Vocal Studies Auditions
Application deadlines
Thursday 1 October 2026: Vocal Studies: BMus, MMus/MPerf, Advanced Artist Diploma and Advanced Certificate.
Those applying for an overseas audition, should refer to the Music Auditions Overseas webpage for information about application deadlines. Please note: candidates may not audition for opera, or for joint vocal/opera consideration, in our overseas venues.
Vocal Studies Auditions
We encourage you to attend a live audition where possible. If you are unable to, you have the option to submit a recorded audition.
Possible Pathways
You may apply for:
- Vocal Studies (undergraduate and postgraduate)
- Opera Studies (postgraduate only)
If you would like to be considered by both the Vocal and Opera Departments, you can make a Joint Vocal/Opera application. Panellists will assess which course – either vocal or opera – would be most appropriate for successful candidates.
Find out more about the Vocal Studies and Opera Studies courses.
If you wish to apply only for Opera Studies, please go to the opera webpage for audition requirements.
Live Auditions – Vocal Studies
Auditions follow a two-round format. If you are successful at round 1, you will progress to round 2. Auditions may be recorded for internal panel review purposes.
Round 1
You may choose the first piece, and the panel will choose the second.
Round 2
If you are offered a round 2 audition, you may choose the first piece. The panel will then choose a selection from your other pieces, possibly including your spoken text, and you will be given a short interview.
Please prepare:
- Three contrasting pieces in a variety of languages and styles (which may include one piece of musical theatre or crossover if you wish).*
- A short monologue, poem or piece of prose.
Everything should be performed from memory.
*Please note that you may present a single piece of musical theatre or crossover if you feel this will best convey your experience and musical interests to the panel. However, the Vocal Studies Department focuses on preparing students to enter the classical singing profession, and the focus of principal study teaching is classical song (for example: Lieder, French Mélodies, English, Spanish, Russian, Czech or Scandinavian art song etc.), oratorio, operetta and opera.
Auditions follow a two-round format. If you are successful at round 1, you will progress to round 2. Auditions may be recorded for internal panel review purposes.
Round 1
You may choose the first piece, and the panel will choose the second.
Round 2
If you are offered a round 2 audition, you will choose the first piece. The panel will then choose a selection from your other pieces, possibly including your spoken text, and you will be given a short interview.
Please prepare:
- Four pieces in a variety of languages and styles. This must include at least one operatic aria and one art song.
- A short monologue, poem or piece of prose.
Everything should be performed from memory.
The audition will take place in a single round. Auditions may be recorded for internal panel review purposes.
Live Audition – first stage
You may choose the first piece, and the panel will hear a selection from the other repertoire offered. You will then be given an interview and the opportunity to discuss your artistic aspirations and short and long-term objectives.
Please prepare:
- Five pieces in a variety of languages and styles that reflect your artistic strengths and interests.
Everything should be performed from memory.
If you are successful in the first stage live audition process, you will progress to the second stage.
Advanced Artist Diploma review panel – second stage
The second stage review is a cross-disciplinary panel of senior musical staff. If you are successful in the first stage, the panel will review your artistic CV and video recorded performances (made within the last year).
CV
All candidates must upload their artistic CV in the ‘supporting information’ section of the application form.
Video recordings
You must upload a list of links to your video recorded performances (on a freely available streaming service such as YouTube) on a Word/pdf document in the ‘supporting information’ section of the application form.
Context and Development Plan – third stage
If you are successful at the first two stages, you will be required to submit a ‘Context and Development Plan’ (CDP) as a condition of your offer. Details about the CDP are found below.
Recorded Audition - Vocal Studies
We do not require professional recordings, but please record in a space where you are able to capture clear and true audio and visual footage. You should consider the most favourable proximity to the camera/microphone and ensure that the location has sufficient lighting. Please watch your recording back before submitting, to ensure there is good picture quality and that the sound is optimal and well-balanced. Please add captions to recordings listing the title, opera/song cycle and composer.
Submission instructions will be sent to you after the application closing date on Thursday 1 October 2026.
The deadline for all uploaded audition videos is Friday 23 October 2026.
Successful candidates who apply by the application deadline will be invited to an online interview in the week commencing 23 November 2026.
Auditions follow a two-round format. If you are successful at round 1, you will progress to round 2.
Round 1
Please submit a video recording of the audition requirements detailed below.
Round 2
If you progress to round 2, you will be invited to an online interview (via video conferencing) in the week commencing 23 November.
Please prepare:
- Three contrasting pieces in a variety of languages and styles (which may include one piece of musical theatre or crossover if you wish).*
- A short monologue, poem or piece of prose.
Everything should be performed from memory.
*Please note that you may present a single piece of musical theatre or crossover if you feel this will best convey your experience and musical interests to the panel. However, the Vocal Studies Department focuses on preparing students to enter the classical singing profession, and the focus of principal study teaching is classical song (for example: Lieder, French Mélodies, English, Spanish, Russian, Czech or Scandinavian art song etc.), oratorio, operetta and opera.
Auditions follow a two-round format. If you are successful at round 1, you will progress to round 2.
Round 1
Please submit a video recording of the audition requirements detailed below.
Round 2
If you progress to round 2, you will be invited to an online interview (via video conferencing) in the week commencing 23 November.
