Guildhall Young Artists Online – Preparing for Conservatoire - BMus 2 Direct Entry

About Preparing for Conservatoire - BMus 2 Direct Entry

This advanced two-year online course is aimed at international musicians* interested in studying at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and other UK conservatoires. 

Students, from this bespoke course, will have the opportunity to be fast-tracked to the second year of the traditional four-year degree upon successfully auditioning for the Guildhall BMus programme. This is a significant cost saving on overseas fees.

This individually tailored course will allow students to continue with their current instrumental or vocal tutor in their country of residence, whilst an assigned specialist mentor from the music department at Guildhall School will conduct regular check-ins and oversee their musical development.

*Please note, the timings for the classes within this course will be organised at appropriate timings for the majority of the cohort(s) of successful applicants.

Who is it for?

International students who are post Grade 8 and intend to audition in the Autumn term 2025 for entry in September 2026. 

Although this course is focused on fast tracking students onto Guildhall’s BMus programme, the course content will prepare students for higher education study in any UK conservatoire.

This course is for international students studying remotely outside of the UK. Domestic students are invited to apply to Junior Guildhall’s in-person BMus 2 Direct Entry course.

What can I expect? 

• The course will cover all the academic elements of the first year BMus course taught over two years with a one-hour weekly class from a senior Guildhall academic professor.
   
• In addition, you will follow a one-hour supporting studies course looking at history and analysis of music in a broader cultural context.
   
• You can continue your existing one-to-one lesson arrangement with your current teacher privately, but will be assigned a personal instrumental mentor who is a member of the senior Guildhall faculty in your instrumental or vocal specialism who will provide regular online instrumental “check ins” to prepare for the audition. If you require an instrumental teacher to provide regular lessons this can be arranged separately via GYA Online one-to-one teaching.
   
• A personal welfare tutor from the GYA Online team will be allocated to every student with a termly review to ensure students’ progress and sessions will be provided for students to find out more about support for international students to prepare for starting the BMus course.
   
• The audition fee for Guildhall School BMus Course will be included in the course fee.
   
• You will become part of the GYA international community and invited to participate in cross network events and competitions.

How to apply

Please email gya-online@gsmd.ac.uk with the following*:

• A video of yourself performing two contrasting pieces of your choice
• A short verbal introduction featuring the following points:

1. Your name, age, city and country of residence.
2. Why you have chosen to apply for this course and your career aspirations?
3. Why you chose your audition programme?

*A link to your application video as a privately listed video on Youtube or as a downloadable file from a file-sharing website such as Dropbox or WeTransfer is suggested.

Closing date for applications is 16 August. All applicants will be informed of the outcome and those successful candidates will begin the course in late September. The course will be delivered in English.

For further information please contact gya-online@gsmd.ac.uk.

Do I need anything?

• An email address
• A reliable internet connection
• A computer/laptop/tablet with a microphone and a camera.
• Your browser fully updated to be able to use the most recent version of Zoom (if using an Apple device we recommend installing an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla).

The following items are recommended, but optional:

• Headphones
• Manuscript paper and a pencil

Please ensure you are able to work in a well-lit and quiet environment so that your tutor is able to fully assess your work and performance.

Further information

While there is no guarantee that a student will be offered a place on the second year at Guildhall, this will be a significant cost saving option for students from overseas for those who are successful.  In any event this course provides a through preparation for students wishing to study at higher education in the UK.