All musical abilities are catered for, from intermediate (grade 7) to advanced postgraduate and mature students. A selection of our summer school courses are specifically designed for advanced musicians pursuing a career in music. There’s a selection process for these courses: full details online.

There are no lower or upper age limits on any of the Summer School courses. Courses are taught in an adult style and young students should expect to be sharing sessions and collaborating with adult musicians. It is up to each parent’s discretion to decide if they feel this is suitable for their child.

We welcome younger students, but they must be in Grade 7 or 8. Students aged 16-18 are required to bring a parent or guardian. For those over 18, no parental accompaniment is needed.

Students between 16-18 can be supervised by a suitably qualified houseparent.

The Summer School operates to a structure of timetabled sessions, allowing each participant to build a daily itinerary tailored to their personal interest and energy. The schedule for each course is advertised on our website, and full details will be outlined in your course pack on accepting your place.

All of our courses run differently with their own structure and teaching format. Some will take the form of group work sessions, whilst others a more like a traditional masterclass, some bridge both camps. For detailed information on the structure and teaching style of a particular course, please see the course listings or contact our Festival administrator.

Most frequently our courses begin at 10.30am on the start date and finish no late than 5.30pm. However, please note that the quantity of teaching time will vary depending on the courses which you choose to follow. If you have any questions about the format of the course which you have selected, please see the course listings or contact our Festival administrator.

Some courses offer performance opportunities as the culmination of the week, and many courses leaders choose to hold informal presentations of work in the final sessions. Details on this can be found in the individual course descriptions.

Our 2022 Summer School will be hosted virtually and on a popular video conferencing site. Full details of how to access these sessions will be given on acceptance of your place onto a course, and a detailed course pack will be sent.

Yes. Applicants are evaluated each year by the course tutor who will make a selection of students based on the merits of this submission.

All of the main courses at the Summer School run for the whole week, it is not possible to follow different courses on a day-by-day basis.

As a general rule, if you would be expected to bring your instrument to a concert as a performer, you will need to bring it to the Summer School. For example, a cello player will need to bring their instrument with them, but a pianist can expect to find an instrument in their course space.

Yes, we require all course participants to bring their own music stand. As part of our COVID-19 precautions there will not be any communal music stands in rehearsal spaces.

Some courses do require participants to use specific or allocated music. MusicFest Aberystwyth will provide copies of music scores required, when applicable.

If you decide before the festival that you wish to change one of your courses please contact our Festival administrator who will be able to advise on this matter.

Please consult our Terms and Conditions for full information on cancellation procedures.

Bookings for courses are open right until the start of each week. Many courses will fill up early, for the most popular courses sometimes as early as May in a given year. We recommend booking as soon as you are ready to confirm your plans.

Courses can be booked online through the Aberystwyth Musicfest website. Once your booking is complete, an Aberystwyth Musicfest representative will contact you within one week to confirm your entry.

Summer School: Full refunds are available for cancellations made before 31st May, except where a deposit has been paid. After 31st May, all bookings are non-refundable. We recommend participants take out holiday insurance that includes cancellation cover for the full cost of their booking.

Festival Tickets: If you can no longer attend the festival, please visit the Aberystwyth Arts Centre website to request a refund.

If for any reason you are no longer able to make the festival and have purchased a ticket, please head to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre website to gain a refund. 

Participants must be grade Six or above to join the course

We welcome younger students, but they must be in Grade 7 or 8. Students aged 16-18 are required to bring a parent or guardian. For those over 18, no parental accompaniment is needed.

No, accommodation is not included and must be booked separately through the university. Please visit the accommodation page for more information

Check-in is available from 1 pm on Saturday in July at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, located on the university campus next to the accommodation.

Early check in can be made by individual arrangement.

Early check-in  is possible but only with prior agreement.

Check out is required by 10 am on the 3rd August 2025.

Bedding and towels are provided in all rooms. The accommodation is self-catering, with basic amenities included. All rooms are single occupancy with en-suite bathrooms – no shared rooms.

Unfortunately pets are not allowed in any university accommodation or teaching rooms.

We do have a selection of accessible rooms with wet room facilities. Please include information about any access requirements with your booking.

Please contact site security at Aberystwyth University accommodation for assistance with lost property.

All bookings are non-refundable after 14th June 2024. Please note that the £100 deposit is also non-refundable. We strongly recommend that all participants take out holiday insurance that includes cancellation cover equal to or greater than the total cost of their booking. If you wish to cancel, please email Joan@abermusicfest…

Everyone will receive a parking permit on arrival.

Aberystwyth Railway Station.

A coach will pick students up from the station.

The closest airport is Birmingham Airport. Many international students often fly into a London airport and then take a train to Aberystwyth.