ABRSM Exam Discount Scheme for UK Music Services
Added to website 03/11/2022. Updated 13/08/2024.
ABRSM is piloting an Exam Discount Scheme designed to ease some of the financial barriers that families can face in accessing exams. If students have reached the standard required to take ABRSM exams but have been put off by the cost of exam fees, this scheme will enable music services to set a discount of up to 95% that enables them to access exams and receive a recognised qualification.
What is the ABRSM Exam Discount Scheme?
ABRSM is piloting an Exam Discount Scheme designed to ease some of the financial barriers that families can face in accessing exams. If students have reached the standard required to take ABRSM exams but have been put off by the cost of exam fees, this scheme enables music services to offer a discount of up to 95% off fees so they can access exams and receive a recognised qualification.
The scheme is administered by Music Mark and is offered for private visits hosted by music services in all four nations of the UK, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
The ABRSM Exam Discount Scheme is in a pilot phase and is can only be used by music services and the ABRSM’s selected partners. The scheme is not available to private tutors or individual entrants.
How does it work?
To use the scheme, music services will need an ABRSM account for booking exams. If they don’t have one already, they can set one up here. Music services should identify students to whom they would like to offer a discount and determine the reason(s) and level of discount. Music services can then request discount codes by sending a completed request form to Music Mark. If this is in order, Music Mark will forward the request to ABRSM who will create the discount codes. The discount codes will be sent to the music service who will then enter them into ABRSM’s booking portal.
Full details about the scheme can be found in the Terms of Reference (which all Heads of Service should read before engaging with the scheme) and we have produced a User Guide to support music service administrators engage with the step-by-step processes.
We have also put together the following templates that you are welcome to adapt and use as you wish:
What changes have been made for 2024?
- Contact IDs are no longer required for discount codes to be issued although please still include these if you know them already.
- All exams that you can book on ABRSM’s portal are eligible, including Jazz and Practical Musicianship.
- The list of pre-approved reasons for discounts has been expanded.
More details about these changes can be found in the Summary of Changes for 2024 document.
You can also watch a 15 minute Walk-Through video below (captions and a transcript are available):
Basis for Discounts
Music services have discretion as to the reasons for offering discounts. The following are pre-approved:
- Service’s remissions scheme
- Other bursary e.g. AYM
- Qualifies for Free School Meals
- Pupil Premium
- Looked After Child
- Low exam uptake (targeted area or targeted school)
- Loss of work
- Bereavement
- Financial hardship (other)
- SEND with financial hardship
- Multiple reasons
Other reasons may be supported but you should check these with Music Mark in advance. In cases of doubt, ABRSM’s decision will be final.
Full details regarding the basis for requesting discounts can be found in the scheme’s Terms of Reference.
Data and Evaluation
Music Mark will monitor use of the scheme and report regularly to ABRSM. During the pilot, we may approach music services for case studies to illustrate the impact of the scheme.
Terms and Conditions
By participating in this scheme, music services agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Terms of Reference.
Get in Touch
Music services should contact Music Mark with any questions about the Exam Discount Scheme. Queries sent to ABRSM will be directed to Music Mark, as managing partner for the scheme.
Next Steps
When you open the Discount Request Form you may get a file format error message. To fix this, add an ‘x’ to the end of the file name so that it ends ‘.xlsx’.
About the Provider
ABRSM
ABRSM is the UK's largest music education body, one of its largest music publishers and the world's leading provider of music exams, holding over 650,000 assessments in more than 90 countries every year.
Music Mark
We are a membership organisation, Subject Association, and an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) advocating for excellent musical learning in and out of school.
