This page provides the current application deadlines, examination schedules and entry fees for RCO Accreditation.
Always check the relevant qualification page and regulations before submitting an application.
Applications for the Certificate of Accredited Membership (CAM), and supporting material for assessment, can be submitted at any time. Assessments are administered on a quarterly basis, working to entry deadlines on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October.
Figures in brackets give the rates for students.
There are two options for the assessment of the Practical Module (Solo Pieces and Accompaniment, per Stage):
Assessment of the Supporting Portfolio (per Stage): £47 (£32)
Application deadlines for examination year July (Summer) 2026 to January (Winter) 2027 are as follows:
The usual pattern for practical examinations is for two weeks of examining in London, usually in the middle and final weeks of January and July. Practical examinations in Huddersfield and (during the summer session) Edinburgh will take place in the remaining weeks of July. If more precise information is available for the forthcoming session it will be published here.
Click here for the schedules for Written Papers in Summer 2026.
Click here for the schedule for Organ Performance examinations in Summer 2026.
Click here for the schedule for Keyboard Skills Portfolio examinations in Summer 2026.
Click here for the schedules for Written Papers in Winter 2027.
Click here for the schedule for Organ Performance examinations in Winter 2027.
Click here for the schedule for Keyboard Skills Portfolio examinations in Summer 2026.
Practical examinations in person will take place during the following periods:
London
Weeks commending 13 and 27 July.
Huddersfield
Dates to be confirmed.
Edinburgh
Dates to be confirmed.
Student fees for ARCO and FRCO relate to fees (inc. VAT) payable by candidates in full-time education. Candidates over 16 years of age seeking to pay student fees must supply evidence of registration in full-time education.
| Diploma | Full Fee (inc. VAT) | Student Fee (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Colleague (CRCO) | ||
| Whole Examination * | £394 | £325 |
| Practical Examination (Organ Performance & Keyboard Skills Portfolio) only | £335 | £276 |
| Subsequent Examination in Organ Performance only | £298 | £246 |
| Subsequent Examination in Keyboard Skills Portfolio only | £149 | £123 |
| Written Paper only | £143 | £118 |
| Written Paper Part A or Part B only | £114 | £94 |
| Associateship (ARCO) | ||
| Whole Examination * | £558 | £460 |
| Practical Examination (Organ Performance & Keyboard Skills Portfolio) only | £456 | £376 |
| Subsequent Examination in Organ Performance only | £416 | £343 |
| Subsequent Examination in Keyboard Skills Portfolio only | £240 | £198 |
| Written Papers only | £298 | £246 |
| Subsequent Examination in one written paper only | £213 | £176 |
| Written Paper II Part A or Part B only | £144 | £119 |
| Fellowship (FRCO) | ||
| Whole Examination * | £833 | £666 |
| Practical Examination (Organ Performance & Keyboard Skills Portfolio) only | £676 | £541 |
| Subsequent Examination in Organ Performance only | £649 | £519 |
| Subsequent Examination in Keyboard Skills Portfolio only | £324 | £259 |
| Written Papers only | £402 | £322 |
| Subsequent Examination in one written paper only | £296 | £237 |
*Members may not apply for the whole examination if they have already passed part(s) of this examination.
The choral directing diplomas are being introduced in stages over two years.
The Colleague Diploma in Choral Directing is now open to applicants. The initial deadline for applications and submissions is 1 July 2026. Thereafter, the CChD(RCO) will follow a twice-yearly cycle, with application/submission deadlines on 1 October and 1 April.
The Associateship Diploma in Choral Directing will launch in late 2026, and will follow a twice-yearly cycle, with application/submission deadlines on 1 April and 1 October.
The Fellowship Diploma in Choral Directing, a redevelopment of the College’s current Diploma in Choral Directing, will launch in early 2027, with one application/submission deadline per year of 1 July.
| Qualification | Application deadline(s) | Assessment format |
|---|---|---|
| CChD(RCO) | 1 April / 1 October | Portfolio submission |
| AChD(RCO) | 1 April / 1 October | Portfolio submission |
| FChD(RCO) | 1 July | Portfolio submission |
Figures in brackets give the rates for students.
Diploma of Colleague in Choral Directing — CChD(RCO)
Whole examination (Rehearsal and Performance Portfolio and Reflective Critique on the Rehearsal and Performance Portfolio): £394 incl. VAT (£325 incl. VAT)
Subsequent examination in the Reflective Critique: £149 incl. VAT (£123 incl. VAT)
The fees for the Associateship and Fellowship diplomas will be announced in due course.
Detailed information about examination structure, repertoire requirements and submission guidance is available across the Accreditation pages of this website, and in the regulations for each qualification.
If you have additional questions about deadlines, fees or examination entry, please contact: