How to Apply (Non-EU)

Your audition

Audition format

• Auditions/interviews at the RCM are approximately 15–20 minutes long
• For some instruments, including voice, you may be asked to perform at a second audition on the same day
• For details of set pieces, please see Audition Pieces
• Technical work (scales, arpeggios etc) may be required of some instrumentalists. Sight-reading may be required of all performers
• The RCM does not require advance notice of your audition programme
• You are advised to bring your own accompanist, with whom you will have worked in preparation for your audition. However, if you are unable to do so, an accompanist can be provided by the RCM.
• The RCM does not need to know in advance whether you will be accompanied by your own accompanist or by an RCM accompanist
• Equal Opportunities and applicants with disabilities: The College operates an Equal Opportunities Policy and welcomes applications from all students, including those with disabilities. Applicants who wish to discuss requirements for their audition are invited to contact the Student Services Manager, Lynnette Easterbrook (Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 4316) in order that the appropriate arrangements can be made.

When and where

Auditions in London

• Applications should be submitted by 1 October 2012
• Late applications will be accepted only if there is space in the audition schedule
• Most auditions will be held in London between 26 November and 12 December 2012, although some applicants may be asked to audition in February 2013
• If you are auditioning in the December audition period, you will be notified of your audition date and time in mid-November and you will be told the result of your audition in late December via the CUKAS Track system
• If you are auditioning in February you will be notified of your audition date and time in January and you will be told the result of your audition in late February via the CUKAS Track system

Auditions in the USA

• The RCM holds auditions in New York and Boston in February or March
• Applications should be submitted through CUKAS by 5 January 2013
• Applicants auditioning in the USA can be considered for scholarships as well as places
• USA auditions are not available for opera, conducting, repetiteur, lute, percussion or organ
• Auditions for these principal studies are held only in London
• For more information, email admissions@rcm.ac.uk, or telephone +44 (0)20 7591 4362  

Auditions in Asia  

• The RCM is holding auditions in Seoul on 10 November (Seoul National University) and Tokyo on 2 November (H Matsuo’s studios), in Hong Kong and Singapore in January, and in China in March
• Applications from Seoul and Tokyo should be submitted through CUKAS by 15th October 2012
• Applications from Hong Kong, Singapore and China should be submitted through CUKAS by 31 October 2012
• Applicants auditioning in Asia can be considered for scholarships as well as places
• Auditions in Asia are not available for opera, conducting, repetiteur, lute or percussion. Auditions for these principal studies are held only in London
• For more information email: international@rcm.ac.uk, or telephone +44 (0)20 7591 4377

Auditions by DVD for international applicants

The RCM prefers you to audition in person, but international applicants from outside the European Union may audition by DVD, unless they are conductors, repetiteurs, opera singers, organists, percussionists or lute applicants.

Applicants who are auditioned by DVD cannot normally be considered for RCM scholarships. If you wish to be auditioned by DVD, please complete the online application at www.cukas.ac.uk. Once you have submitted your online application you should then send the following directly to the RCM:

• A DVD recording of your performance of the prescribed pieces for your instrument or, where applicable three contrasting pieces of a similar standard. For set pieces see Audition Pieces. The recording should be of good quality and must be an unedited single performance of your audition pieces. Your recording will not be returned to you
• A letter that states that the performance is your own unaided work, signed by the recording engineer, your Principal Study teacher, Head of Department or Head Teacher
• A photocopy of the marks and examiner’s comments in the highest examination that you have taken of ABRSM or other internationally recognised examinations body