Music College Junior Departments
If you are available on a Saturday and would like to apply to attend a specialist music school for some more specialist music education, here are some links you could investigate.
All the ones I have linked here are based in London. Other regional establishments are available.
All the ones I have linked here are based in London. Other regional establishments are available.
Entries open in January each year, and close approximately at the end of February, for applications to start in September of the same year.
Auditions are normally in March-April.
For all places you need to complete an online application form, some ask for a video submission.
Places for piano on these courses are VERY competitive.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/children-and-young-people/guildhall-young-artists/junior-guildhall
Junior Guildhall’s Music Course offers advanced training for young people between the ages of 8 and 18. This comprehensive programme is carefully designed to give students a balanced exposure to the discipline of music through individual instrumental lessons, chamber music, orchestras, choirs, workshop activity, classes and frequent performance opportunities. Entry is by audition.
While auditions are highly competitive, the panel will be looking for potential as well as achievement and dedication. As a rough guide, candidates will normally have attained a standard of about Grade 5 distinction at the age of 10 and Grade 8 distinction by the age of 16. It is not necessary to have taken any grade examination before the audition. Pre-audition Advice Sessions can provide prospective applicants with guidance. These sessions are chargeable and to book, please email [email protected].
Royal Academy of Music
www.ram.ac.uk/study/departments/junior-academy/course
Young musicians aged between 12 and 18 travel from all over the UK to be part of our creative learning environment. Intensive one-to-one lessons, specialist classes and a variety of performance opportunities all add to the musical vibrancy.
We are looking primarily for musical potential. The standard of playing of successful applicants will depend very much on such factors as age and length of study, but as a rough guide we would expect ABRSM Grade 6–7 distinction level (or equivalent standard) from our younger applicants.
Royal College of Music
https://www.rcm.ac.uk/junior/rcmjdapply/
Entry to the RCMJD is competitive by two-stage audition between January and April for entry in September the same year. This is our only audition period, though we may offer auditions outside this period in exceptional circumstances.
This is our most frequently asked question, and it’s quite a tricky one to answer, particularly for our younger applicants as we’re looking for potential as well as achievement.
There are always going to be some exceptions but as a general rule, if you’re 11 or younger your first study will need to be at least Grade 5 level when you join JD. This will allow you to take full advantage of the ensemble opportunities that form part of our programme. If you’re older than 11 then we expect you to be more advanced (our sixth formers are almost always at or beyond Grade 8 standard).
Trinity Laban
https://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/courses/junior-trinity-ages-10-19/
Our junior music course offers an exciting and comprehensive music education for students aged 10 to 19. Set in the inspiring surroundings of our beautiful Greenwich building, students have the unique opportunity to learn from world-class musicians. The curriculum is varied and engaging, featuring individual tuition, choral and chamber music, orchestral training, and numerous performance opportunities. Whether aiming to refine their skills or develop new ones, students will thrive in a vibrant and supportive musical community.
Applicants are expected to be at least Grade 5 standard or equivalent on their first study instrument. However, there are many factors, including the instrument played and whether students have received formal musical training, that also inform the audition panel. Places at Junior Trinity are limited and being of the right standard alone is not a guarantee of acceptance to the department.
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PAGE UPDATED January 2026 - Please check individual websites for full information and current requirements. I take no responsibility for inaccuracies on this website.
Auditions are normally in March-April.
For all places you need to complete an online application form, some ask for a video submission.
Places for piano on these courses are VERY competitive.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/children-and-young-people/guildhall-young-artists/junior-guildhall
Junior Guildhall’s Music Course offers advanced training for young people between the ages of 8 and 18. This comprehensive programme is carefully designed to give students a balanced exposure to the discipline of music through individual instrumental lessons, chamber music, orchestras, choirs, workshop activity, classes and frequent performance opportunities. Entry is by audition.
While auditions are highly competitive, the panel will be looking for potential as well as achievement and dedication. As a rough guide, candidates will normally have attained a standard of about Grade 5 distinction at the age of 10 and Grade 8 distinction by the age of 16. It is not necessary to have taken any grade examination before the audition. Pre-audition Advice Sessions can provide prospective applicants with guidance. These sessions are chargeable and to book, please email [email protected].
Royal Academy of Music
www.ram.ac.uk/study/departments/junior-academy/course
Young musicians aged between 12 and 18 travel from all over the UK to be part of our creative learning environment. Intensive one-to-one lessons, specialist classes and a variety of performance opportunities all add to the musical vibrancy.
We are looking primarily for musical potential. The standard of playing of successful applicants will depend very much on such factors as age and length of study, but as a rough guide we would expect ABRSM Grade 6–7 distinction level (or equivalent standard) from our younger applicants.
Royal College of Music
https://www.rcm.ac.uk/junior/rcmjdapply/
Entry to the RCMJD is competitive by two-stage audition between January and April for entry in September the same year. This is our only audition period, though we may offer auditions outside this period in exceptional circumstances.
This is our most frequently asked question, and it’s quite a tricky one to answer, particularly for our younger applicants as we’re looking for potential as well as achievement.
There are always going to be some exceptions but as a general rule, if you’re 11 or younger your first study will need to be at least Grade 5 level when you join JD. This will allow you to take full advantage of the ensemble opportunities that form part of our programme. If you’re older than 11 then we expect you to be more advanced (our sixth formers are almost always at or beyond Grade 8 standard).
Trinity Laban
https://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/courses/junior-trinity-ages-10-19/
Our junior music course offers an exciting and comprehensive music education for students aged 10 to 19. Set in the inspiring surroundings of our beautiful Greenwich building, students have the unique opportunity to learn from world-class musicians. The curriculum is varied and engaging, featuring individual tuition, choral and chamber music, orchestral training, and numerous performance opportunities. Whether aiming to refine their skills or develop new ones, students will thrive in a vibrant and supportive musical community.
Applicants are expected to be at least Grade 5 standard or equivalent on their first study instrument. However, there are many factors, including the instrument played and whether students have received formal musical training, that also inform the audition panel. Places at Junior Trinity are limited and being of the right standard alone is not a guarantee of acceptance to the department.
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PAGE UPDATED January 2026 - Please check individual websites for full information and current requirements. I take no responsibility for inaccuracies on this website.
