Conservatoires

If you dream of a career in the performing arts, perhaps as an actor, dancer, musician or theatre stage manager, studying at a conservatoire can help you achieve your goals. The UK is home to a number of prestigious institutions. Find out more about them and what they offer

What is a conservatoire?

'A conservatoire is a performance-focused training institution dedicated to developing passionate individuals to realise their creative potential,' explains Scott Bellamy, deputy director of engagement and enterprise at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

A conservatoire may focus their instruction in one area, such as music or drama, or may cover the full spectrum by teaching subjects like dance, drama, music, musical theatre and stage and screen production.

You can study at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, with Bachelors (Level 6), postgraduate diplomas and Masters (Level 7) courses on offer.

Like universities, most conservatoires in the UK follow a three-term academic calendar. The year begins in mid September and ends in July. You get time off over Christmas and Easter, as well as an eight-week break in the summer.   

‘Conservatoires provide an ideal environment to develop your creative potential,' says Dr Diana Salazar, director of programmes at the Royal College of Music. 'You'll be studying in a hub of creativity that is truly connected to the profession. The courses, facilities, and staff are all tailored to provide rich and stimulating learning experiences to develop the next generation of artists. There are professional expectations of students from the outset, but alongside this you'll find an inclusive community that really cares about supporting your individual needs and aspirations.'

What's the difference between conservatoires and universities?

Creativity lies at the heart of conservatoires, which are usually a lot smaller than universities. They teach fewer subjects and primarily focus on practical training and performance. In comparison, universities are large institutions that cover a range of subjects, focusing on academic study.

Because of this teaching styles differ. At university you'll have a limited number of contact hours, but as training is intense at a conservatoire you'll often work 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with rehearsals and performances sometimes scheduled for evenings and weekends.

Which institution you choose is entirely down to your preference. Both conservatoire and university study lead to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. To help you decide consider :

• If you're interested in studying a vocational course with a focus on practical elements such as composing, songwriting, performing or production then a conservatoire might be right for you.
• If your interest lies more with the academic side of performing arts, for example in the analysis, history, philosophy and psychology then university is the best option.

In some cases you might not have to choose as many conservatoires offer joint degrees or shared modules with universities. Do some research into courses that interest you to find out more.

What can I study?

Like universities, conservatoires are organised into faculties and which department you're assigned to depends on your subject of study. While they offer fewer courses than their academic counterparts there's still a variety to choose from. At a conservatoire you can study:

• acting
• applied theatre
• dance (ballet, choreography, contemporary, dance science)
• directing
• filmmaking
• music (classical, film, jazz, folk, musical direction, popular music, production, technology, vocal performance)
• musical theatre
• production arts and design
• professional performance
• songwriting
• stage management.

In line with other European conservatoires undergraduate degrees usually take four years to complete (full time), while postgraduate degrees typically last two years although intense, one-year courses are available.

Conservatoires have strong links to industry and teaching staff are made up of working professionals. Because of this programmes are structured to reflect the working world, which means students get real experience of industry practices, working hours, auditions, rehearsals, performances etc.

As class sizes are relatively small there is a strong focus on one-to-one tuition. Small group work, workshops and masterclasses are also a feature of studying at a conservatoire.

Assessment methods include assessed performances, coursework and exams.

Where can I study?

There are 11 conservatoires in the UK:

• Guildhall School of Music and Drama
• Leeds Conservatoire
• London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA)
• Royal Academy of Music
• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
• Royal College of Music
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Royal Northern College of Music
• Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
• The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Each has its own  identity, strengths and history so you’ll need to conduct research to discover the best fit for you.

Of course, studying at a UK conservatoire isn't your only option. There are a number of famous institutions around the world, such as the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna (Austria), The Juilliard School (New York, USA), Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (France) and The Norwegian Academy of Music (Oslo). Learn more about studying abroad. 

What are the benefits of studying at a conservatoire?

