Audition Requirements | Royal Academy of Music

Please see Filling In Your Application For UK Conservatoires via UCAS for further assistance with this process.

These details are for students applying to start their studies at the Academy in September 2024.

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 Admissions Team or the department administrator if you have any queries.

2 October deadline, 6pm UK time:
deadline for all candidates for London or Video auditions to submit the UCAS Conservatoires application.

Then:

27 October deadline (midday UK time):

London in-person candidates: deadline to create your profile in the Acceptd portal, with your referee contact details, and any written requirements required for your course choice (postgraduate courses only, see below).
Video candidates: deadline to upload audition recordings (including the spoken English introduction) into the Acceptd portal, details are on our video auditions page. You will need to create a profile in the Acceptd portal into which you put your referee contact details, and upload:
- your audition recording
- the list of all the works in your audition programme
- any written requirements (see below) and
- your spoken English introduction.

We are holding auditions in New York during February 2024 for candidates from North and South America who cannot travel to London for their audition. The deadline for UCAS Conservatoires and Acceptd for New York is 8 January 2024 midday UK time. Please see "International Auditions" on the Your Application page.

You should offer a free-choice programme of original ensemble piano repertoire, that includes at least 20 minutes of vocal repertoire and at least 20 minutes of instrumental music. There is no requirement for solo repertoire.
The programme should last at least 40 minutes and include a wide diversity of character and style, as well as evidence of technical accomplishment. This can include movements rather than complete works (ie a movement of a sonata). We suggest including music in a classical style; a romantic work; and something 20th century or contemporary.

Live auditions

In the live audition the audition panel will ask you to choose one item from the programme, and then the panel will select any further items they wish to hear. You will also be required to take a sight-reading test.

Video auditions

Please perform the entire programme. It is not necessary to record this in a single take.

Soloists

You are expected to provide your own soloist/s.

If you have selected a live audition in London but cannot bring a soloist, please contact the Academy Admissions Team no later than 2 weeks before your interview date.

The Academy will provide soloists with no charge for the following programme, and you will be able to rehearse with the soloists in the 60 minutes directly preceding your audition:

Instrumental:
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano and Violin in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2 (complete)
Vocal: (High Key)

Schubert "Der Musensohn"

Schubert "Im Frühling"

Schumann: "Mondnacht"

Debussy: "Green"

Brahms "Botschaft"

Barber "St. Ita's Vision"

You should prepare a programme of songs and/or instrumental works (minimum 45 minutes).

London auditions

At the audition the panel will select from your programme within the time limits available, but you may specify one work which you particularly wish to perform.

Video auditions

Please perform the entire programme. It is not necessary to record this in a single take.

Soloists

You are expected to provide your own soloist/s.

All courses

You may be asked to have a subsequent interview with one of the postgraduate programme tutors where you can discuss your study plans.

Academic written requirements

Applicants for the Master of Music (MMus), Professional Diploma (ProfDip) and Advanced Diploma (Performance) courses need to submit written requirements, please view these on the entry requirements page of the website. You do not need to submit any written work for an MA application.

All Master of Music candidates are automatically considered for Master of Arts, so if you are also interested in MA study you should only apply for MMus because there will only be one audition.

You are not tied to the programme choice in your application; the programme length and pathway can be discussed and adjusted as appropriate.