16/09/2026
New Game of Thrones Studio Tour bursary to open the door to Northern Ireland's screen industry for hundreds of pupils
Education initiative targets schools with 40% or more pupils entitled to Free School Meals, helping broaden access to creative careers
A new education transport bursary is set to help hundreds of young people from across Northern Ireland experience the region's world-renowned screen industry, removing one of the biggest barriers preventing schools from taking educational visits.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour has launched a £15,000 Education Transport Bursary for the 2026/27 academic year, funding coach travel for eligible schools to visit the attraction at Linen Mill Studios, Banbridge.
The initiative has been created in response to rising transport costs, which have increasingly prevented schools from accessing educational experiences beyond the classroom, despite many of the subjects explored at the Studio Tour supporting the curriculum, including Moving Image Arts, Drama, Art and Design, English, Business Studies and Tourism.
While inspired by the award-winning HBO series, Game of Thrones Studio Tour celebrates the extraordinary creativity behind its production, from costume and set design to visual effects, prosthetics, props and artistic direction, making it an educational experience suitable for school groups of all ages.
By covering transport costs, the new bursary aims to give more pupils the opportunity to experience the creative industries first-hand, while inspiring the next generation of storytellers, designers, technicians and filmmakers.
The scheme is specifically targeted at schools serving communities facing higher levels of socio-economic disadvantage, with applications open to schools where at least 40 per cent of pupils are entitled to Free School Meals. The focus reflects the Studio Tour's ambition to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent young people from accessing enriching educational experiences.
Colin McCrory, Business Development Manager at Game of Thrones Studio Tour, said: "Transport costs have become one of the biggest obstacles preventing schools from taking educational trips. In many cases, the cost of hiring a coach is greater than the cost of admission itself.
"We don't want geography or school budgets to determine which young people get to experience Northern Ireland's incredible screen industry. This bursary is about creating opportunities, broadening horizons and giving pupils the chance to step inside an industry that continues to grow right here on their doorstep.
"For many students, particularly those with an interest in the creative arts, media or film production, a visit to the Studio Tour could be the moment that sparks an ambition or career they had never previously considered."
Jim Quinn, Company Director, J&K Coaches Ltd added: “J&K Coaches are proud to partner with Game of Thrones Studio Tour as the preferred transport supplier for the launch of their Education Transport Bursary programme. We recognise the value of giving students the opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom and see the school curriculum brought to life in a real-world creative environment. The launch of this programme offers students an exciting way to enrich subjects such as Moving Image Arts and Art and Design, among other areas of the curriculum, while also allowing them to experience first hand the skills, creativity and collaboration behind a major screen production.”
Northern Ireland has become internationally recognised as a centre for film and television production, with the success of Game of Thrones helping establish the region as one of Europe's leading screen industry destinations.
The Studio Tour, located at the original filming location where much of the HBO series was created, offers students a behind-the-scenes insight into how the show was made.
The bursary will fund transport for selected schools visiting between October 2026 and March 2027. Schools remain responsible for admission costs, with optional industry-led workshops available to further enhance the educational experience.
Applications are open until 30 September 2026.
The launch comes as Game of Thrones Studio Tour continues to invest in improving accessibility for all visitors. Construction is currently underway on a new £500,000 on-site car park, due to open later this year, allowing visitors to park directly beside the attraction for the first time and removing the need for the existing shuttle bus service from The Boulevard. The investment will make visits even more convenient for schools, families and coach operators alike.
For eligibility criteria and application details, visit Education Bursary - Game of Thrones Studio Tour