• You're surrounded by creativity - unlike at a university, which houses students studying various disciplines, at a conservatoire you'll study alongside likeminded individuals. 'Students can expect to be taught by industry professionals and immersed in creativity with fellow students who all share a passion for music and performing arts,' says Patsy Gilbert, vice principal of Leeds Conservatoire. On an almost daily basis you'll interact with tutors, industry professionals and peers - be them actors, artists, dancers or musicians.
• They provide tailored performing arts facilities - 'conservatoires offer bespoke industry-standard facilities, with every room built with musicians and performing arts professionals in mind,' adds Patsy. You'll find dance, drama and music studios, production workshops, editing suites and rehearsal rooms all fitted out with the latest equipment and software, as well as multiple performance spaces.
• You'll be able to take advantage of work experience opportunities - as many courses are vocational there's a strong emphasis on practical learning. 'The training provided at conservatoires is highly industry-focused with the goal of preparing students for their music and theatre careers,' says Patsy. As such you'll get the chance to participate in work placements and internships at a variety of arts organisations.
• They allow you to build your professional networks - 'studying at a conservatoire provides a range of opportunities to start to build your professional networks,' says Scott. 'From fellow students, to staff, visiting professionals and alumni, students at small and specialist institutions are able to immerse themselves in a specific industry from the moment they begin their training.' You'll also get the chance to collaborate with your peers on projects, widening your pool of connections before you even graduate.
• You'll get the chance to regularly perform - as you'd expect performance is a huge part of the curriculum at conservatoires. Throughout your studies you'll get frequent opportunities to hone your craft, collaborate with other creatives and build your confidence in this way. As well as internal shows you'll also be able to participate in external performances with industry experts.

How do I choose a conservatoire?

While some people dream of being accepted into one particular institution, others keep their options open. If you fall into the latter group you'll choose a conservatoire in much the same way you'd choose a university.

As a first step Scott gives this advice, 'it's important that prospective students consider the areas they are most passionate about, and how committed they are to pursuing the creative arts as a career. Conservatoire training requires a high level of dedication and commitment regardless of the discipline you train in.'

Next you'll need to conduct your own research. Find out what conservatoires offer in terms of courses and facilities by looking at their websites. Download available literature, such as prospectuses, and read them carefully. Also visit social media platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn as these can give you an insight into what's currently happening at an institution, as well as the chance to interact and ask for advice.

Kate Tanner, school and colleges liaison manager at Leeds Conservatoire points out that you'll need to 'consider a conservatoire's location, its partner organisations, class sizes, bespoke facilities, pastoral support and industry connections.

Research who will be teaching you - staff at a conservatoire will all be active practitioners. It is also useful to find out what the conservatoire's graduates have gone on to do in their careers.'

It may be useful to look at institution rankings such as the Complete University Guide's Arts, Drama and Music League Table 2024, or Top Universities QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Performing Arts although it's important to not base your decision on rankings alone.

'Visiting conservatoires for open days is one of the best ways to get a feel for a campus,' notes Kate. Open days give you the chance to:

• look around campuses and accommodation
• check out facilities
• meet staff and ask questions
• speak to current and former students.

Look on an institutions website to discover when open days are held and sign up.

How do I apply?

Entry requirements differ between conservatoires and depend on the subject you'd like to study. In general to study a Bachelors degree you'll need A-level passes (sometimes in relevant subjects) and GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 (C) or above. To study a Masters programme you'll need to have achieved at least a 2:2 in your first degree, usually in a related field. If you wish to study at a UK conservatoire and English isn't your first language you'll also need to prove your proficiency. For specific entry requirements see your chosen institutions website.

You'll need to be 18 years of age but the majority of conservatoires also have junior departments that take students from as young as eight. There is no upper age limit and mature students are welcomed.

Courses start in September and you'll need to apply a year in advance, this means submitting your application in your final year of study (A-levels or undergraduate).

Nine of the 11 UK conservatoires are part of the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Conservatoires scheme:

• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
• Leeds Conservatoire
• London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
• Royal Academy of Music
• Royal College of Music
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Royal Northern College of Music
• Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

UCAS Conservatories allows you to create one single electronic application that can be sent to up to six conservatories. See UCAS Conservatories How to apply for more details.

For the remaining two you'll need to apply through UCAS Undergraduate or directly to your chose institution.

As you'd expect when you apply to a conservatoire your applications are usually considered through an audition process. Also called assessments, these can take the form of in-person auditions, interviews and portfolio reviews or submitted recordings.

Musicians may be asked to play an instrument or sing scales, potential drama students might have to improvise or deliver a monologue, while dance applicants may be asked to choreograph and perform a routine.

