Practical reference
The applicant's practical referee should be someone, such as a principal study teacher or head of department, who can comment on their:
performing, directing or compositional ability, experience and potential
general academic ability in music, dance or drama
practical skills
attitude to work and reliability
commitment to selected discipline as a profession
communication skills.
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 practical 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 practical reference. If subsequently we find this to be the case, the application may be cancelled.
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 practical 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 music applications), we ask them to aim to have their references with conservatoires by the end of October. If they are applying before 15 January (the undergraduate UK deadline for dance and drama applications) or 31 March (the deadline for undergraduate international dance and drama applications for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), we ask them to aim to have their references with conservatoires within one month of the deadline. If they are applying after the application deadline, we advise them to aim to have references with conservatoires as soon as possible.
Advice for referees - what you need to do>>