Your Audition

Auditions are an integral part of the conservatoire application process. They’re a chance for you to excel, share your personality and get to know us a little better too, so it’s important that you’re as prepared as possible.

2025 Entry

Following the application deadline of 2 October, most of our auditions for September 2025 entry took place in November and December 2024. We are still accepting late applications for most courses (excluding GRNCM, IAD and Conducting courses), and you can check whether we can consider a late application for your preferred programme by emailing [email protected].

Our audition processes vary so it’s important to check the specific requirements for your principal study option by clicking on the School of Study you’re applying for below.

We’ve also listed some key information and dates to help you understand the process before you get started:

Important Information

• All applicants must submit an Acceptd application, including those who are not required to submit an audition recording.
• All GRNCM/MusB applicants must submit an audition recording or composition portfolio within their Acceptd application, whether they are applying for an in-person or online audition.
• Applicants invited to attend an audition in person at the RNCM in Manchester will be notified of their time and date via their UCAS Conservatoires application.
• Whilst all applicants are encouraged to audition in person, overseas applicants are invited to submit an audition recording via Acceptd if they are unable to travel. Online auditionees may be shortlisted to attend a live interview via Zoom. Any Zoom interview invitations will be communicated via UCAS Conservatoires.
• All BMus applicants must take an online multiple choice theory test as part of their application; details for this, including deadlines and access instructions, will be sent by email following the on-time application deadline.
• Joint principal study applicants must audition for each of their choices and should follow the individual requirements for each of their instrument/discipline choices.
• Non-standard courses (such as CPD Studentships and the Hallé Advanced Orchestral Strings Programme) follow a different application procedure and admissions timeline.

Key Dates

2025 Entry

• Applications opened on Wednesday 10 July and closed on Wednesday 2 October 2024. We are still accepting late applications for most courses (excluding GRNCM, IAD and Conducting courses).
• Some applicants are required to submit an audition recording – you can find more information on the requirements for your specific principal study below. Please note that all GRNCM/MusB applicants are required to submit an audition recording or composition portfolio.
• Our main audition period took place in November and December and offers were distributed by Monday 23 December 2024 for those who applied by the initial application deadline.
• Auditions for all Postgraduate Popular Music courses, Conducting and our International Artist Diploma will take place after the main auditions period, and applicants will be contacted directly with more information.
• Auditions for late applicants will take place until August 2025, subject to availability.

Any Questions?

Every Tuesday and Friday during term time, our Admissions Team host informal one-to-one sessions to give applicants the chance to ask any questions about studying at the RNCM. They’ll cover everything from Student Visas and English Language Requirements to fees and finance, living in Manchester and accommodation.

There’s no need to book, simply click on one of the Teams links below and someone will be happy to help.

Tuesdays: 15:00 – 16:00 (UK time)

Fridays: 9:00 – 10:00 (UK time)