The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has announced a Women in Music scholarship aimed at reducing the industry’s gender gap by supporting women at the start of their careers.
Women in Music scholarship
The initiative will award £5,000 scholarships and industry mentoring to three women enrolling on the BA/BSc (Hons) Music Composition & Technology in 2019 with a single prizewinner also receiving equipment from music technology specialists, Audient UK.
Applicants to the Women in Music scholarship will be asked to submit a portfolio of work and will be assessed on their creativity, originality, technical skill, contextualisation and potential for development alongside their academic record.
BA/BSc (Hons) Music Composition & Technology
Based at UCA Farnham, the BA/BSc (Hons) Music Composition & Technology offers students the chance to be taught by leading technologists, session musicians, composers, sound designers and industry experts and opens up pathways to roles such as film composer, music supervisor, music producer and sound designer.
UCA is also set to open a new film and media centre, housing the technology and specialist equipment needed to prepare today’s creative students for industry.
Women in Music research
US-based international organisation, Women in Music, estimates that the gender divide in music is split at 70/30 with a Canadian study citing that women represent as little as 6% of recognised producers in the US and Canada.
Of the 600 most popular songs from 2012 to 2017, only 12% were written by women, according to the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative.
‘Positive change in music education and the music industry’
Dr Harry Whalley, Course Leader of the BA/BSc (Hons) Music Composition & Technology, said:
‘As well as offering financial support, the initiative will encompass talks, workshops and mentoring that not only celebrates innovators but also seeks to inspire a new generation.
‘We embrace the true plurality of music in terms of the tools, styles and people involved in the invention of new music. We want students to follow their individual passions while also learning the skills required to become creative practitioners today.
‘We are committed to positive change in music education and the music industry and are excited to be forging new links which will further support women in music.’
To find out more about the Women in Music scholarship, please click here.
Header photo: Women enrolling on the BA/BSc (Hons) Music Composition & Technology, based at UCA Farnham, in 2019 will be eligible to apply for the Women in Music scholarship
