Oxford & Cambridge Music
Music Admissions SupportWritten work, interviews and College assessments
One-to-one help for students applying to Music at Oxford or Cambridge. Our tutors are Oxford and Cambridge students and graduates.
Find a Music tutorWhich course, which test
How Oxford and Cambridge assess music applicants
Neither university has an admissions test you register for, and both ask for written work. This is how it works for students who applied in October 2026, for entry in 2027.
Cambridge
Music
Oxford
Music
Neither university has an admissions test you register for. Oxford usually tells applicants whether they're invited to interview between mid-November and early December. Most Cambridge invitations go out in November, and some in early December.
More on interviews
Always confirm the details on the official Oxford and Cambridge course pages.
Not your course? See every Oxford and Cambridge course and its admissions test, A–Z.
How we help
Support for every part of the application
Interview practice
Oxford and Cambridge interviews are conversations about your subject. A tutor runs a mock interview with you, gives you honest feedback, and helps you talk about music and scores you haven't seen before. Book one session or several, by the hour.
Written work
We help you choose which essays and exercises to send, and you practise talking about them, so you're ready if they come up at interview. Your written work must be your own, so we won't write or edit it for you.
Harmony and College tasks
Oxford asks for a harmony and counterpoint exercise, and some Cambridge Colleges set aural, keyboard, harmony or essay tasks at interview. A tutor can help you build these skills with fresh practice exercises. The exercise you send must be your own work.
Reading and listening
A tutor can suggest reading and listening beyond your school course, then talk it through with you, so you have more to say about the music that interests you.
Your Tutors
Music tutors
Louis
Read bio
Hello! My name is Louis, and I have recently graduated from St Catherine's College, University of Oxford, with a first-class degree in Music! I was an academic scholar, won the Leask Scholarship for Music and the Brian Smith prize for Drama during my time in Oxford, as well as performing regularly as a Conductor, Singer, and Oboist. I have supported several students with their applications to Oxbridge in the past, advising on all stages of the process, as well as providing Music tuition to a number of private students, as well as within school settings.
Admissions tutoring experience
I have spent 3 years working with students (mostly Music students, but some other Humanities also) with Oxbridge preparation. I have advised on personal statements, interview practice (I am confident offering mock interviews), written work, and offer lots of super-curricular reading and mentoring. The two students I worked with in 2025 achieved their Oxford offers for Music.
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Looking for a Music tutor?
Tell us what you need, and we'll get back to you about a tutor who fits.
Tell us what you needHow it works
Simple, flexible, by the hour
Choose your tutor
Pick a tutor from this page and send them a message. Not sure who to choose? Tell us what you need and we'll suggest someone.
Arrange a first lesson
We put you in touch with your tutor to agree a time. For students under 18, a parent is included in all messages.
Book lessons by the hour
Lessons are online. Your lessons and invoices are in your MyOxbridgeTutor account.
Our charging promise: You only ever pay for the hours you need to use, no packages or contracts. Rates vary by tutor and are shown on each tutor's profile.
Questions
Music admissions FAQs
Do I need A-level Music?
Both universities expect Music at A-level or IB Higher Level (or equivalent), but each has another route. If you can't take A-level Music, Oxford accepts Music Theory Grade 7 or above, from any board, plus three A-levels. Cambridge accepts ABRSM Grade 8 Theory at Merit or above.
Is there an admissions test for Music?
No. Neither university has a test you register for. Some Cambridge Colleges set tasks at interview, which might include aural, keyboard, harmony and essay-writing exercises, and some give you the option to perform. Your College tells you the details.
Do I need to play the piano?
Oxford doesn't require performance or keyboard qualifications, though it encourages you to work on your keyboard fluency before you start. At Cambridge, some Colleges include keyboard exercises in their tasks at interview, so check your College's page.
What written work do I send?
For Oxford, by 10 November 2026: two essays of about 1,500 words each and one harmony and counterpoint exercise, all marked by your teacher. The essays don't have to be about music. You can add one or two short compositions.
For Cambridge: usually one or two essays on the history or analysis of music, plus one or two technical exercises (if you've studied them) and/or your own compositions. Your College tells you what to send and when.
A tutor can help you choose what to send, but the work must be your own.
What happens at a Music interview?
At Cambridge, you'll normally be asked to comment on a piece of writing about music and a score. Be ready to talk about your musical experience and interests. Interviews run from 7 to 18 December 2026, online or in person, depending on the College.
At Oxford, shortlisted candidates have at least one online interview. College interviews are on 7, 8 and 9 December 2026, and departmental interviews on 14 December.
When will I hear back?
Oxford sends decisions on 12 January 2027. Cambridge sends decisions on 27 January 2027 to applicants interviewed in December.
I'm applying next year. When should I start?
For 2027 entry, the UCAS deadline for Oxford and Cambridge was 15 October 2026 at 6pm UK time, so check the dates for your year on the official pages. Start building essays and harmony exercises you're proud of in Year 12, so you have good pieces to choose from. If you can't take A-level Music, plan your music theory grade in good time.
How many mock interviews should I book?
We suggest a series of sessions with one tutor, as many as you need, to build your technique. A tutor who knows you can see what you're improving on and take each session further than the last.
Then book one or two sessions with tutors you haven't met. On the day, you'll be interviewed by people you've never spoken to, who ask questions in their own way. Practising with someone new shows you whether your technique holds up when the style and the questions are unfamiliar.
Ready to strengthen your Music application?
Tell us a little about the course and where you'd like support — interview, written work or harmony and analysis — and we'll get back to you about a tutor who fits. No packages, no obligation.
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