Every year Trinity College London supports the music education of thousands of students with assessments across a wide spectrum including popular, jazz, contemporary and classical music. Trinity College London graded examinations and diplomas span performing, teaching, theory of music and composing, all of which are fully accredited by the relevant UK regulatory bodies.
The candidate is at the heart of our focus. That’s why we offer insightful assessments for everyone, from beginners right up to diplomas for the most advanced candidates. All Trinity College London examiners are professional musicians, and they take special care to make candidates feel relaxed in the examination room, creating a positive environment for you to demonstrate your talents to your full potential.
Learners progress in their own musical style by choosing from lists of pieces or songs carefully selected by experts
Our performance-grounded technical work and supporting tests are specifically designed to develop learners’ skills through the music they play.
Candidates are assessed through an externally regulated and internationally recognised exam system, with a 140-year heritage that you can trust. They can gain UCAS points for Grades 6-8.
Our graded music exams offer the choice and flexibility to allow candidates to play to their strengths, enabling them to gain recognition for their own unique skills as performers.
Performance is at the heart of Trinity’s graded music assessments as we believe that musicianship is most effectively demonstrated through practical performance.
Trinity College London practical graded exams are numbered from 1 to 8 in increasing order of difficulty. In many subjects, an Initial exam acts as an introduction to the exam system. Candidates perform three (or sometimes four) pieces, and technical work featuring scales and arpeggios, exercises or orchestral extracts. They also choose two supporting tests from a selection including sight reading, aural, musical knowledge and improvising.
See the syllabus for more information on the breakdown of marks for each section of our exams.
Syllabus is available in the official website of Trinity College, London
Trinity College London is an awarding body recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England and Northern Ireland, and by Qualifications Wales. Trinity’s qualifications are regulated by these authorities within the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Various arrangements are in place with government educational authorities worldwide. In the UK, Trinity’s Grade 6-8 exams can contribute towards higher education through the allocation of UCAS points.
The United Kingdom Universities’ and Colleges’ Admissions Service (UCAS) has confirmed the inclusion of Trinity College London grade music examinations (Grades 6-8) within the UCAS tariff system, which is open to any student applying for a course of study at a UK university or other higher education institution. Please see the official website for more information about UCAS points for music performance and theory.
