These requirements are for students auditioning to start their studies at the Academy in September 2012. Until specified otherwise, these requirements also apply for auditions in future years. Some audition requirements may change: please check back here regularly. You are welcome to contact the Registry or the department administrator if you have any queries. The closing date for receipt of applications is in our ‘Key Dates’ list.

In most cases auditions will last from 15 to 20 minutes. As time is limited for some auditions, you may be interrupted before you have performed a complete piece.

Undergraduate Vocal Studies

You should prepare three items in contrasting styles and moods, one of which must be an oratorio aria demonstrating vocal agility (with recitative if possible). One item should be sung in a language foreign to you. You may be required to sing only two of the prepared works.

Postgraduate Vocal Studies

Postgraduate Vocal Studies students follow either the Master of Arts programme or a Master of Music programme. For your audition you should prepare an operatic aria, an oratorio aria and two contrasting works of your own choice from the song repertoire. One item must be sung in English or English translation.

Royal Academy Opera

All aspiring postgraduate operatic candidates should apply for Royal Academy Opera, which is a Master of Arts programme. When applying, select the MA 2 year programme and please give your voice type suffixed with ‘Opera’.

For your audition you should prepare four contrasting operatic arias in a variety of languages, one of which must be sung in English or English translation.

If the audition panel feels you are not yet ready for entry to this specialist postgraduate programme, you may be offered a place on the Preparatory Opera Course (this is incorporated within the Postgraduate Vocal Studies course) with a view to auditioning again for Royal Academy Opera in the following year.

Musical Theatre

Please see the Auditions and Entry Requirements page. Audition details can also be obtained from the Musical Theatre office.

If you are auditioning to become an undergraduate:

1. Musicianship and keyboard skills tests may be required.

These normally are a set of tests of increasing difficulty. The Academy regrets that it cannot issue specimen tests. Please bring a short piano piece to demonstrate your level of keyboard skills.

2. Written paper for undergraduates (BMus, Year-In, Organ Foundation)

You will be required to take a 50-minute written paper which comprises harmonisation of a simple melody and a choice of short essay questions of a general musical nature. You will be permitted to use a dictionary. Sorry, we cannot issue specimen papers.

Master of Music (MMus) applications:

There are specific requirements for written work which must be sent to the Registry to support your application.