Applications for the sixth round of scholarship to the University of Westminster’s MA in Music Business Management are now open for 2023, with the scholarship pot more than double the value of last year’s.
The Richard Antwi Scholarship was established in 2016 in memory of late British music executive Richard Antwi. Antwi was a hugely respected industry lawyer, manager and entrepreneur, who had contributed to the Music Business Management MA course as a guest lecturer.
The scholarship provides a pathway into professional careers for aspiring music industry executives by providing full course fees, awarded in conjunction with the University of Westminster.
For its sixth year, the scholarship offers an additional ‘London Living Wage Stipend’ to cover the higher current cost of living and studying in London.
It includes a bursary and stipend totaling GBP £22,000, plus mentorship and assistance with work placement that will be aligned with the scholar’s professional focus and aspirations.
Last year, the scholarship provided a bursary of £10,500. The more than doubled scholarship value for this year was made possible through funding from Universal Music UK, Universal Publishing UK, Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK.
“There is still a clear need for the scholarship, and in the current economic climate, more funding was needed for a young person to live in London, especially those from low income backgrounds which are the hardest hit.”
Phillip Antwi
The Music Business Management MA course serves as a bridge between academic study, research and the professional world of music business. It prepares students to become the next generation of music industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
The deadline for applications is on June 30.
The scholarship’s Industry Champions and close friends of Richard Antwi including Alec Boateng (Co-President, 0207 Def Jam) and Taponeswa Mavunga (Director of Africa, Sony Music UK) have lent their support to encourage ambitious talent to apply for the scholarship.
Alec Boateng, co-President, 0207 Def Jam, said: “Richard would be so proud of all that his scholarship has achieved, I just know if he was here he’d be mentoring each of the scholars. I’m really proud to still be supporting the Richard Antwi Scholarship, it continues to empower careers that are just beginning in the music business.
“Idris Green Holder, the Universal Music UK scholar is doing great in our label team, I love to see it. If you want to get support to study and receive all the funding and tools for a career as a music industry leader, then you need get to the open day and find out more.”
Taponeswa Mavunga, Director of Africa, Sony Music UK, added: “Every year when the scholarship opens for applications, I feel honored to be asked to support it. I miss Richard so much and think of him often, but I am glad to be connected to and support his legacy.”
“This year, it’s great to see an even bigger pot of funding available to support a young person studying in London at this time, and I’m really happy that Sony Music UK are among the funders. It shows Richard’s influence and how much affection there is for him and what the scholarship represents. I urge anyone interested to get down to the open day, it could change your life.”
Phillip Antwi, Richard’s brother, expressed his gratitude towards the funders and said that the scholarship’s new London Living Wage Stipend was essential to meet the high cost of living in London, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.
“There is still a clear need for the scholarship, and in the current economic climate, more funding was needed for a young person to live in London, especially those from low-income backgrounds which are the hardest hit. So huge thanks to all our generous funders who have enabled us to offer the new ‘London Living Wage’ stipend. We know that Richard would love to see the industry careers that have been forged by the scholarship,” Phillip Antwi said.
He added: “It has been seven years since Richard’s passing, and I am endlessly blown away by seeing his legacy and vision still alive and making a difference through his Scholarship. My family and I are humbled to see that Richard’s scholarship stays true to its purpose and now opens for its sixth round.”
“It allows us not only to honor and pay tribute to my very special brother and his values, but also to help bring about a more equitable industry for underrepresented young talent with all the drive and ambition, but not the access and opportunities they so deserve.”
“This year, it’s great to see an even bigger pot of funding available to support a young person studying in London at this time, and I’m really happy that Sony Music UK are among the funders.”
Taponeswa Mavunga, Sony Music UK
Last year’s scholarship was awarded to Janelle Mitchell, a London-based DJ and emerging music executive at Believe. Mitchell said the scholarship has been “life-changing” for her.
“The amount of knowledge and networking opportunities that I have been exposed to have been so valuable to my development and I’m so excited to embark on the next chapter of my career once I graduate,” Mitchell added.
In 2021, as the scholarship resumed following the pandemic-induced hiatus in 2020, two scholars were named: Shanice Edwards and Idris Green-Holder.
“The Richard Antwi Scholarship helped to give me a visibility within the music industry would have been extremely hard to attain without years of experience. Opening doors and giving me opportunities that have given my career a boost that is hard to measure for its impact on my life,” said Green-Holder.
Edwards now works at Sony Music, while Green-Holder received a scholarship supported by Universal Music UK and is now working at 0207 Def Jam.
Previous scholars include inaugural recipient Jojo Mukeza (2018), Esther Bokuma (2019) who has now joined the Scholarship team, as well as associate scholars, Daniel Beckley and Isatta Sheriff.
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