses.
How Much Money Do BAFTA Scholars Receive?
The scholarship award varies depending on whether you are studying at postgraduate or undergraduate level.
Postgraduate Students
Scholars undertaking postgraduate study receive up to £12,000 towards their annual course fees, with a maximum total of £20,000 across two years for those on two-year programmes. This is a substantial contribution toward the cost of a Master’s degree at one of the UK’s leading film, television, or games schools.
Undergraduate Students
For scholars on undergraduate courses, BAFTA provides a contribution towards living expenses rather than tuition fees. For students on three or four-year courses, only those going into their second, third, or fourth year of study are eligible to apply. Students in their first year of a multi-year programme cannot apply during that first year.
Non-Financial Benefits
Beyond the money, all BAFTA Scholars receive a package of career support that many describe as equally valuable to the financial award. This package includes mentoring support from BAFTA members who are established professionals in film, television, or games, free access to BAFTA events around the UK throughout the year, the opportunity to participate in BAFTA’s outreach activities with young people, and access to BAFTA Guru, BAFTA’s online learning channel where scholars are also encouraged to share their own learning experiences.
In 2025, BAFTA announced over £277,000 in grants to 86 emerging creatives through its scholarship programmes and the Prince William BAFTA Bursary combined, giving a clear sense of the scale and impact of these initiatives.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility for the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme is fairly specific. Here is a breakdown of the key criteria:
Nationality
You must be a British citizen to apply for the UK programme. There is no age limit for applicants, which means the programme welcomes career changers and mature students just as much as younger applicants starting out for the first time. If you are a British citizen who wants to study in the US rather than the UK, you should look instead at the BAFTA Los Angeles or BAFTA New York scholarship programmes, which are separate from the UK programme.
Financial Need
All applicants are assessed on both financial need and demonstrated talent. This is not a scholarship for the most privileged students; it was specifically designed to support talented individuals from less wealthy backgrounds who genuinely need financial help to access their studies. You will need to demonstrate your financial circumstances as part of the application.
Course Eligibility
Your course must be on BAFTA’s list of eligible courses for that year. The eligible courses for non-acting disciplines are drawn from ScreenSkills Selects courses, as well as courses accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers’ Association) and BJTC (Broadcast Journalism Training Council). Acting courses have their own separate eligibility criteria.
BAFTA acknowledges that because it relies on external accreditation bodies rather than its own accreditation system, some excellent courses may not be eligible in a given year. Always check the official eligible courses list on the BAFTA website before applying, as the list is updated regularly.
Year of Study
For undergraduate students on three or four-year courses, only those entering their second, third, or fourth year can apply. First-year undergraduates are not eligible. For postgraduate students, if you are entering the second year of a two-year course, you can apply but will need to explain how you funded your first year as part of your personal statement.
Course Start Date
In the current application cycle, if your course year starts between September 2026 and July 2027, you are eligible to apply even if you have not yet been accepted onto the course. In that case, you should upload a letter confirming that you have applied to the course as part of your scholarship application. However, if you are invited for an interview, BAFTA will require proof of your acceptance before proceeding.
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme covers three main creative industries: film, television, and games. Within these sectors, there is a wide range of disciplines that students can be studying. Here are some of the areas that have historically been covered by eligible courses:
In film, eligible disciplines have included directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, production design, editing, visual effects, animation, costume design, hair and makeup, and sound design. In television, eligible areas have included television journalism, TV production, broadcast journalism, and television documentary. In games, eligible courses have included game design, computer arts, game development, and related technical and creative disciplines.
Some of the UK institutions whose students have received BAFTA scholarships include the National Film and Television School (NFTS), the London Film School, the University of York, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Christine Blundell Makeup Academy, and Abertay University, among others.
The Prince William BAFTA Bursary: A Related Opportunity
Alongside the UK Scholarship Programme, BAFTA also runs the Prince William BAFTA Bursary, which is a separate but complementary programme worth knowing about. Rather than supporting students in full-time education, the Prince William BAFTA Bursary targets junior creatives who are already working in the industry and need financial help to cover costs associated with progressing their careers. These costs might include things like driving lessons, specialist equipment, short courses, or other professional development expenses.
The bursary is supported by a wide network of industry supporters including actors Celia Imrie, Peter Capaldi, and Stephen Merchant, as well as directors and producers like Paul Greengrass. Applications for the Prince William BAFTA Bursary are also open on the BAFTA website.
BAFTA’s Broader Talent Development Ecosystem
The UK Scholarship Programme does not exist in isolation. It is part of a broad ecosystem of talent development activities that BAFTA runs every year, which is worth understanding as it gives you a sense of what being a BAFTA Scholar really means.
BAFTA Breakthrough is a flagship talent initiative that identifies and celebrates the next generation of film, games, and TV talent. Being a BAFTA Scholar puts you in the orbit of the Breakthrough network, which includes some of the most exciting emerging names in the UK screen industries.
