Press factfile

• Structure and key staff
• Charitable status
• Exams and assessments
• Publications
• Teaching courses

Structure and key staff

Charitable status

ABRSM is a registered charity established by the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The four Royal Schools are themselves also registered charities.

ABRSM is the leading authority on musical assessment. By delivering our exams rigorously and consistently we set the worldwide gold standard, with over 600,000 candidates, in over 90 countries, choosing to take them every year.

As part of our commitment to excellence in music education, we provide a rich resource of materials, from albums of repertoire for the earliest stages of learning to scholarly editions of the great composers. We know that good teachers endeavour to enhance their professional skills. We support their continuing professional development through our innovative courses and online learning.

To build on 120 years of inspiring generations of musicians, we provide charitable donations, scholarships and sponsorship, as well as acting as an advocate for music education. We do all we can to give music a voice in public life because we believe it has the power to change people’s lives.

Exams

ABRSM exams give the developing musician a set of worthwhile and motivational goals to work for. They provide the opportunity of performing high-quality music and developing all-round musicianship through a range of supporting activities.

Graded exams are available for more than 35 instruments, singing, jazz, ensembles, practical musicianship and music theory. They offer a framework for life-long learning in music, without restrictions on age, length of study, or the requirement that candidates are taught in schools or other centres.

Many students will start with the Prep Test, a simple and positive assessment at the pre-Grade 1 level, and then work through the eight grades, but we do not impose a set pattern. For students who progress beyond Grade 8 we offer professional diplomas (DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM) in three subject areas: performing, directing and teaching. For younger learners, Music Medals offer a set of fun, rewarding and accredited assessments supported by award-winning repertoire. They introduce essential musical skills and inspire developing musicians to play and enjoy music together.

ABRSM’s graded music exams for individual instruments, singing and Theory as well as diplomas and Music Medals are accredited by the regulatory authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are part of the National Qualifications Framework. In Australia, Canada and South Africa, ABRSM exams can be used for credit towards the relevant qualifications taken by students completing compulsory secondary education. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) includes Grades 6–8 in the tariff for UK university and college entrance.

• Learn about our exams

Publications

As part of our commitment to excellence in music education, we provide a rich range of materials to support our exams and to help everyone get the most out of music-making.

The scope of our publications covers wide-ranging and extensive instrumental catalogues, scholarly editions of the great composers and jazz publications for a variety of instruments. We also produce albums of specially-commissioned pieces by contemporary composers.

Publications to support our exams include:

• albums that complement our instrumental and vocal syllabuses, both classical and jazz
• CDs and audio downloads of exam repertoire
• practice aural tests and sight-reading/quick studies
• scales, arpeggios and broken chords
• theory and musicianship textbooks
• scholarly, practical editions of the major Baroque, Classical and Romantic composers’ keyboard music biographies, guides and companions

• View our publications

Teaching courses

All musicians need good teachers to nurture and develop their talents – and all good teachers endeavour to enhance their professional skills. We support their continuing professional development through our innovative courses and online learning.

Amongst our core courses is the Certificate of Teaching (CT ABRSM), which develops teaching skills, and helps teachers to reflect on what works for them and to build on their strengths. Teaching Music Effectively is a course that provides development to teachers who may be new to the profession, or simply looking to refresh their approach. Introduction to Instrumental and Vocal Teaching is a one-day course that offers insight into teaching as a career, provides ideas on how to get started and the key skills required to succeed.

As well as our core courses, we also offer a range of short courses, workshops and seminars around the world that provide for the needs of teachers at all stages in their careers and reflect the latest developments in music education.

• Find out about our professional development courses