Advice on Portfolios, Auditions and Interviews: Music and Performing Arts
Some courses require you to submit a portfolio, attend an interview or prepare an audition with your application. Here's what you need to know.
Digital portfolios
Some of our courses require you to send through a digital portfolio collating a selection of your work.
A digital portfolio is a file containing a collection of your creative work, that you've recorded or created digitally.
Once you've applied to us through UCAS and successfully been shortlisted, we'll ask you to provide a link to your portfolio. It's important that the sharing settings are set to open to all, so that staff can easily access and review your work.
We can accept any working link; applicants often use Google Docs, Flickr, YouTube or their own website.
Each subject has its own portfolio requirements which are provided below. Please read the portfolio guidelines carefully. If you have any questions regarding what to submit email mpainterviews@bathspa.ac.uk.
We're aware that for many applicants there may be problems getting into normal performance spaces. Recording from your home or bedroom may be necessary and you may feel that this could limit your performance. The course teams will be looking for your potential in your submissions and will take into account the surrounding factors.
If you have pre-recorded pieces that you've used for submissions for other applications, or for another reason, and they fit the criteria, you are very welcome to use these as your submissions.
If there is more than one person in your video submission please make it clear which performer you are.
Some courses at Bath Spa University may require you to provide a portfolio of your work before you are invited to an audition or interview on campus. If the course you have applied to does require a portfolio prior to your audition, you will be made aware via email on what to include and how to submit it. Make sure to keep an eye on your inbox!
Yourself! Certain courses whose auditions include a practical element, like Dance, will ask you to wear appropriate clothing for the day (i.e. activewear, or black clothing). We’d also recommend bringing a packed lunch and reusable water bottle.
Auditions and interviews
Some of our courses require you to attend an audition or interview as part of the application process.
Please be aware, we do not charge an audition or interview fee for any of our courses at Bath Spa University.
How your audition is structured depends on the course you’re applying to. Typically, auditions will consist of a workshop session that allows you to work in a group with other applicants, so that our lecturers can see how you’ll thrive in a real class. This is then typically followed by a chance to ask the lecturer any questions.
Auditioning can seem intimidating, but our aim is to make it as easy a process as possible for you. Really, it’s mainly a chance to get to know your future lecturers and show them where you’re at with your current technical skillset.
Please be aware, we don't charge an audition fee for any of our courses at Bath Spa University.
Interviews at Bath Spa University typically consist of a one-to-one chat with a lecturer from your course, who will either be the course leader of one of your future tutors.
Our interviews vary from course to course, but usually the conversation will consist of the lecturer asking about your reasons for wanting to join the course, discussing your portfolio you submitted prior to coming to your interview day, and asking about your future ambitions after graduation.
Some performing courses, like Commercial Music, will require you to perform some music at your interview. The nature of the music you perform will depend on your own musical aims. You can read more about this in the drop down section below, or on your chosen courses' webpage.
More specific interview guidance will be sent to you prior to your interview, alongside a date and time for your slot.
Please be aware, we don't charge an interview fee for any of our courses at Bath Spa University.
The length of your audition or interview will vary from course to course, but you should prepare to spend at least half a day here with us at Newton Park. You’ll receive more specific information about your audition or interview date and length after you apply.
This varies from course to course, but we’d recommend at least practicing your skills (especially if you haven’t had a chance to recently) before coming to audition with us.
We would also recommend reviewing your portfolio if you're coming for an interview, so that the content is fresh in your mind.
If you need to prepare anything specific, your email will tell you more.
Some courses at Bath Spa University may require you to provide a portfolio of your work before you are invited to an audition or interview on campus. If the course you have applied to does require a portfolio prior to your audition, you will be made aware via email on what to include and how to submit it. Make sure to keep an eye on your inbox!
Yourself! Certain courses whose auditions include a practical element, like Dance, will ask you to wear appropriate clothing for the day (i.e. activewear, or black clothing). We’d also recommend bringing a packed lunch and reusable water bottle.
Advice by course
We are looking for original and compelling songwriters, instrumentalists, singers and producers. We would therefore encourage you to submit your own material, but we will also consider a combination of originals and covers if you feel this showcases your voice or playing style.
You will be asked to submit an Audio Portfolio of three tracks.
You should submit songs or compositions that you have either written as a solo artist or contributed towards in an ensemble context. Each track should be no longer than 4 minutes.
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio will be included in this email.
After your portfolio has been received, it will be reviewed by the course leader. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview on Newton Park campus.
Your audio portfolio should consist of a maximum of four tracks.
Your tracks can be short extracts (anything from 30 to 90 seconds) of existing work or current work in progress. Please do not worry about whether the pieces are completely finished or mixed at this stage.
The audio portfolio should represent your audio production, compositional, and/or sound design achievements to date. We are not seeking evidence of wide stylistic ability, but by all means provide a variety of approaches if this best describes your work. We hope to hear something that demonstrates you are listening closely to the music you make and that there is evidence you have used technology to explore composition and production.
Your course may have enabled you to record ensemble playing or bands; this is not relevant in this instance – it is your own compositions and productions which are of interest. If possible, we really like to hear anything you are working on outside of your course work.
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio will be included in this email.
Your audio portfolio should consist of a maximum of four tracks.
Your tracks can be short extracts (anything from 30 to 90 seconds) of existing work or current work in progress. Please do not worry about whether the pieces are completely finished or mixed at this stage.
The audio portfolio should represent your audio production, compositional, and/or sound design achievements to date. We are not seeking evidence of wide stylistic ability, but by all means provide a variety of approaches if this best describes your work. We hope to hear something that demonstrates you are listening closely to the music you make and that there is evidence you have used technology to explore composition and production.
