Audition Requirements

Research applications are assessed in two stages. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, in London or online, in early March. Depending on the nature of the proposed project and the range of materials submitted in the application we may also require an audition, for which you will receive separate notification.

After submitting your UCAS Conservatoires application (course code 950F, Research Degree), upload the following supporting items into the Acceptd portal [Programme group: Doctoral Studies] by 31 January:

In the 'Written Work' section:

• Curriculum Vitae in PDF or Word format, including your education and academic background from age 11 (name of education institution, start and finish dates (month/year) and awards gained, details of your experience as a performer or composer;
• Personal Statement giving your reasons and purposes for pursuing a research degree, your career aspirations, and details of how you plan to finance your fees and living expenses for the duration of the study programme;
• Thesis Proposal: a synopsis of your proposed thesis (around 2000 words) with an account of the aims of your research project and the methodologies with which you plan support it, including the proposed methods of linking conceptual and practical outcomes.
  Composition candidates: you are not required to upload the thesis proposal by 31 January. Instead, those candidates who pass the initial selection stage should prepare a thesis proposal before the formal interview in March (see notes below) and will be asked to add the proposal to their Acceptd profile before their interview date.
• Two examples of your recent academic written work

Plus your spoken English introduction and:

• Performance Practice candidates: any relevant recordings
• Composition candidates: PDF scores of at least four pieces for a variety of forces, with recordings if available

You should input the names of your referees when completing your UCAS Conservatoires application but please tick the option for 'send directly to the conservatoire' and do not ask them to send paper or email references. Instead, use the Acceptd portal to request electronic references, you will need the name and email address of each referee.
Current Academy students only need provide one academic reference, from their current academic Tutor whose details can be put into both of the referee fields in Acceptd.

Assessment and Interview: Competition for places at the Academy is intense, and applications for the Research Degree are processed in two stages. The files listed above are subject to an initial assessment by the entry panel via the Acceptd portal; if your application passes this stage, you will be invited to attend for interview in London.

The interviews will be in early March. If you have any queries, please contact Dr Tom Reid, Postgraduate Programmes and Research Administrator