Securing drama school bursaries is a vital step for many young actors as they consider beginning their training. OSD has been working hard to improve our bursary provision, so we are absolutely thrilled to announce the establishment of new drama school bursaries following vital support from The Ashley Family Foundation.
The Ashley Family Bursaries will support two incoming or current Welsh OSD students. These drama school bursaries are designed to help people who may need financial support when considering their training at OSD.
In light of the diminishing timetable hours dedicated to Drama in schools, the opportunities for young people to access vocational arts education are lessening yearly. This trend is particularly true in rural communities where geography influences young people’s ability to watch, engage with, or pursue artistic hobbies.
The Ashley Family Foundation has a legacy of supporting people in rural Welsh communities, and these bursaries reflect that commitment.
To be eligible for the bursaries, you must hold an offer to join our One Year or Three Year courses. You must also have a household income of less than £35,000.
In some instances, we will accept applications from those whose household income exceeds £35,000. In this case, you must be able to demonstrate an inability to begin your training without the bursary. Where necessary, priority will be given to those who are over the age of 24 and, therefore, unable to take up a Dance and Drama Award.
We are so pleased to be able to extend our bursary provision at OSD. We recognise that the demand for financial support is more significant than ever. The Ashley Family Foundation has enabled us to make a lasting difference in the lives of two young actors, and for that, we couldn’t be more grateful. These bursaries also form part of our commitment to widening participation in the arts. We hope to continue engaging with communities that have historically felt underserved by the Arts sector, and we think these bursaries will be a fantastic path forward for our commitment to widening participation.
You can read more about The Ashley Family Foundation and its goals here.
The Ashley Family bursaries are not the only drama school bursaries available to those considering training at OSD. You can learn more about our other bursaries on our Funding and Fees page.
If you feel the Ashley Family Bursaries are right for you, our applications for September 2025 are open now!
Please note that these bursaries are for incoming One and Three Year Course students, meaning you must hold an offer to join one of our courses.
