Studying music in uk Options

[jpiano]

Does anyone know if it's a must to take grade 5/6 piano when you apply to study music at uni? I noticed that universities like manchester and york require grade 5/6 piano. Is there any way of getting around it or do i have to start taking piano lessons now? Is it possible to just take up short piano courses like pop piano or piano improvisation for basic keyboard skills?

It varies so check around the different requirements. I think some specify 'grade 5 standard'- it doesn't necessarily mean you have to have passed the exam. I know of someone with grade 8 on his two first instruments who got to university having passed grade 1 piano. He could pick some pieces up by ear on the piano that were more difficult than grade 1 but his reading on piano wasn't grade 5 standard.

[jod]

Does anyone know if it's a must to take grade 5/6 piano when you apply to study music at uni? I noticed that universities like manchester and york require grade 5/6 piano. Is there any way of getting around it or do i have to start taking piano lessons now? Is it possible to just take up short piano courses like pop piano or piano improvisation for basic keyboard skills?

It varies so check around the different requirements. I think some specify 'grade 5 standard'- it doesn't necessarily mean you have to have passed the exam. I know of someone with grade 8 on his two first instruments who got to university having passed grade 1 piano. He could pick some pieces up by ear on the piano that were more difficult than grade 1 but his reading on piano wasn't grade 5 standard.

Take a look at each music department. Certainly when I was a student one was able to take 'beginners piano' as a second study. I did have Grade 6 Piano so took full Piano. The Beginners pianists get to a standard of grade 4/5 within 3 years so it is not a soft option. They do expect you to work very hard.