'At audition, we look for applicants who have the passion and dedication to develop their craft to the highest level,' explains Dr Salazar. 'Check carefully in advance what the audition requirements will be. On the day, arrive in plenty of time so you can settle in to the surroundings. Once you're in the audition room, try to remember that the panel are on your side - they genuinely want everyone to demonstrate their full potential. Remind yourself that the people on the panel were once auditioning too. We all start our creative journey somewhere.'

The type and number of assessments depends on your institution and subject, so check with them before applying.

As well as a UCAS application fee (£27.50 in 2024) applicants may also have to pay an assessment or audition fee which is set by individual conservatoires.

What about fees and funding?

There are two types of fees at a conservatoire - those paid by home (UK) students and those paid by international students.

Like at universities, most full-time undergraduate degrees in England cost £9,250 per year for home students. This figure is capped by the government. International students pay considerably more. Those from the UK will be able to apply for a student loan to help fund their degree.

Postgraduate tuition costs vary widely. They're set by individual institutions and largely depend on what and where you study, again international students pay more. For example in 2023/24:

• MFA Acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art - £14,453 (home) and £24,092 (international).
• MA Dramaturgy at Leeds Conservatoire - £8,250 and £14,000.
• MA Musical Theatre: Acting and Performance at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama - £19,000 and £24,000.
• MA Dance Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance - £10,230 and £21,660.
• MMus at the Royal College of Music - £17,450 and £37,500.

See individual institutions websites and course pages for more information.

If you’re a UK student living in England you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to help with course costs, but postgraduate funding is more tricky to secure. Many conservatoires offer alumni discount, meaning if you studied with them at undergraduate level you'll get discounted fees if you return for postgraduate study, usually 10%.

Scholarships and bursaries are also available to help with fees at both Bachelors and Masters level. For example, at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama undergraduate home students can apply for the:

• Access to Central Bursary worth £1,250.
• Dream On Bursary, £3,000.
• Beatrice Lillie Award, £4,000.
• Mary Freeman Scholarship, £15,000.

Leeds Conservatoire offer postgraduate awards such as the:

• Help Musicians UK Postgraduate Awards worth £1,000 to £5,000.
• Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award, £5,000.

While the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama offers the Ida Phillips Scholarship that supports an undergraduate or postgraduate piano student.

Conduct your own research and contact institutions of interest to uncover relevant funding opportunities.

Learn more about funding postgraduate study.

Will I get a job after studying at a conservatoire?

According to Conservatories UK on average 94% of conservatoire graduates find work within six months of graduation, so your chances are good.

'There are many reasons to believe that training at a conservatoire will enhance employability prospects within the industry in which your training covers,' says Scott. 'This is due to the exposure that students get to the creative industries from the moment they start their course. What's more, because of the specialised nature of conservatoire training, graduates are better prepared for employment compared to less specialised degree programmes, as they gain specific skills in addition to the transferable skills obtained by Bachelors and Masters study.'

However, creative jobs can be hard to come by and are incredibly competitive so there can be no guarantees. On a positive note, studying at one of the 11 prestigious UK conservatoires carries some weight and could set you apart from the competition. Discover how to get a creative job.

Many conservatoires have dedicated careers teams so make use of them while you're studying. For example, the Royal College of Music has the Creative Careers Centre, which supports musicians in their career development. 'The core aims of the department are for musicians to discover their unique professional identity, gain hands-on experience and new skills, develop an entrepreneurial mind-set, and build a lifelong fulfilling professional portfolio,'  says Diana Roberts, head of the Creative Careers Centre at the Royal College of Music.

'The team offers bespoke careers coaching and mentoring, resources, workshops and presentations by leading industry specialists, plus contacts and professional opportunities, including performance, teaching, composition, and administrative work.'

Conservatoires also have strong links to the creative industries so be sure to take full advantage of these and take all opportunities to network, gain experience and perform.

'Many of our graduates go on to freelance across a variety of musical and artistic roles including performative, administrative, and on the technical and business sides of the industry,' explains James Warrender, employability and enterprise manager at Leeds Conservatoire. 'Outside the creative sector, key transferrable skills are highlighted, with over 70% of our graduates believing that they continue to use their creative skill sets - developed through their time at Leeds Conservatoire - in non-creative sector work.'

Learn more about careers in music and find out what you can do with a degree in dance, drama, music and performing arts.

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