BAFTA Elevate is a programme designed to help people from underrepresented backgrounds progress in their screen industries careers. If class, diversity, or accessibility has been a barrier for you, BAFTA’s broader talent support infrastructure understands and addresses that.
BFI Network and BAFTA Mentoring supports the next generation of LGBTQIA+ creatives in progressing their careers. Young Game Designers celebrates the next generation of game design talent from young people. The BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition supports aspiring screenwriters in getting their work seen by the industry.
All of these programmes sit alongside the scholarship as part of BAFTA’s year-round commitment to nurturing talent regardless of background.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the BAFTA UK Scholarship
The application process for the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme is entirely online and managed through the official BAFTA website. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect:
Step 1: Check the Eligible Courses List
Before you do anything else, visit the BAFTA website and check whether the course you are planning to study is on the eligible courses list for the current year. This list is updated annually and draws from ScreenSkills Selects, TIGA accredited courses, and BJTC accredited courses. If your course is not on the list, you will not be eligible to apply this year, regardless of your talent or financial need.
Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria: you must be a British citizen, you must demonstrate financial need, and you must be applying for an eligible year of study on an eligible course that starts between September 2026 and July 2027 for the current cycle.
Step 3: Prepare Your Personal Statement
The personal statement is one of the most important parts of your application. You will need to clearly explain your creative passion and technical ability, demonstrate why you need financial support, and show what you hope to achieve through your studies and within the screen industries. BAFTA assesses applicants on both financial need and demonstrated technical ability, so a strong personal statement needs to address both angles.
The good news is that if you have access requirements that make it difficult to fill out a written application, BAFTA allows you to complete your personal statement answers via video instead of in writing. If you need this accommodation, contact scholarships@bafta.org and BAFTA will guide you through the process.
Step 4: Gather Supporting Documents
You will need to upload relevant supporting documents as part of your application. If you have already been accepted onto your course, you should upload proof of that acceptance. If you have not yet been accepted but have applied, upload a letter confirming your application to the course.
Step 5: Submit Your Application Online
Applications are submitted through the official BAFTA website. There is no limit to the number of applications you can submit if you are applying for multiple eligible courses. However, you must submit a separate application form for each course, and each application will be judged individually on its own merits. Make sure every application is complete and includes all relevant details, because BAFTA will assess each one independently.
Step 6: The Interview Stage
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. At this stage, you will need to provide proof that you have been accepted onto your course if you had not yet been accepted at the time of application. The interview is conducted by a panel of industry professionals and gives you the chance to speak to your passion for the screen industries and your reasons for needing support.
Step 7: Award Notification
Successful applicants are notified and publicly announced as BAFTA Scholars. In 2025, BAFTA announced its scholarship recipients and Prince William BAFTA Bursary recipients at a celebratory Patron, Bursary and Scholarships Breakfast at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, which featured a Q and A with actor and director Peter Capaldi.
Key Dates and Deadlines
For the 2026 application cycle, the deadline for submitting applications is 10 May 2026. Applications are typically opened in spring each year. If you miss the deadline, BAFTA cannot accept late applications under any circumstances, so plan ahead and do not leave your application to the last minute.
The course year for which you are applying must start between September 2026 and July 2027 to be eligible in this cycle. Keep checking the official BAFTA website for any updates to dates or deadlines, as these can shift from year to year.
What Makes a Strong BAFTA Scholarship Application?
Because the competition is open to all eligible British nationals with no age limit and covers a broad range of film, television, and games disciplines, the pool of applicants can be large. Here are some things that can make your application stand out:
Clarity of purpose is crucial. The panel wants to see that you know what you want to do in the screen industries and why this specific course is the right path to get there. A vague sense of wanting to be creative is not enough. Be specific about the role you want to play in the industry, whether that is as a director, games producer, sound designer, editor, or another discipline.
Financial transparency matters. Because financial need is one of the assessment criteria, be honest and clear about your financial situation. You do not need to be embarrassed about your circumstances; this scholarship was designed precisely for people who face genuine financial barriers. The clearer and more honest you are, the better the panel can assess your need.
Technical ability must come through in your answers. If you have a showreel, prior work, relevant experience, or projects that demonstrate your skill in your chosen discipline, reference them. Even at the early stages of a career, evidence of creative output and learning makes a difference.
Be genuine in your personal statement. Past scholars have spoken about how the programme changed their lives and opened doors they could not have imagined. The panel responds to authenticity. Tell your real story, not what you think they want to hear.
If English is not your strongest mode of expression or you have access needs, remember that you can submit your personal statement as a video. Do not let the written format be a barrier to putting your best self forward.
What Past BAFTA Scholars Have Said
Hearing from people who have already gone through the programme can give you a real sense of what being a BAFTA Scholar means in practice.
One past scholar, Sam Hughes, who received a Prince William Scholarship supported by BAFTA and Warner Bros. while studying an MA in Postproduction with Sound Design at the University of York, described the mentoring he received as deeply influential on his understanding of the industry, saying he felt extremely lucky to have had industry professionals guiding him alongside his studies.