Please prepare:
- Four pieces in a variety of languages and styles. This must include at least one operatic aria and one art song.
- A short monologue, poem or piece of prose.
Everything should be performed from memory.
Recorded Audition – first stage
Auditions follow a two-round format. If you are successful at round 1, you will progress to round 2.
Round 1
Please submit a video recording of the audition requirements detailed below.
- Five pieces in a variety of languages and styles that reflect your artistic strengths and interests.
Everything should be performed from memory.
Round 2
If you progress to round 2, you will be invited to an online interview (via video conferencing) in the week commencing 23 November.
If you are successful in this first stage, you will progress to the second stage.
Advanced Artist Diploma review panel – second stage
The second stage review is a cross-disciplinary panel of senior musical staff. If you are successful in the first stage, the panel will review your artistic CV and video recorded performances (made within the last year).
CV
All candidates must upload their artistic CV in the ‘supporting information’ section of the application form.
Video recordings
If you submit a recorded first stage audition, we will use the first stage audition recordings already provided for this purpose.
Context and Development Plan – third stage
If you are successful at the first two stages, you will be required to submit a ‘Context and Development Plan’ (CDP) as a condition of your offer. Details about the CDP are found below.
Live Auditions – Joint Applications
For candidates applying for consideration by both the Opera and Vocal Studies departments.
Auditions follow a two-round format. If you are successful at round 1, the panel will decide if you will proceed to round 2 for:
- Vocal Studies; or
- Opera Studies; or
- Vocal Studies and Opera Studies
Auditions may be recorded for internal panel review purposes.
Round 1
You will be asked to perform two or three of your prepared pieces. You may choose the first piece, and the panel will choose the second, possibly third.
Round 2 (Vocal Studies)
For Vocal Studies, If you are offered a round 2 Vocal audition, the panel will hear your spoken text, and you will be given a short interview.
Please note: Round 2 auditions will take place on the same day as round 1. Please allow sufficient time for a round 2 recall when arranging your travel.
Round 2 (Opera Studies)
If you are given a round 2 Opera audition, you will be asked to perform two contrasting arias, one of which must be different from those offered in the round 1 audition. You will also be required to attend a 30-minute movement and drama workshop; please ensure you arrive wearing comfortable clothing for this session. You may change into audition clothing after the movement session and before your audition. Please note that we do not have designated changing facilities, but you may use the restrooms to change.
Opera Studies round 2 auditions will take place on 15/16 December 2026.
Please prepare:
- Three pieces in a variety of languages and styles. This must include two operatic arias, one of which should be in English, and one art song.
- Please note: If you proceed to round 2 for Opera, you will be required to present a third aria which was not offered in round 1.
- A short monologue, poem or piece of prose.
Everything should be performed from memory.
Live Audition – first stage
The initial audition process follows the same format as for MMus/MPerf/Advanced Certificate described above. If you are successful in this first stage, you will progress to the second stage.
Advanced Artist Diploma review panel – second stage
The second stage review is a cross-disciplinary panel of senior musical staff. If you are successful in the first stage, the panel will review your artistic CV and video recorded performances (made within the last year).
CV
All candidates must upload their artistic CV in the ‘supporting information’ section of the application form.
Video recordings
You must upload a list of links to your video recorded performances (on a freely available streaming service such as YouTube) on a Word/pdf document in the ‘supporting information’ section of the application form.
Context and Development Plan – third stage
If you are successful at the first two stages, you will be required to submit a ‘Context and Development Plan’ (CDP) as a condition of your offer. Details about the CDP are found below.
Recorded Auditions - Joint Opera/Vocal Applicants
For candidates applying for consideration by both the Opera and Vocal Studies departments.
Auditions follow a two-round format. If you are successful at round 1, the panel will decide if you will proceed to round 2 for Vocal Studies, Opera Studies or both Vocal and Opera Studies, as detailed below.
Round 1
Please submit a video recording of the audition requirements detailed below.
Round 2 (Vocal Studies)
For Vocal Studies: If you are progress to round 2, you will be invited to an online interview (via video conferencing) in the week commencing 23 November.
Round 2 (Opera Studies)
For Opera Studies: If you progress to round 2, you will be invited to an online workshop (via video conferencing). This will take place on 15/16 December 2026.
Please prepare:
- Three pieces in a variety of languages and styles. This must include two operatic arias, one of which should be in English, and one art song.
- Please note: If you proceed to round 2 for Opera Studies, you will be required to submit a third aria which was not offered in round 1.
- A short monologue, poem or piece of prose.
Everything should be performed from memory.
Recorded Audition – first stage
The initial audition process follows the same format as for MMus/MPerf/Advanced Certificate described above. If you are successful in this first stage, you will progress to the second stage.
Advanced Artist Diploma review panel – second stage
The second stage review is a cross-disciplinary panel of senior musical staff. If you are successful in the first stage, the panel will review your artistic CV and video recorded performances (made within the last year).
CV
All candidates must upload their artistic CV in the ‘supporting information’ section of the application form.
Video recordings
If you submit a recorded first stage audition, we will use the first stage audition recordings already provided for this purpose.
Context and Development Plan – third stage
If you are successful at the first two stages, you will be required to submit a ‘Context and Development Plan’ (CDP) as a condition of your offer. Details about the CDP are found below.