Conservatoire assessments

An assessment is how your application is being considered by the conservatoires in the way of an audition, interview, review of a portfolio, or a recording.

For all disciplines, we've put together a handy document giving you information on  making the most of your audition (1.15 MB)

You may need to have more than one audition/interview, depending on the conservatoire's audition policy, and the study type and course you choose:

• Main specialism – one audition will be needed.
• Joint main specialism – two auditions, one for each specialism, will be needed.
• Secondary specialism – some conservatoires will audition on your main specialism only, whereas others will audition on both your main and secondary specialism.
• Alternative main specialism – two auditions, one for each specialism, will be needed.

What an audition might involve

• Music performers normally play two or more contrasting pieces in a live audition held at the conservatoire. In some cases you can send a recording or video instead.
• Musicians may be asked to play or sing scales, read or sing at sight, take an aural test or have an interview.
• Composers are often asked to submit a portfolio or some other evidence of practical ability, or to have an interview.
• Dance and drama applicants may be asked to prepare monologues, a performance piece, participate in a dance class, sing, sight-read text or improvise.
• Drama production applicants may be given set tasks prior to the interview, where you will then discuss the tasks, your understanding of the course, and your career aspirations, amongst other things.

Assessment fees

We usually collect assessment fees with our application fee – which is £27.50 for the 2024 cycle. The application fee will be £28.50 for the 2025 cycle.

The assessment fees charged depend on the conservatoire(s), type of course, and if:

• the audition is a live performance or a recording
• separate auditions are required for two study areas, for example, different instruments, singing or conducting
• the audition is held in the UK or overseas
• the application is received at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on 2 October for music courses. For dance, drama or musical theatre courses, the deadline may be different. Please refer to conservatoires' websites for information
• an audition is required 

Our search tool displays the locations and fees for the assessment/audition for each course under the 'Assessment info' tab.

After completing your application, your audition or assessment fees will be calculated and displayed.

Will you have difficulty paying your assessment fees? Some conservatoires will waive fees if you're unable to pay. Information about eligibility criteria and how to apply for a fee waiver should be available on the website of your chosen conservatoires. Please contact them directly if you need any support with this. If you're applying from London or the East Midlands, Open Door is non-profit organisation that could provide you with guidance and financial support.

Conservatoires will not be able to waive assessment fees on your application until it has been submitted and you have paid your application fee. If you are eligible for fee waivers and need to submit your application, only paying the application fee, you need to complete each of the sections first. Once you reach the payment stage of your application, select the option to 'Pay using a different method' and then 'Confirm payment method'. This will submit your application without taking payment – you will need to follow the guidance below on how to pay your application fee. If you have any difficulties with this, please contact us.

How to pay

Use a credit or debit card to pay your application fee and assessment fees online. If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can use someone else's with their permission. Secure payment can be made using the following UK and international credit and debit cards only – Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, and Electron. We do not accept American Express or Diners Club cards.

If you are unable to use a credit or debit card, you will need to pay via bank transfer. Once you have completed all sections of your application and have gone through Review and Submit, you need to agree to the declaration on the 'Payment' screen. If you do not have one of the cards we accept, or you plan to pay by bank transfer, please click on the link. You'll be given instructions on how to make a bank transfer payment.

If you have forgotten to print off the invoice, please follow these instructions:

You will need to pay via bank transfer – the bank details are below.

• Bank name: Barclays Bank plc
• Bank address: 128 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1EL
• Account name: UCAS International Account
• Account number: 20802182
• Sort code: 20-20-23
• Swift code/BIC number: BARCGB22
• IBAN number: GB16 BARC 2020 2320 8021 82
• Payment Reference: use your Personal ID as the payment reference
• All payments must be in GB pounds sterling.

Once you have made the bank transfer, please follow the link to the alternative payments webform where you will need to provide some details of the bank transfer. This will enable us to link the payment to the application.

Alternative payment details

What happens after your assessment?

After your assessment, conservatoires will tell us when they've made a decision and we'll let you know in your application. Once all decisions are in, you can reply to your offers.