Eleanor Pitt, who studied MA Television Journalism at City University as a BAFTA Scholar, described the programme as having opened doors she could not have imagined before. The combination of her course, her mentor relationship, and the access to BAFTA events and fellow scholars were all things she described as exceptional, made possible entirely through the scholarship.
These testimonials reflect a broader truth: BAFTA Scholars do not just receive a financial boost. They gain a community, a network, and an introduction to the industry that accelerates their careers in ways that money alone cannot buy.
BAFTA Scholars After the Programme: Where Do They Go?
Previous recipients of BAFTA bursaries and scholarships have gone on to work on major productions across film, television, and games. This includes work on programmes like Doctor Who for the BBC and Disney+, Netflix Original productions, and contributions to BAFTA’s own award shows. Some have worked on the shoot for BAFTA’s cinema trailer celebrating the art of storytelling in games.
In 2025, BAFTA North America also announced its cohort of scholars, who received funding packages of up to $60,000 to support studies at institutions including Duke University, UCLA, USC, NYU, and the American Film Institute. Mentoring and career support were part of those packages too. This shows how seriously BAFTA takes talent development at every level and in every geography.
Is There an Age Limit for the BAFTA UK Scholarship?
No. There is no age limit for applicants to the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme. BAFTA explicitly welcomes applications from career starters who are older than the average student. If you are making a career change later in life and have chosen to study film, television, or games, you are just as eligible as a 21-year-old applying straight from undergraduate study. The focus is on talent, financial need, and a genuine commitment to entering the screen industries.
Can I Apply for Multiple BAFTA Scholarships?
Yes. If you are applying for more than one eligible course, you can submit a separate application for each one. There is no limit on the number of applications you can submit. However, each application must be complete in itself, with all relevant details included, because each one is assessed individually. Do not assume that information from one application will carry over to another.
What If I Have Already Studied at Postgraduate Level?
The scholarship is aimed at people studying eligible UK courses, whether undergraduate or postgraduate. If you are already mid-way through a two-year postgraduate programme and entering your second year, you can apply for a scholarship, but your personal statement should clearly explain how you funded your first year of study without the scholarship.
Related Scholarships and Programmes to Know About
If you are interested in the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme, there are a few related opportunities that may also be worth exploring depending on your situation:
The Prince William BAFTA Bursary is open to junior creatives already in the industry who need financial help to progress their careers. If you are past the student stage but still early in your career, this could be a better fit than the scholarship programme.
BAFTA US Scholarships are available for British citizens who want to study in the United States. The Pigott/BAFTA Scholarship offers up to $10,000 toward annual tuition and expenses for British graduate students studying full-time Master’s degrees at US graduate schools in disciplines leading to production roles in filmmaking. The BAFTA Ben Jorgensen Scholarship awards $10,000 to graduate students studying filmmaking at New York universities. Applications for the US scholarships are open until 26 June 2026.
The BAFTA Breakthrough UK programme, supported by Netflix, identifies and celebrates the next generation of film, games, and TV talent at a career rather than student level. If you are already making work in the industry and want BAFTA’s backing to help accelerate your career, Breakthrough is worth looking into.
BFI Network and BAFTA Mentoring supports LGBTQIA+ creatives in progressing their screen industries careers. If this applies to you, it is a dedicated and valuable resource alongside the scholarship programme.
How to Apply for the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme
If you meet the eligibility criteria and you are ready to take the next step, applications are submitted directly through the official BAFTA website. The application form, the eligible courses list, detailed FAQs, and all the information you need to prepare your application are all available there.
You can start your application today by visiting the official page: Apply for the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme on the official BAFTA website.
Remember, the current deadline is 10 May 2026. Do not leave it too late. If you have any access requirements that make it difficult to complete the written application, email scholarships@bafta.org and BAFTA will support you through the process.
Final Thoughts
The BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme is one of the most respected and impactful scholarship opportunities available to aspiring British creatives in the screen industries. It combines meaningful financial support with real-world industry mentoring, access to BAFTA’s network of professionals, and a community of fellow scholars who share your passion for film, television, and games.
If you are a British national who loves storytelling in any of these forms, faces genuine financial challenges in funding your studies, and is applying for an eligible course at a UK institution starting between September 2026 and July 2027, this scholarship deserves your full attention. The deadline is 10 May 2026, so now is the time to start preparing your application.
Do not let cost be the reason you step back from your creative ambitions. BAFTA built this programme precisely to make sure it does not have to be.
To get started today, visit the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme official page and check whether your course is on the eligible list. If you are also interested in the Prince William BAFTA Bursary for junior industry professionals, visit the Prince William BAFTA Bursary official page to find out more and apply.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with anyone you know who is passionate about film, television, or games and looking for financial support to pursue their studies. The more people who know about this opportunity, the better chance we all have of seeing the screen industries become a place where talent truly does not depend on the size of your bank account.
For more guides to scholarships in the UK, US, and around the world, keep exploring this blog. We publish detailed, up-to-date information on funding opportunities for students and early-career creatives across all fields and disciplines.
