Mixing conservatoires and universities on UCAS

[lindtfree]

DS would like to pursue music after school but is unsure whether to go down the conservatoire route or the academic route (with the option of a postgrad at a conservatoire).

He has heard that it isn't the done thing to mix music colleges and universities on the UCAS form. Specifically, he would like to apply to Oxford (he has the grades at GCSE and good predictions so far) but is worried that if he mixes uni and music college on his UCAS form he will get neither because he looks uncommitted.

If anyone has any inside info about this, I'd be grateful.

I’m pretty sure the universities can’t see where else you’ve applied for

As far as I am aware, it's two separate applications - one to conservatories and one to universities. The conservatories can see which other conservatories you've applied to but not preference order. Not sure if uni would be able to see the cons applications. The ucas website is very informative.

Thank you very much. Very daft of me not to look directly. Yes you can apply to both at the same time.

Main thing to remember is the early date for Conservatoires!

And the cost of the auditions if it still the same as 15 years ago

Thank you. We need to get ourselves informed, and organised!

I worked for a conservative. It’s two separate applications (and application fee): UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires.

At the conservatoire we actually encourage applicants who are unsure of which route to take to apply for both. Just be aware that each conservatoire charge an audition fee too, so that combined with travel etc means costs can mount up.

UCAS Conservatoire applications open around mid June and close on 1 October for entry in the following academic year. Well, they don’t technically close (usually) - that’s the definition of an on-time application. Conservatoire auditions are usually November - December.

If you come over to the music thread in extra-curricular, there are several posters who have been doing Conservatoire applications this year, lots of advice and info available.

Thank you, I will have a look.

DS very nearly did Conservatoires for music and normal UCAS for History, for the same year of entry, but then decided that the degree of schizophrenia required was just too high, given the need for two different personal statements etc! Had he been absolutely unsuccessful at all conservatoires - his first choice - he would have combined a re-application via UCAS conservatoires and a standard UCAS form this year.

The sheer amount of work, time off school and practice requirements for conservatoire auditions are not to be under-estimated, especially as DS found that each place required something different. So if applying for both routes, i would probably advise a minimum of courses named on each.

i think it's Royal Northern that does a joint course with the university - a sort of halfway house? Joint course