Six MFA Scholarships

Six scholarships for the MFA in Film Scoring for Motion Pictures and Contemporary Media are awarded annually by the Society of Composers & Lyricists, the European Recording Orchestra (ERO), and industry leaders like Oscar winner Mychael Danna and orchestrator Conrad Pope.

The Society of Composers & Lyricists Scholarship

€17,500

The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) is a professional organisation that represents composers, lyricists, and songwriters who create music for film, television, video games, and other media. The SCL provides a community and support network for its members, offering opportunities for networking, education, advocacy, and recognition. It aims to promote the interests of music creators and advance their rights, as well as to enhance the role of music in media. Each year, in coordination with the FSAE Admissions Board, the SCL selects one outstanding MFA applicant to be named the SCL Scholarship Recipient.

ERO Work-Study Scholarships

(2x) €5,000

Two ERO Work-Study scholarships will be awarded in exchange for score and parts preparation for ERO recording sessions

Conrad Pope Scholarship

€5,000

One Conrad Pope Scholarship Recipient will be chosen by the Admissions Board and Conrad Pope himself

Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Memorial Scholarship

€5,000

One Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship Recipient will be chosen by the Admissions Board and the family of Jan A. P. Kaczmarek

Mychael Danna Scholarship

€5,000

One Mychael Danna Scholarship Recipient will be chosen by the Admissions Board and Mychael Danna himself

Scholarships range in value from €5,000 to €18,475 and are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential.

No additional application material is required to apply for a scholarship, as the Admissions Board will use your MFA application to assess your suitability for a scholarship. However, we recommend that you submit as broad a portfolio as possible as part of your MFA application, demonstrating as much variety and creativity as possible to enhance your chances of being selected as a scholarship recipient.

Mostafa Sarbazi Azad - Iran - SCL Scholarship
Joost Diederen - Netherlands - Mychael Danna Scholarship
Isak Lundberg - Sweden - Conrad Pope Scholarship
Stefano DAmico - Italy - Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Scholarship
Luc Herrmann - Canada - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
Pablo Narvaez - Colombia - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
Alessandro Speciale - Italy - Christopher Young Scholarship
Elizaveta Zharikova - Russia - SCL Scholarship
Karina Rivero - Mexico - Jan A- P- Kaczmarek Scholarship
Lisa Braathen - Norway - Mychael Danna Scholarship
Sean van Doornum - Australia - Conrad Pope Scholarship
Erin Potgieter - ERO Work-Study Scholarship
Marco Salamida SCL Scholarship
Jon Dudagoitia - Spain - Andy Hill Scholarship
Mauro Caspanello - Conrad Pope Scholarship
Maya Harrigan - Bulgaria - Andy Hill Scholarship
Trimor Dhomi - Kosovo - Jan A- P- Kaczmarek Scholarship
Tania Vanegas - Sweden - Alliance for Women Film Composers Scholarship

Mostafa Sarbazi Azad (Iran)
SCL Scholarship
Joost Diederen (The Netherlands)

Mychael Danna Scholarship
Isak Lundberg (Sweden)

Conrad Pope Scholarship
Stefano D'Amico (Italy)

Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Scholarship
Luc Herrmann (Canada)

ERO Work-Study Scholarship
Leo Puentes (Colombia)

ERO Work-Study Scholarship
Parker Phinney (USA)

Andy Hill Scholarship

Pablo Narváez (Colombia)

ERO Work-Study Scholarship
Alessandro Speciale (Italy)

Christopher Young Scholarship
Elizaveta Zharikova (Russia)

SCL Scholarship
Karina Rivero (Mexico)

Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship
Lisa Braathen (Norway)

Mychael Danna Scholarship

Sean van Doornum (Australia)

Conrad Pope Scholarship
Erin Potgieter (South Africa)

ERO Work-Study Scholarship
Marco Salamida (Italy)

SCL Scholarship
Jon Dudagoitia (Spain)

Andy Hill Scholarship
Mauro Caspanello (Italy)

Conrad Pope Scholarship

Maya Harrigan (Bulgaria)

Andy Hill Scholarship
Trimor Dhomi (Kosovo)

Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship
Tania Vanegas (Sweden)

Alliance for Women Film Composers Scholarship
Maria Zaharenia (Greece)

Conrad Pope Scholarship

Rosetta Bachofner (Switzerland)

Alliance for Women Film Composers Scholarship
Eiji John Mitsuta (Japan)

Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Scholarship
Henrik Lindström (Sweden)

Mychael Danna Scholarship
Jonas Christensen (Sweden)

Oticons Faculty Scholarship
Fabrizio Riso (Italy)

Conrad Pope Scholarship
Jianguo Wan (China)

Andy Hill Scholarship Scholarship

Tuition and Fees

2024-2025 MFA Program Tuition: €36,950

Tuition Schedule

Program Deposit: €2,000 (Due Immediately to Enroll)
Tuition Downpayment: €5,000 (Due June 1, 2024)
Payment 1: €11,950 (Due September 1, 2024)
Payment 2: €9,000 (Due December 1, 2024)
Payment 3: €9,000 (Due March 1, 2025)

The MFA program at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe is the most affordable full-time Masters program in film & game scoring available today, while simultaneously offering more recording sessions than any other program in the world, thanks to our partnership with the European Recording Orchestra (ERO).

