Tips for the College Bound Singer: Could a UK College Be Right For You?

October 26, 2021 / Amy Asbury / Source

Student singers, are you looking for creative alternatives to the university and conservatory system in the United States? Love to travel or have never traveled? Considering studying abroad but nervous about language barriers? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then studying voice in the UK might be a great option for you. There are actually many wonderful colleges, universities, and conservatories in the UK where you can major in anything from Voice Performance to Musical Theater to Popular Music or Music Technology, to name a few. Most program offerings are similar to what is available at schools in the United States but with a focus on increased stage time and practical experience.

First Things First

International study in general involves many considerations. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s (NACAC) Guide to International University Admission, there can be issues related to getting accustomed to your surroundings. Even if the school is in an English-speaking country, there can be aspects quite different from what you may be used to in the U.S., such as cultural differences, campus and housing style differences, or different teaching styles. However, completing a degree internationally can have immeasurable benefits. NACAC points to the differences in duration and focus of degrees, costs, and conditional offers which can be dependent on certain exam and testing scores. Wading through this information can be confusing, but the helpful guide below helps sort fact from myth.

NACAC Guide to International University Admission page 6

So Why is the UK a Great Choice?

Duration and focus

In the UK, an undergraduate degree can be completed in 3 years. This is because the curriculum is highly focused on your major or as they call it “Courses” and they most often will not include Gen Eds (General Education Curriculum). This is more of a liberal arts approach to higher education, common in the U.S. For music majors in the U.S., you can find a wide variety of Gen Ed requirements between schools. For instance, schools that have a “Music Department” or a “School of Music” housed within a large University usually includes Gen Ed courses in addition to the standard required music curriculum, such as music theory, aural skills, and music history. Note that even within some schools that label themselves Conservatories in the U.S. you can still have many Gen Ed requirements. The video below gives some insight as to how music and creative arts studies are structured within UK institutions.

Cost

The cost of attending a UK school is often on par with a U.S. liberal arts school and most times less expensive. If you complete your degree one year sooner, then that is less accumulated debt. Also, note that you can still apply for federal aid through FAFSA who has participating schools all over the world. Consider the countries where English-focused instruction is most likely, such as Australia, Canada, many schools in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Of these options, the UK has the most schools who accept FAFSA with over 200 participating schools throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales as opposed to just over 80 in Canada or just over 100 in Germany. Also, most schools offer institutional scholarships, so always ask what’s available.

Approachable Application Process

To apply to a university or conservatoire in the UK, you will use The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which is on par with U.S. one-stop application services like Common App. The main difference is that the focus of the application process is on your intended major, not so much the schools themselves. This especially applies to the “Personal Statement” that is similar to the U.S. “College Essay” but is much more to the point. Think of it more as a resume of your experience and accomplishments related to your intended major rather than featuring aspects of your personality that are not reflected elsewhere in your application. You’ll need references too, so check with your school counselor, UCAS, and/or conservatoire for full details. Here you can watch a sample UCAS application being completed. This is provided by one of the UK Conservatoires, Trinity Laban.

Will You Need a Visa?

You will most likely need to obtain a Visa to attend in the UK. According to the British Council, once you are accepted to your school, accept your offer, and arrange funding, you may apply for a Visa. There are different kinds, including “Graduate Route” with will allow you to stay after you complete your undergraduate degree for employment or graduate studies. There are time restrictions, so visit GOV.UK for more information.

Final Thoughts

There are considerations and aspects to explore, such as the audition process, deciding whether a Conservatoire or University is best for you, which location will give you the most performance opportunities and much more. Please check my list of Sources and Suggested Links below which includes resources related to these questions, like a voice teacher directory in the UK, searchable school directory by course subject from both UCAS and the British Council and much more.