UCAS-points system/examinations

[Genevieve]

REGARDING CHANGES in ADMISSIONS PROCESS : This may be helpful taken from UCAS' website:

UCAS' response to recent coverage about a review of admissions processes
"Running an admissions system based on known qualification outcomes could significantly reduce admissions administration and improve institutional efficiency. However, we think it would be difficult to achieve based on the current admissions process and we will be investigating the options as part of our comprehensive admissions process review which is at early planning stages now and due to complete later this year. There are further important considerations for applicants who might be applying post qualifications and it will be critical to understand what support might be available for those going through the UCAS process after they have left school or college".
UCAS Chief Executive

REGARDING UCAS POINTS: On the UCAS website here's a couple of links to find out how many UCAS points you can get for speech and drama examinations, music and many other courses/subjects:
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tar ... eet/speech
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tar ... ifftables/

BUT I am uncertain as to which singing qualifications my dd should be doing - and which board ?/ ABRSM ? GUILDHALL ?? Some of you will have ds's and dds who have been throught the process - need advice on which to enter dd for , easist if that were at all possible ?

[Taximom]

Generally ABRSM are rated as the 'best' music exams to go for partly because of the grade 5 theory barrier (have to have ABRSM Grade 5 theory in order to take an ABRSM practical exam above Grade 5). If a musician takes the time to do that it shows commitment and motivation as well as good practice for understanding the form of music. Many opt for Trinity Guildhall because there is no requirement to have passed grade 5 theory but that can also lead to it being devalued for that exact reason. However I am aware that many singing teachers prefer the Trinity Syllabus, so a conundrum! (not much help am I??!! Sorry!!)

Heather

[mathsmum]

also bear in mind that most unis offer grades rather than points - tho having said that dd does have a points offer - right now, neither of us can make head nor tail of it

oh - and as you go up the grades, you only get the points for the highest grade, so you will get maximum points by doing different exams - singing/acting or different lamda exams

[Genevieve]

Many opt for Trinity Guildhall because there is no requirement to have passed grade 5 theory but that can also lead to it being devalued for that exact reason. However I am aware that many singing teachers prefer the Trinity Syllabus, so a conundrum! (not much help am I??!! Sorry!!)Heather

this is really useful information Taximom, because my dd does not read music, and is just trying to get a singing exam under her belt - and sounds like the ABRSM would be harder for her when she has very minimal basic knowledge - so thank you, very helpful - and tanks mathsmum...very interesting to read about the points system, I am bit of a rabbit in the headlights on all of this !

[Welsh Mum]

Many universities now make points offers, though some still make grade offers. However, just because a qualification carries pints vales, it does not mean that the uni will include it in their offer. a lot depends on what the course is - e.g. an Engineering course would not include points for dance/singing etc. Some pints offers do even include AS levels (crazy I know).The best thing is to phone the uni dept directly to find this out - ask to speak to Admissions Officer, they are all very helpful and welcome queries.

As for which board, it does not generally matter. However, for Music degrees etc they will expect/require ABRSM practical and theory . For Drama etc the board does not matter. As for vocational courses (Acting, Dance, Music Theatre) then qualifications are not necessary (though of course they will have helped develop skills etc).

As a Head of Sixth I sympathise with parents/students getting their heads around all of this. It would help if unis made standard points or grades offers - but they don't. There is also no consistency in what they will include in their points offer if they make one. Theya are all so individual. The best thing is to ask directly before applying.

[netmum]

Trinity Guildhall have the theory requiremnts as you go along in the form of a viva for each grade. I don;t think thay are viewed any more or less prestigious than ABRSM these days although that certainly used to be the case. I went through the ABRSM system myself and it is still possible to sing the exact same songs now.

The Trinity syllabus is a llittle more up to date and offers more in the line of musical theatre (as does the LAMDA syllabus however LAMDA is more emphasis on acting in song rather than the voice as such in my opinion. Dh found that Trinity Guildahll was good for older beginners who didn;t want to sing about LAdybirds etc for the lower grades or for teens who didn't want to go the classical route.

Entry to music college pretty much goes on audition not what grade/board you have passed.

[Welsh Mum]

ABRSM, Trinity, LCMM, Lamda all carry the same number of points in the UCAS system (as do the dance boards). Unless you are gpoing for a music degree, then it nakes sense to do the one you enjoy the most. The ABRSM syllabus is pretty dire and very old fashioned. My Dd did LCMM all the way to Diploma level, while she got her place in drama college through audition, it was brought up and discussed in a couple of the interviews. Now she is there she has found the one-to-one singing lessons much easier becasue she has done lots of the stuff before, while those with no exam background have more work to cover. So she is glad to have done the exams (they also greatly widened her repetoire, always a good thing) .