UCAS Conservatoires manages applications to performance-based music, dance and drama courses at eight conservatoires in the UK. All offer music courses, with two also offering dance courses, and two offering drama courses. The courses are highly vocational, enabling graduates to enter the cultural and creative industries as artists and arts practitioners.
Some of the key findings are:
- Over 2,300 (2,355) students were placed on music, dance and drama courses at conservatoires – an increase of 17% to 2014.
- There were more applicants in 2015, for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Undergraduate applicants increased by 9%, postgraduate applicants increased by 3%. Although some of the increase to undergraduate courses is attributable to Leeds College of Music offering undergraduate courses through the scheme for the first time since 2010.
- Music courses have the highest number of applicants and acceptances - they remain the largest subject area across the scheme.
- Undergraduate drama and dance are particularly competitive: only one in 20 of applicants to drama courses, and one in five applicants to dance courses, are placed.
- In 2015, around 60% more women applied than men (same as in 2014), as has been the case since dance and drama courses have been offered through the scheme. But similar numbers of men and women were placed.
- The most advantaged fifth of young people in the UK are around six times more likely to enter courses at conservatories than the least advantaged fifth of young people. This figure remains unchanged from 2014.
View the 2015 UCAS Conservatoires End of Cycle Report
ENDS
UCAS Press Office contacts:
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Communications@ucas.ac.uk
Notes to editors
UCAS Conservatoires (formerly named CUKAS) is a small admissions scheme which processes applications to music, dance and drama courses at conservatoires in the UK. The scheme handles applications for eight conservatoires, and includes both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.