Entry Requirements

Applying for the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering

We encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of experience. If you have a passion for music, how it’s produced and meet the entry requirements listed below then we want to hear from you!

Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate that you meet the entry requirements necessary to study on the course. So that we can assess your suitability for the course and offer you an interview you will need to include the following documents:

• A Music Portfolio (4 productions in which you demonstrate different roles, such as performer, producer, engineer, writer etc). Please label the portfolio or submit further documentation to explain your role in each production. The tracks need to be submitted in MP3 format in order to be accepted. If you don’t have 4 yet please submit what you can.  We do not expect to receive high-quality productions but are simply looking for evidence that you have been attempting to create and produce music for a period of time.  
• Academic qualifications.
• Music qualifications – if you don’t have a formal music qualification please state your level of music knowledge and experience in your covering letter.
• A cover letter. This is where you can explain your motivation to study, career goals and provide further explanation of your background (recordings, composing, performances etc). You should also explain your musical abilities, eg. which instrument (s) you play, what music theory experience you have and give an indication of your level. 
• Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) – allowances will be made for applicants with relating “real-world” experience.
• Copy of photographic ID, this is usually a scan of your passport or ID card from your home country. For passports please provide a scan of the front cover and photo page.
• £450 registration fee (to make the payment go to Abbey Road Institute Bank Details).

(All documentation for your application needs to be submitted in PDF format.)

International Applicants (Tier 4)

Unfortunately at present students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are unable to obtain a Tier-4 visa to study at Abbey Road Institute in London. To apply to study with us you must hold a valid EEA passport or EU identity card. The EEA includes the European Union (EU) countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. As members of the EFTA (European Free Trade Area), Swiss nationals are also eligible to apply. 

In some circumstances, you may be eligible for a Tier 5 “Youth Mobility Visa”. You can apply for this visa if you’re aged between 18 – 30 and from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea or Taiwan. For further information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Youth Mobility Scheme visa (Tier 5) page on the UK government website.

**Now for the good news**
We are working towards becoming a Tier 4 licensed sponsor in 2019. If you are from outside the EEA/EFTA we encourage you to start an application to study with us in 2019. **While not guaranteed we hope to be in a position to start sponsoring international students from May 2019, in time for our September intake. Updates will be published on this webpage, and via our blog, social media channels, and newsletter.**

Additional Entry Requirements for International Applicants

In addition to the above entry requirements international applicants will also be required to submit the following:

• • English language test certificate at CEFR level B1 (reading, writing, listening, speaking). We accept an IELTS certificate with a score of 5.5 or above. 
  • English translations of all of your qualifications, academic transcripts, and official documents.

For further guidance please visit the General student visa (Tier 4) page on the UK government website.

Any Questions?

If you’d like to apply but are unsure if you meet the requirements please get in touch for an initial consultation with one of our course advisers. You may also wish to consider attending one of our forthcoming Open Days where you will be able to meet the team and find out how Abbey Road Institute can help you to build a rewarding career working with sound.