The Associate Diploma of the Royal College of Organists recognises a high standard in organ playing, interpretative understanding and musical knowledge.
It is typically taken by advanced students and experienced musicians who wish to demonstrate confidence and accomplishment across performance, keyboard skills and supporting written and aural disciplines.
For many candidates, ARCO represents a significant stage in their musical development and a clear, informative step towards FRCO, the highest level of organ accreditation.
The Associateship Diploma indicates a standard of assured and accomplished musicianship in organ playing, together with well-developed technical control, interpretative understanding and supporting musical knowledge.
Candidates demonstrate:
ARCO reflects a level of musicianship that combines technical fluency with growing interpretative authority and musical insight.
ARCO is suitable for musicians who have developed beyond foundational and intermediate levels and are ready to demonstrate an accomplished level of musicianship.
Typical candidates include:
Some candidates progress directly from CRCO, while others may enter ARCO as their first diploma, based on equivalent experience and preparation.
If ARCO reflects your current experience and ambitions, you can find full entry information below.
“Achieving ARCO marks a huge milestone for me. It took a lot of hard work and much support from my teachers… Preparing to take ARCO was, in itself, a very rewarding process.”— Giuliana Tritto (UK)
ARCO assessment combines practical musicianship with written and aural disciplines, reflecting a well-rounded and integrated approach to organ study.
Assessment includes:
The examination is divided into two sections:
Each section may be entered separately, and section passes remain valid for a period of four years.
The Keyboard Skills Portfolio is completed through audio-visual submission only.
The Written Papers are completed through digitised submission only.
The organ performance part of the Practical Examination is completed in person at an examination centre. Where an exception has been applied for and granted in advance, this part may be completed through audio-visual submission.
All aspects of assessment can therefore be completed remotely if required, making the ARCO fully suitable for international candidates.
Full details of the examination structure and requirements are provided in the published regulations available at the bottom of this page.
Many candidates prepare for ARCO as part of sustained and structured organ study.
Preparation may include:
Details of these resources are available on the Candidate Hub page.
To enter the Associate of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO) examination you must be a Full Member, Student Member or Affiliate Student Member of the Royal College of Organists.
There is no formal prerequisite qualification, although candidates are expected to have reached a standard equivalent to CRCO or beyond.
Application deadlines are published in advance and should be checked carefully before entering.
Organ diploma examinations are held twice each year:
The latest deadlines and examination dates can be found on Key Dates & Fees >>
Fees for the whole examination, or entry and re-entry to individual components, are available on Key Dates & Fees >>
Applications are submitted online and can be completed in a few minutes.
1. Join the RCO
You must be a member before entering.
2. Sign in to the Member Area
Access the diploma entry system.
3. Complete the entry form
Select your examination session and pay the examination fee.
You will then receive confirmation and further information about the examination process.
Candidates should review the key documentation for the Associate of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO) examination.
These documents provide essential information about:
Key documents:
If you have questions about entry requirements, examination structure, or the suitability of ARCO for your current level, please contact the RCO Accreditation team:
We recommend reviewing the published regulations before contacting the team, as many common questions are answered there.