Be sure to check out the "Costs of Living in Sofia" dropdown to see how much more affordable Sofia is compared to other major European and American cities.

Financial Aid

Students from the United States can take advantage of the FAFSA Federal Student Aid program. For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

More Financial Aid Programs:

All students searching for scholarships should search this website: https://www.wemakescholars.com
Norway: Lanekassen - https://www.lanekassen.no/
Colombia: Colfuturo - https://www.colfuturo.org/
South Africa: National Film and Television Foundation (NFVF) - https://www.nfvf.co.za/home/
South Africa: Oppenheimer Trust - https://www.omt.org.za/

2024-2025 Academic Calendar

Two semesters of course work with a third semester dedicated to the Major Project.

2024-2025 Academic Calendar

Semester 1 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Sept. 16, 2024 - Semester 1 commences
Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 20 - Final day of classes
Dec. 23 - Winter break

Semester 2 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Jan. 6, 2025 - Semester 2 commences
May 30 - Final day of classes
May 31 - Semester 2 ends

Semester 3 - Presence in Sofia Optional
June 1, 2025 - Semester 3 commences
Aug. 31 - Semester 3 ends

Costs of living in Sofia

Costs of living in Sofia are extremely low in comparison to other major European and American cities. Exponentially cheaper than LA, NYC, London, Valencia, or Boston, while maintaining a comfortable standard of living.

Sofia, Bulgaria compared to other cities that are home to Film Scoring Masters degrees:
73% lower than New York City
65% lower than London
64% lower than Los Angeles
66% lower than Boston
30% lower than Valencia

For more information on comparing prices between cities, visit www.numbeo.com

The Film Scoring Academy of Europe has real estate agents in Sofia that work to help MFA students find accommodation that fits their needs and budget.

MFA Students who wish to live together will be able to find shared accommodation for as low as €150 - €200 per month.

MFA Students who wish to live alone will be able to find accommodation for as low as €350 - €400 per month.

Technology Requirements

Technology Requirements:

Avid Pro Tools 12
DAW (Logic Pro X, Cubase, Digital Performer, etc.)
NI Kontakt Full
Serum by Xfer Records
High Quality Reference Headphones
Industry Standard Orchestral Sample Libraries

Technology Recommendations:

Apple Macbook Pro (minimum quad-core, 16GB ram, internal SSD)
Cinematic Studio Series samples (CS Strings, CS Brass, CS Woodwinds)
NotePerformer Playback Engine
Spectrasonics Omnisphere
Soundtoys, Slate Digital, or Waves Mixing Suite
Minimum 1TB External SSD for Sound Libraries
MIDI Keyboard (for home use)

All students will receive a copy of Steinberg's revolutionary notation and scoring software, Dorico Pro. Students will also have access to a hardware station in the Film Scoring Academy of Europe headquarters that is equipped with a Nektar 61-key MIDI keyboard (with sustain pedal), a 24" curved external display, a Scarlett Solo Audio Interface, ethernet and power connectivity and a powered USB hub.

Visa Requirements

Accepted students from the EU do not need a Visa. They will simply need to establish residency upon arrival in Sofia, which our team will assist with.

Accepted students from outside the EU will require a Type-D Student Visa. Assistance on this process will be provided by our Visa Officer after a student officially enrolls. It is advisable that accepted students from outside the EU begin preparing the Student Visa requirements listed on the Bulgarian Embassy website in their country as soon as possible, as this process can take a substantial amount of time.

Six MFA Scholarships

The Society of Composers & Lyricists Scholarship

ERO Work-Study Scholarships

Conrad Pope Scholarship

Jan A. P. Kaczmarek Memorial Scholarship

Mychael Danna Scholarship

Meet some of the composers who have been awarded scholarships in the past:

2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients

2021-2022 Scholarship Recipients

2020-2021 Scholarship Recipients

2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients

2021-2022 Scholarship Recipients

2020-2021 Scholarship Recipients

2019-2020 Scholarship Recipients

Have questions about this programme?

Additional Information: Master of Fine Arts