BUDDING songwriters are being given the chance to apply for a scholarship sponsored by Renfrewshire music sensation Paolo Nutini.

The University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) Paolo Nutini Scholarship is offering a fully funded place on the institution’s acclaimed Masters in Music.

The grant will provide a promising songwriter with funding of £5,500 towards tuition fees.

Paolo, an honorary doctor of UWS and Paisley native, established the scholarship in 2018 to support the next generation of songwriting talent.

Alix Adair, this year's scholar, believes the grant opened up many new opportunities. 

She said: "Having my studies funded meant I was able to invest in other projects, such as furthering my own visual-music content creation company, Ocular Sound, and accepting an internship with a music publishing company – a career path I hope to further explore alongside my own songwriting in the following years.

"Being this year's scholar has also been a huge confidence boost in my writing, and it has encouraged me to continue to experiment with sound, form and concept."

Students on the programme will have access to industry standard broadcasting and recording facilities, and are taught by academics including members of bands such as Love and Money, Deacon Blue and the Pearlfishers.

David Scott, senior lecturer and tutor on the MA in Music at UWS, said he was "thrilled" with the success of the scholarship.

He added: "Our Masters in Music is a vibrant, creative community of musicians, and the scholarship helps a talented songwriter to undertake studies with us at the University, regardless of financial background."

Applicants for the UWS Masters in Music are automatically considered for the scholarship, but are encouraged to set out why they should be considered as the Paolo Nutini Scholar in their application.

For more information about the course, visit uws.ac.uk.