Tonmeister: Selection Procedure

All applications to the Tonmeister course must by made via UCAS (www.ucas.com). All applicants who can demonstrate their suitability for and interest in the course will be invited to interview. Interview days are usually held on Wednesdays between mid-January and the end of March, and offers are made once all applicants have been interviewed.

Application

In order to demonstrate suitability for and interest in the course, an application form will usually show:

• That you have a strong academic background covering our entry requirements of A-Level (or equivalent) in Mathematics, Physics and either a) Music, or b) Music Technology plus ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory. If you have, or are working towards, music performance or theory qualifications, please enter them in the qualifications section of the UCAS form.
• That you have a strong interest in, enthusiasm for, and motivation to study Audio Engineering, Music and Sound Recording.

Many other relevant aspects are covered in our Admissions FAQ, including what to write in your personal statement, and what to do if you are not taking A-Levels and/or the required subjects.

Applicants are strongly encouraged from those from underrepresented groups in the audio industry. Scholarships including In2Surrey and the AIR studios diversity scholarship are available, see Prizes and Scholarships and our Admissions FAQ.

Interview

The interview day will normally include:

• a talk about the course and the admissions procedure,
• playback of recordings made by Tonmeister students,
• an opportunity to ask any questions you may have,
• a short musical test (relating to aural and harmony skills, analysis and repertoire),
• a short sound recording test which will explore your knowledge of sound recording, to help us gauge appropriate questions during the interview,
• free admission to a lunchtime concert (optional),
• lunch and a tour of the Department/University with current students, who will also be able to answer your questions from a student perspective,
• and finally individual interviews with academic staff.

Applicants not offering Mathematics, Physics and/or Music qualifications which we recognise as being completely equivalent to UK A-levels may additionally be asked to take a short test, based on A-level examinations in these subjects. Indicative topics and example questions can be found in the Admissions FAQs.

Offers

After all applicants have been interviewed, offers will be made to the best applicants. These offers will normally be conditional on grades in A-level examinations, Music Theory tests, and/or similar pending qualifications.

Deferred Entry

We are perfectly happy to accept applications for deferred entry to the course and these will be treated in exactly the same way as applications for the current year. Please note, however, that:

• any conditions attached to the offers we make must be met by the end of the August following application, and
• candidates wishing to defer entry must make this clear on their application form.