Does our MA course qualify for US Federal financial aid?
Although the university is certified to administer Direct Loans (FAFSA), as a Foreign School, it is not permitted to process loans for students on distance learning courses.
This is in the US Dept of Education Regulations for Foreign Schools and, although distance learning support is permitted within the U.S. itself, the same regulation does not apply for schools based outside the U.S. This can often cause confusion when you call the FAFSA helpline as their operatives themselves are sometimes unaware of the different regulation.
Note that neither Voice Study Centre or University of Essex is involved in the FAFSA process, and if you have any queries regarding FAFSA then you should consult Student Aid.
Recent Posts
After The Session
After The Session: Pop Pedagogy - an Overview with Kim Chandler
Voice Study Centre
Wednesday 28th October 2026A recap of our recent session with Kim Chandler, broadcast live from a recording studio in Marbella, southern Spain. When a session singer, industry vocal coach and academic walks into one room, you get a very particular kind of masterclass. Kim brought all three hats to our latest short course, a two-hour "whistle-stop tour" of the 15 areas she believes a pop-specific vocal pedagogy should cover. Fittingly, she taught it from the very room where the vocals for Kung Fu Fighting in Kung Fu Panda 3 were recorded.
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Student Interviews
Negotiating Authenticity: Tre Cooper Explores Cross-Genre Singing and Stylistic Decision-Making
Voice Study Centre
Friday 23rd October 2026What does it mean for a singer to sound authentic when performing in a genre outside their usual style? And how can voice teachers help singers develop stylistic versatility without losing their individual artistic identity?
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After The Session
After The Session: Practical Magic*: The Art & Science of Balancing Voices with SOVTs and VFEs with Melanie Tapson
Voice Study Centre
Thursday 22nd October 2026What makes a vocal exercise effective? Is it the tool itself, the way we use it, or our understanding of what happens when we put it into practice? In Practical Magic: The Art & Science of Balancing Voices with SOVTs and VFEs, voice teacher and professional singer Melanie Tapson explored the science behind two widely used approaches to voice training: Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises (SOVTs) and Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs). Combining scientific explanations with practical demonstrations and interactive activities, the session examined how these techniques can support vocal efficiency, stamina and sustainable voice use.
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