Your experience will depend on your specialism and your chosen audition location.
Most candidates audition at the RCM in London. We also offer auditions at a number of venues overseas. The audition process differs between venues. If you are unable to attend in person, you have the option to audition by video. You are advised to read the information below carefully.
Every student undertakes principal study in their main specialism, which lies at the heart of their RCM experience. You can audition for the following principal studies. Please note that research degrees have their own set of requirements.
Expand the options below to find out the audition requirements for each principal study.
Applicants should prepare:
Candidates should choose their first piece, and the audition panel will select any additional work(s). Please note the audition panel may choose to hear only two of the three pieces.
Applicants should prepare:
Candidates should choose their first piece, and the audition panel will select any additional work(s). Please note the audition panel may choose to hear only two of the three pieces.
Applicants should prepare:
Candidates should choose their first piece, and the audition panel will select any additional work(s). Please note the audition panel may choose to hear only two of the four pieces.
In most cases you only need to bring yourself and music for you and your accompanist.
You cannot bring a page-turner, your teacher or a translator into your audition. The only people in your audition room will be you, your accompanist and the audition panel. As our courses are taught in English we expect you to be able to communicate in English at your audition.
The time shown on UCAS Conservatoires is your audition time. You should plan to arrive at the RCM at least 30 minutes before this, to allow time to check in and warm up. We advise allowing plenty of extra time for travelling into or across London.
If you are caught in an unavoidable delay, please telephone the Admissions team on +44 (0)20 7591 4362 immediately so that, wherever possible, alternative arrangements can be made.
When you arrive at the RCM, you should find out from the steward in the entrance hall where your audition will take place.
Vocal auditions last approximately 15 minutes. Candidates will be directed by the panel to perform their audition pieces or particular extracts. We cannot say in advance which extracts you might be asked to perform, so you should prepare all of the materials in full. There will be a short interview. Typical questions you may be asked during your audition include:
Due to the volume of applicants, there is a two-phase audition process for vocal applicants auditioning in London during the main November - December audition period. The audition panel will inform you whether you need to perform again for a second panel. Unfortunately, if you are not referred to the second panel, it is less likely you will be offered a place. Second panel auditions take place on the same day, normally within an hour or two of the first audition, although you may have to wait longer if there is a high number of referrals.
You will have 15 minutes of warm-up time with your accompanist prior to your audition. We are not able to provide practice rooms for you to use before this.
You are welcome to bring your own accompanist. Alternatively, the RCM will have accompanists available on the day of your audition. We usually have several accompanists working on each audition day. We are unable to provide the name or contact details of our accompanists in advance.
If you require an RCM accompanist you do not need to tell us in advance; just inform the steward for your audition panel when you arrive.
You do not need to tell us what you are performing in your audition and please do not send copies of the music in advance. Our accompanists are very experienced and are familiar with most standard repertoire.
We are planning on holding auditions for most principal studies at some of our overseas locations. Please check our Choosing where to audition page for updates.
Please note that the only overseas venues where we can audition candidates for the Artist Diploma in Opera are New York (USA) and Melbourne (Australia).
Applicants who cannot travel may submit a video audition instead. This option is open to all Principal Study specialisms, except Conducting, for which we will hold final round auditions live in London in Spring 2025. Candidates auditioning by video will automatically be considered for scholarship.
The deadline to submit applications for video auditions is 2 October 2024. Videos must be submitted by 28 October 2024.
Every student who applies for a place on one of the RCM's performance or composition courses commencing in 2025 will be considered for a scholarship, whether you have applied by video or attended an audition or interview in person.
There is no separate application process.
Eligibility for scholarships is based on merit, which is determined by performance at audition (or by submission of video) or the strength of portfolio and interview for composers.
If you are offered a scholarship or study award you will receive a letter, normally sent by email, confirming this and the conditions of your award.
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be offered a scholarship on the day of their audition.
You will be informed of the result of your audition as soon as possible. The RCM cannot enter into correspondence over the results of auditions.
Please double-check that you are available at the time and date of your audition. If there are any special circumstances the RCM needs to be aware of before your audition, please let us know in advance.
Find out more
If you have any questions about auditions or the application process please contact our Admissions team.
Royal College of Music
Prince Consort Road
London SW7 2BS
United Kingdom
Registered charity No. 309268
