How to get a reference for conservatoire applications

1. Enter your referee details into the reference section of the application. Once saved, you can choose to send a reference request email directly to the referee you have named. We then send an email to your referee with instructions on how they can supply your reference. When your referee has completed your reference, after following the steps in the email, it will be attached to your application. You will get email notification of this, and we then ensure your reference is sent with your application to your chosen conservatoires.
2. You must not delay your application, or miss any deadlines waiting for your references to be sent to you. If there is a risk you might miss your deadline, submit your application without the reference that is outstanding by ticking the option that you will download the offline reference forms. You can then send the references separately, See below for information on how to submit your references by email.
3. Once all sections are complete, you must pay any fees, before sending your application to us.

Who should write your academic reference?

• If you're at school or college, or have recently left, ask your principal, head teacher, teacher or tutor.
• If you left school or college several years ago, ask your current or previous employer or, in the case of voluntary work, your supervisor.
• If you have recently attended any training courses, ask your training provider.

It is not permitted for either you, your family, friends, partners or ex-partners to write your reference. If subsequently we find this to be the case, the application may be cancelled.

Who should write your practical reference?

• ability, experience and potential in your specialist field
• general academic ability in music, dance, drama, or musical theatre
• practical skills
• attitude to work and reliability
• commitment to music, dance, drama, or musical theatre as a profession
• ability to communicate
• relevant experience

It is not permitted for either you, your family, friends, partners or ex-partners to write your reference. If subsequently we find this to be the case, the application may be cancelled.

Sending reference forms to your referee

You can download the reference forms here:

UCAS Conservatoires academic reference form (123.5 KB)

UCAS Conservatoires practical reference form (124 KB)

Prepare your references to send to your referees

You need an academic reference and a practical reference sent to each conservatoire for each of the courses you have applied for.

1. Enter your name and Personal ID on each reference form and save a separate copy for each of your choices and for each type of referee. So for six choices, you will have six documents for each referee, i.e. 12 reference forms in total.
2. Enter the following details onto an academic and practical reference form:

• your main specialism/discipline
• the course applied for
• tick your choice of conservatoire

1. Email the forms to your referees. Your referee must email the forms on to the conservatoire, once completed – they must not be sent to a conservatoire from your email address.
2. Make sure each referee knows what they need to do.

Key dates

• If you're applying for music courses before the October deadline, aim to have your references with each conservatoire by the end of October. However, a small number of courses involve an additional shortlisting stage and require an earlier submission. Please check the conservatoires' websites for such requirements.
• If applying for dance, drama, or musical theatre courses, aim to have your references with each conservatoire as soon as possible. It is recommended that this is no later than one month after the published deadline date for the course.
• If you're applying after the October deadline, please send references to the conservatoires as soon as possible.