Your course may have enabled you to record ensemble playing or bands; this is not relevant in this instance – it is your own compositions and productions which are of interest. If possible, we really like to hear anything you are working on outside of your course work.
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio will be included in this email.
You'll be invited to join an audition day on campus. The day will include:
- Course Talk Learn more about the course and share what inspired you to apply.
- Practical Audition Includes contemporary technique and performance skills sessions and a creative workshop. No preparation is required in advance.
- Campus Tour Explore our purpose-built dance studios and wider university facilities.
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to audition on receipt of their application from UCAS.
You'll be asked to submit the following:
- A 1-2 minute video of yourself performing a dramatic monologue of your choice. This can be from a theatre piece from any style or era.
- A 2–3 minute video of yourself talking to camera, answering one or both of the following questions:
- Why do you want to study drama at Bath Spa University?
- Which writer or theatre artist inspires you and why?
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio will be included in this email.
You'll be asked to submit the following:
- A 2–3 minute video of yourself singing a musical theatre song. This can be any style, but please ensure that it is a song that showcases your singing voice and musicality.
- A video recording of you singing sets of vowel-based scales sung to an accompaniment (this can be a recorded accompaniment off the internet). Please do enough repetitions to demonstrate your working vocal range.
- A 2–3 minute video of yourself talking to camera, answering one or both of the following questions:
- Why do you want to study musical theatre at Bath Spa University?
- What is your favourite musical or stage show and why?
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio will be included in this email.
You'll be asked to submit three items to support your application. Some examples of the types of work submitted by previous applicants are provided below, but you should not feel limited by these:
- an ensemble/band performance a performance in a stage production (or excerpt thereof)
- performing in a community or education setting
- a recording of a song you’ve written (with score/lyrics if appropriate), maybe as part of a band
- an improvisation
- a composition for acoustic instruments or electronic(s)
- an essay, perhaps an example from your music coursework
- YouTube content that you’ve made, or a podcast
- evidence of your participation in music in a community setting (e.g. outreach projects, community music-making, etc.)
- evidence of your planning or marketing an event (e.g. concert, gig, festival etc.)
- evidence of any paid/unpaid work or work experience undertaken in music (e.g. working at a venue, recording, teaching, etc.)
For practical and performance examples we ask you to submit videos where we can see your contribution (please explain where you are in the shot if needed!).
For compositions and songs an audio recording is fine and this can be supported by scores, lyric sheets and other material as appropriate.
You can use any appropriate format for submitting other examples of your work, such as links to webpages, online storage (e.g. Google Drive, One Drive or Dropbox), or media platforms (e.g. YouTube, Soundcloud, Vimeo).
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio will be included in this email.
You'll be asked to submit three items to support your application. Some examples of the types of work submitted by previous applicants are provided below, but you should not feel limited by these:
- an ensemble/band performance a performance in a stage production (or excerpt thereof)
- performing in a community or education setting
- a recording of a song you’ve written (with score/lyrics if appropriate), maybe as part of a band
- an improvisation
- a composition for acoustic instruments or electronic(s)
- an essay, perhaps an example from your music coursework
- YouTube content that you’ve made, or a podcast
- evidence of your participation in music in a community setting (e.g. outreach projects, community music-making, etc.)
- evidence of your planning or marketing an event (e.g. concert, gig, festival etc.)
- evidence of any paid/unpaid work or work experience undertaken in music (e.g. working at a venue, recording, teaching, etc.)
For practical and performance examples we ask you to submit videos where we can see your contribution (please explain where you are in the shot if needed!).
For compositions and songs an audio recording is fine and this can be supported by scores, lyric sheets and other material as appropriate.
You can use any appropriate format for submitting other examples of your work, such as links to webpages, online storage (e.g. Google Drive, One Drive or Dropbox), or media platforms (e.g. YouTube, Soundcloud, Vimeo).
Suitable applicants will receive an invitation to submit a portfolio. Instructions on how to submit your portfolio will be included in this email.
You'll be invited to join an interview day on campus. The day will include a tour of the campus and facilities. You will be asked to bring a portfolio with you which could include any, but not all, of the following:
Costume portfolio:
Costume or fashion designs, life and or figure drawing examples. Photos or showreels of costume makes, sewing or textile projects. Evidence of wardrobe experience on productions, photos of cast, hair, make-up etc. Evidence of work in process. You may bring one constructed costume sample with you.
Scenography portfolio:
Evidence of working within either of the disciplines of scenic design, scenic construction or prop making. Designs and working drawings relating to either discipline. Photographic, drawn or software-based evidence of work in process. Photographic or showreel evidence of productions or events worked on. Photos of finalised designs, makes or builds. Evidence of problem-solving skills.
Sound portfolio:
Recordings of Soundscapes worked on. Recordings of any shows that you have mixed. Evidence of paperwork to go with shows, such as schematics, input lists, equipment lists and Stage Plans etc. Documentation of written work that might have accompanied the process of a sound design such as screen shots of any Qlab files with recordings if possible - (at least a section if not the whole thing.)
Lighting Portfolio:
Photographs of show lighting that you have engaged with, either as Lighting Designer or Technician. Please ensure that you indicate the role undertaken. Example stage lighting paperwork for design and/or planning purposes e.g. plans, lists. Bullet point list of relevant lighting roles undertaken, and duties involved. Include the show title, venue and any relevant technical details such as equipment you have experience with. Highlight any work, paid or otherwise, that you have undertaken outside of your school or place of study.
Stage Management Portfolio:
Photographic evidence or show reels of productions or events worked on. Photographs of props tables, stage props, and evidence of stage management paperwork could be included.