Visiting conservatoires

Step 1: Choosing courses

Although you may be under the pressure of exams, coursework or personal commitments, the key to choosing the right conservatoire and course for you is preparation and research. Once you have begun to narrow down your choices, the best way to get a feel for a conservatoire is to arrange a visit. Usually, the best way to see a conservatoire is to attend an open day, but you may also be able to arrange an independent visit or a consultation lesson.

When are open days held?

All conservatoires hold regular open days. These may be general or instrument/course specific depending on the conservatoire. You can find out dates of open days by visiting the conservatoires' websites or contact them directly. Find conservatoire contact details>>

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We also produce a publication each year which includes details of conservatoires' open days. Open Days is priced £3.50 and available from UCAS (email publicationservices@ucas.ac.uk). This also contains lists of UCAS taster courses and conventions.

What do they involve?

During the open day, you will be shown round, have a chance to look at the facilities and ask questions. You will be meeting people well-placed to provide an insight into both the course and the conservatoire. You will almost certainly get the chance to meet current students, which can be far more revealing than reading a prospectus.

Most students agree that open days helped them to make an instinctive decision and confirm what felt right for them. By making an effort to do this sort of research, you can avoid the disappointment of starting a course and finding that it is not what you expected.

What if I can't make it to an open day?

Most conservatoires will allow you to book an individual visit or campus tour if you can't attend an open day. You should contact the conservatoire for guidance. Depending on the conservatoire, you may also be able to book a consultation lesson with one of the staff tutors in your area.