Academic referee

Who should write the academic reference?

  • The academic referee should know the applicant well enough, in an official capacity, to write about them and their suitability for higher education.
  • If the applicant is at school or college, or has recently left, they should ask their principal, head teacher, teacher or tutor.
  • If the applicant left school or college several years ago they should ask their current or previous employer or, in the case of voluntary work, their supervisor.
  • If the applicant has recently attended any training courses they should ask their training provider.

music composition

Who should NOT write a reference?

  • It is not permitted for family, friends, partners or ex-partners of the applicant to write their academic or music reference. If subsequently we find this to be the case, the application may be cancelled.
  • It is not permitted for the applicant to write their own academic or music reference. If subsequently we find this to be the case, the application may be cancelled.

Academic referees should include the following information about applicants in their references:

  • suitability for advanced training for a career in music

  • general intelligence, application and powers of concentration

  • existing academic achievement, with particular reference to any music qualifications

  • predicted grades or results for any examinations still to be taken

  • reliability and powers of initiative

  • any factors, such as personal circumstances, that may have affected or might affect their performance

  • health - referees must obtain the applicant's agreement before providing any information about their health or disabilities.

You do not need to repeat any of the information that the applicant has given unless you want to comment on it.

International students - if you are providing a reference for an international student, you must write in English. If the applicant's first language is not English, you should comment on the applicant's ability to write and speak in English and say if any of their studies were taught in English. You should explain any break in the applicant's education and how they compare with others in your class.

When writing a reference, you should remember that, under the terms of the Data Protection Act, applicants can ask for copies of their references and any other personal information that we have about them.

Predicted grades - if an applicant is still studying or waiting for results, you should give a prediction for the applicant's final overall achievement in the reference. You can also comment on the applicant's performance in any units they have taken so far.

If the application, including the reference, contains false or misleading information or there is relevant information missing, it could influence whether or not a conservatoire offers a place or the terms on which a place is offered. In these circumstances, CUKAS and the conservatoires have the right to cancel the application and withdraw any offers without giving back the application fee.

Providing references - what applicants need to do

After applicants have chosen referees who agree to provide references, they need to send each referee an academic or a music reference form, either on paper or as an electronic file, together with a stamped addressed envelope for each of their choices of conservatoire.

If an applicant is applying before 1 October (the deadline for on-time applications), we ask them to aim to have their references with conservatoires by the end of October. If they are applying after the October deadline, we advise them to aim to have references with conservatoires as soon as possible.

Advice for referees - what you need to do>>