I'm in Year 10 and am CONSIDERING going to a conservatoire when I finish school, but I have no idea if I'm good enough! Most conservatoires seem to say a minimum standard of Grade 8, which at this rate I'll probably get in Year 12 (in both viola and piano, though I'd want to study viola), but I don't know if this is enough. Opinions?

Grade 8 minimum. Piano helps loads as well. Theory grade 8 is sometimes required.

Grade 8 theory generally isn't required to study at conservatoires, when coupled with a pass at Grade 8 practical, that will be considered as an equivalent to A level music, but assuming you will take that, the theory grades don't really come into it. They are of course, useful, but not required. Conservatoires say that you need to demonstrate an ability of a distinction at Grade 8, but from what I have heard of many people, in reality the standard is a little higher. On the other hand, in relation to more competitive instruments e.g piano, there will be fewer applicants and therefore the required standard (in theory) will be lower. From what I have heard, a good guideline to go from is Grade 8 Distinction standard.
Hope this helps!

Thank you - that makes sense
Wasn't sure if the standard was 'a little' higher than Grade 8 distinction, or...

For what it is worth, I can give you some information about Utrecht Conservatoire - thoe only one I know enough about.

To get onto the B.Mus. course your previous qualifications need only demonstrate a suitable general level of education and fluency in English. Prior musical qualifications are not required.

There is no set standard to be reached (e.g Grade 8). Entrance is competitive. There is a limited number of places each year, for each instrument, and they are offered to the people that perform best in two assessments, a Theory examination and a Practical Audition. From what I have seen, some of the first-year students are barely Grade 7 standard on their instruments - others you'd wonder why they are not already international stars. I think it is much tougher for pianists to be accepted than most other instruments, but as you will see from the suggested pieces the level of technical difficulty is not so high as you might think.

The rest of the information below is directly copied from the syllabus.

The theory exam tests:


good knowledge of the fundamentals of music theory:
scales: major and minor third (harmonic and melodic), modes, chromatic scales;
harmony: intervals, triads and inversion and their context in the major and minor, harmonic minor
scales, four-part chords;
the three clefs, key signatures, time signatures, triplets, music notation;
the build-up, singing and recognition of the above-mentioned scales and two-and three-part chords;
singing a simple melody in the treble or bass clef, including singing names of the notes;
the dictation of a simple melodic fragment and the repetition of a rhythm.


The practical audition comprises:

Piano:

etudes: one of the less difficult études by Cramer-Bülow (comparable in difficulty to Czerny op. 299), or Cinq etudes by Ton de Leeuw;
epolyphony: selection from the two- and three-part Inventions by J.S. Bach or several movements from his French Suites. A suitable alternative is a movement of comparable difficulty from Ludus Tonalis by Hindemith;
esonatas/concertos: a classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven, or a later sonatina or sonata of similar difficulty;
ea composition of choice.

Points of assessment
etudes: finger dexterity (evenness of touch); a steady and moderate tempo;
polyphony: correct and clear performance of the part-writing;
interpretation of sonatas/other compositions: aptitude for the piano is displayed with aspects such as tone colour, tone quality, pedal technique and phrasing. Temperament and sense of rhythm are also important.

Being able to play scales and broken chords is desirable, as is the ability to sight-read.

Viola (I guess that is you instrument Viola_Babe):

two contrasting pieces of one's own choice, e.g. a concerto by Telemann or a sonata by Eccles, Nocturne by Kalliwoda, or Elegie by Glazoenov;
an etude by Mazas or Kreutzer;
a scale (I think this means that you can be asked to play any scale!);
sight-reading

Cheers
Tom