Ronan Keating has revealed his plan to help the next wave of musicians and industry professionals, backing a Master’s scholarship to help people achieve their dreams
Ronan found fame aged just 16 and has sold over 20 million records(Image: PA)
Ronan Keating has launched a huge plan to benefit students. The musician who found fame as one fifth of mega boyband, Boyzone, achieved success with his pals but later became a star in his own right, having risen to fame aged just 16 as co-lead singer of the band.
The 49-year-old has sold over 20 million records across the globe as a solo artist, alongside the 25 million he sold with Boyzone. But while Ronan has achieved astronomical success, he acknowledges that this isn’t always possible for the next generation.
And while the entertainment industry is often flooded with people whose parents are famous or have a “foot in the door,” Ronan is set to change this. The Dublin-born star has now launched a fully-funded Master’s scholarship, The Ronan Keating Scholarship, aimed at supporting the next generation of music professionals, with WaterBear – The College of Music.
Ronan Keating has revealed a major plan to help the next wave of music professionals(Image: Tony Mott)
One successful candidate will win The Ronan Keating Scholarship to study for a Master’s Degree(Image: Kate Hunter )
The scholarship will offer one aspiring musician or industry professional the opportunity to study a one-year Master’s degree with full tuition covered. Currently, Master’s degree tuition fees range from around £4,575 to £14,500, according to the Government website.
Courses available include Songwriting, Music Business, Education, and Music Performance, Production & Business, and will be offered in person at WaterBear’s campuses in Sheffield or Brighton, or online. Speaking about the scholarship programme, Ronan said: “This scholarship is very much for those of you who’ve put quite a few years into your music career and know what you want.
“I want to help you progress to the next level. Having a career in music is not just about getting your foot in the door; it’s about longevity. It’s about having a long career, but also a long-term plan and a vision.
“This scholarship is there to support that for those of you who know what you want. Get yourself involved, and together, I hope to see you grow and have a long career in the music industry.”
With a career spanning more than three decades, Ronan will offer first-hand insight into what it takes to build and maintain a successful career in the industry.
His own journey reflects the longevity he wants new music professionals to have, and the scholarship will focus on supporting progression and helping applicants transition from early momentum into a long, sustainable pathway into the industry.
Chief Marketing Officer at WaterBear Music College, Eve Massaad said: “This scholarship is about removing barriers and giving someone with real talent and ambition the opportunity to develop both creatively and professionally. Working with Ronan brings an added level of experience and credibility that will genuinely inspire the next generation of artists coming through.”
Applications for the scholarship are open now and close on June 30, and those applying are required to submit a personal statement detailing their background, their music and their future ambitions in the industry, along with examples of their work in written or video format.The successful applicant will be revealed on August 7, and their studies will commence just weeks later for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. Ronan’s scholarship builds on WaterBear’s wider scholarship programmes, which have supported artists through various partnerships, including Tramlines Festival.
