UCAS Performing Arts applications

How do you apply for a Performing Arts course?

If you're applying for a Performing Arts degree in the UK you'll have to do it through UCAS Conservatoires. This is a specialised online admissions service for undergraduate, postgraduate and other music, dance, drama, screen and production programmes at these conservatories:

• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
• LAMDA
• Leeds Conservatoire
• 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

What are conservatoires?

Conservatoires are higher education institutions that specialise in performing arts training, such as music, dance, and drama. Often having bespoke facilities, they help you experience what it's like to actually work in the industry.

Conservatoires typically offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and their curriculums are focused on practical training and performance. You'll receive individual instruction from experts who are working professionals, and have frequent opportunities to perform in front of audiences.

How do you apply through UCAS Conservatoires?

First, register your details on the UCAS Hub. Then, via UCAS Conservatoires, you can create a single electronic application that’ll be submitted simultaneously to a maximum of six conservatoires.

You can still make a separate application through UCAS Undergraduate to other universities and colleges offering music, dance, drama, screen and production courses. But you can only accept a place through one system (i.e. via either UCAS Conservatoires or UCAS Undergraduate).

If you get a place through both application schemes, you'll need to decide which place to take up.

UCAS Conservatoire key dates for 2026 entry