Overview
Gap year students are considered as fully-enrolled members of the Academy’s student body, and have equal access to the Academy’s resources (library, computers, practice rooms etc).
This course is for you if you are about to complete your secondary school (High School) studies and either wish to spend a year at the Academy before taking up a full-time undergraduate programme of study at another institution, or if you would like to receive Academy training but do not require a full programme of study that leads to a degree.
The course principles are:
- To enable students to benefit from one year of conservatoire education
- To provide a tailor-made course of study according to the strengths and needs of each individual student
- To offer the same performance opportunities provided for degree students (with the approval of the Academic Tutor and Head of Programme)
- To offer appropriate academic subjects in consultation with the Academic Tutor and Head of Programme
- To assess practical and/or academic progress by examination
- To provide a transcript of studies showing completed modules (but no degree or other award)
Entry Requirements
- Performance/Composition: High standard of performing potential or composition, strong musicianship, and good aural skills.
- Music Exams: Formal exams are not required, but successful performers are typically at a Grade 8 Distinction level or higher.
- Music Theory: Grade 6 level knowledge is recommended before starting if you aren't taking school music exams.
- Keyboard Skills: No formal minimum required (unless it's your Principal Study), though Grade 5 piano is desirable to support general musicianship.
See Entry Requirements for full academic and international criteria.
Auditions
We view your audition as a creative performance rather than a strict examination. Our panel of early music specialists is eager to see your musical potential, your curiosity for historical performance practices, and your unique artistic voice. Relax, trust your preparation, and share your musicality with us.
Your Audition Repertoire & Setup
For your undergraduate audition, you must prepare a short performance programme that highlights your stylistic fluency and technical capability.
Repertoire Guidelines:
- Selection: Prepare two or three contrasting pieces of your own choice.
- Duration: Your total selected music must be between 8 to 10 minutes long.
Instrument Tuning & Venue Specifics (London Live Auditions)
Our live audition rooms are optimized for period-accurate performance:
- Harpsichord: A harpsichord tuned to A=415 is standard and automatically available in the audition room.
- Fortepiano or Modern Piano: A fortepiano tuned to A=430 or a modern piano tuned to A=440 can be provided upon request. If you require either of these instruments, you must contact admissions@ram.ac.uk at least two weeks before your audition date.
Please note: Due to venue limitations at our regional hubs outside the UK, it may not be possible to hold live Historical Performance auditions at international centres. Please email admissions to verify capability before planning travel.
What to Expect on Audition Day
1. Delivery Options & Requirements
- In-Person (London): You will perform your repertoire live for our panel. If your pieces require keyboard accompaniment, the Academy will provide a professional historical accompanist. You will be sent a link approximately two weeks before your audition to upload PDF copies of your specific sheet music editions.
- Video Auditions: If you are auditioning remotely, you must upload your video recordings to the Acceptd portal (individual pieces may be recorded as separate video files). Your profile must also include a written statement outlining your musical background, training, and career ambitions.
- The Spoken Video Introduction: As part of your digital profile, your spoken English introduction should specifically address your choice of audition repertoire, how it suits your playing style, and how your knowledge of historical performance practice has influenced your interpretation.
2. Academic Interview & Aural Skills Assessment
All undergraduate candidates will have a subsequent interview with a member of our academic staff. This is a conversational session to discuss your future study plans, musical interests, and goals.
During this session, you will explore a short extract of music and complete an Aural Skills Assessment to evaluate your fundamental musicianship:
- Sight-singing a short test melody.
- Singing the middle notes in a played chord.
- Identification of musical intervals.
- Sight-reading of rhythms.
- Simultaneous polyrhythms: Sight-reading two different rhythms at the same time (singing one rhythm while clapping the other simultaneously).
Please note: Specimen tests are not published or distributed in advance.
For more information see auditions.