Auditions
In order to be eligible for our first audition period, you must submit your UCAS Conservatoires application by 2 October 2025. If you apply after this date, your application will be considered and your audition will be scheduled as part of our late auditions.
Today. Auditions are happening at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. I'm Maisie, and I'm here today to show you what an audition looks like here at RBC. Now, it's important to mention that each audition will look slightly different depending on what instrument you play or course you study. But this video will be a rough run down on what you can expect from your audition experience until it's time for your audition.
I recommend heading down to Bolts Bar the perfect place for your family, friends, or guardians to wait for you grab a drink or even a bite to eat. The first thing you want to do when you get to the Conservatoire is check in with one of our friendly stewards. They will give you the lowdown of your audition day.
Need to warm up. We've got you covered. Before your performance audition, you'll have the opportunity to practice in one of these soundproof rooms, and if you're auditioning with the accompanist, you'll also be able to have a chance to practice with them too. When it's time for your audition, a steward will come and collect you and show you to the place where you'll be auditioning, where you'll be able to meet the panellists will be assessing your performance. Remember, the panellists really want you to do your best and will be welcoming and make you feel as comfortable as possible so that you can perform to the best of your abilities. If you're applying for music, technology or composition, the audition will take place as an interview where you'll talk about your submitted portfolio as part of your audition.
You'll get to chat to the panel. They'll want to know about your musical interests, what you've been up to so far, what you'd like to explore in the course, and your ambitions for when you graduate. After your audition, you'll be able to go on a tour with one of our students of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
I hope you found this video useful. Best of luck with your audition, and we can't wait to see you here at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Music students and staff come from all over the world to study and teach in the unique environment at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. We’re in a major international city with two of the world’s finest concert halls (Town Hall and Symphony Hall) and a world-class orchestra (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra).
Alongside our specialist training, you’ll benefit from the city’s constant stream of visiting international soloists – many of whom give masterclasses at the Conservatoire.
Audition Process
Auditions for those who apply by 2 October 2025 will be held in November 2025. If you apply after 2 October and before 3 January, your audition will be scheduled for February 2026. If you wish to apply for 2026 entry after 3 January 2026, then your audition will be scheduled on an ad-hoc basis to suit you.
Dependant on your selection on your UCAS conservatoires application, you may either be invited to an in-person or virtual audition.
Your audition details will be submitted to UCAS Conservatoires so please keep a close eye on your UCAS Conservatoires track. We will also send an email notifying you that audition details have been submitted which will give general information needed for the day.
Entry requirements
Many instruments or courses have specific audition requirements. Please view our audition requirements for entry in 2025 for your instrument, department or course.
Audition Fees
The audition fees as detailed below are a non-refundable payment through UCAS Conservatoire at the time of application.
2026 entry
| Single instrument | Two instruments |
|---|---|
| £80 | £120 |
Applicants will also need to pay a one-off application fee of £28.95 to UCAS on submission of an application form. Fees must be paid prior to audition (where fees are applicable) and cover the entire audition process.
View our audition advice.
Fee waivers
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire offers audition fee waivers to applicants for whom financial hardship might otherwise present a barrier to auditioning.
Please note we cannot waive the £28.95 application fee set by UCAS Conservatoires.
Fee waivers are considered for the following undergraduate and postgraduate applicants:
- UK residents with an annual household income equal to or below the eligibility threshold set at £31,139
- Care leavers
Typically, applicants will be in receipt of one of the following, and should be prepared to submit evidence as proof of their household income:
- Jobseekers’ allowance
- Income support
- Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit or Universal credit
- Housing benefit
- Personal Independence Payments (PIPs)
- Full-time Carers’ allowance
How to apply for a fee waiver
Complete the fee waiver form and email it to conservatoire.admissions@bcu.ac.uk
After your audition
Following your audition, a decision will be made on your application by the audition panel. This decision is then relayed to the Admissions Team to process in the system. You will be notified of our decision on your UCAS account and via email.
There are a number of different decisions that can be made:
| Guaranteed Unconditional | This means you have been successful at audition and have already met the academic entry requirements to the course. Please note that you will be required to provide evidence of these qualifications before you can enrol onto the course. |
| Guaranteed Conditional | This means you have been successful at audition but still need to meet the academic entry requirements. These conditions will be detailed in the offer communication emailed to you and on your UCAS account. You will be required to meet the conditions of the offer before you can enrol onto the course. |
| Reserve Unconditional | This means you have been placed in the pool of reserve candidates. We may be able to make you a guaranteed offer if a suitable place becomes available. The status of the decision is reserve unconditional as you have already met the academic entry requirements to the course. If we are able to upgrade you to a guaranteed offer, you will be required to provide evidence of your qualifications before you can enrol onto the course. |
| Reserve Conditional | This means you have been placed in the pool of reserve candidates. We may be able to make you a guaranteed offer if a suitable place becomes available. The status of this decision is reserve conditional as you still need to meet the academic requirements. These conditions will be detailed in the offer communication emailed to you and on your UCAS account. If we are able to upgrade you to a guaranteed offer, you will be required to meet the conditions of the offer before you can enrol onto the course. |