Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Career Development
Associate Award in Performance
Push your boundaries with our performance specialist qualifications at Level 4 and Level 6. These Associate Awards are regulated performance only qualifications that are designed to lead on from Grade 8 Graded Music and Performance Arts Awards exams.
Take your performance to the next level with RSL Awards.
Specialise in performance and get the recognition your technical skills deserve, no matter your age or location.
Associate Award: Key features
- Available to learners of any age
- Learners can continue developing their performance skills in music and performing arts beyond Grade 8.
- Assessment solely based on a performance, there are no written components
- Externally assessed by RSL’s expert examining panel
- The qualifications carry post-nominals: PRSL (Practitioner of RSL) at L4 and APRSL (Advanced Practitioner of RSL) at L6.
Keep Your Progress on Track
If you or your students have successfully completed a Grade 8 Rockschool, RSL Classical or PAA exam, these qualifications look to take performance skills to a professional level.
Complete Accessibility
The Associate Award offers practical alternatives to RSL’s Professional Diplomas and allow learners of any age to continue developing their performance skills beyond Grade 8. All evidence is submitted online for external assessment by RSL by individual candidates.
Practically Focused
There are no written components to these qualifications. Assessment is solely based on performance, providing recognition of a higher level of technical and professional performance skills.
Post Nominals
Achievement of these qualifications entitle you to use the following post nominal letters after your name at Level 4 and Level 6 respectively: PRSL (Practitioner of RSL) and APRSL (Advanced Practitioner of RSL).
Academically Rigorous
The PRSL qualification (RQF Level 4) is broadly equivalent in terms of performance demand to the first year of a university degree, whilst the APRSL (RQF Level 6) is equivalent to the performance demand of a final year of an undergraduate degree.
Candidate Support
Indicative repertoire lists demonstrate how these qualifications can be undertaken in a range of styles or genres, exemplifying the standard expected at each level. Submission guidance and information on how to select an appropriate theme are also available to candidates.
How it works
Get started with your performance specialist qualification effortlessly. Let us guide you through the simple steps to get started…
01
Download the syllabus
Download the supporting guidance to review the requirements and processes, including repertoire approval guidance, for this qualification.
02
Purchase your entry
Purchase your entry to gain access to your unit modules and submissions portal.
03
Gain your qualification
Upload your work to our submissions portal for moderation by our expert examining panel.
Entry Requirements
While there are no formal entry requirements for these qualifications, Level 4 qualifications are broadly equivalent in terms of demand, but not in terms of size, to the first year of a university degree and Level 6 qualifications are broadly equivalent in terms of demand, but not in terms of size, to the final year of an undergraduate degree. Indicative repertoire lists are available for a range of disciplines. In addition to providing repertoire suggestions, these are also a useful resource to gain further insight into the level of skill required for these qualifications and prospective candidates should be directed toward these for guidance on the level of demand.
Your Standout Performance
The Level 4 and Level 6 Associate Awards are for individual candidates of any age looking to undertake a qualification that focuses solely on performance beyond Grade 8 in music or performing arts. These qualifications empower candidates to push their boundaries and unleash their potential as performers, whilst offering a practical alternative to the RSL Professional Diplomas.
The content of the performance is dictated by the complexity of the repertoire chosen for an individual discipline/instrument as described in the syllabus specifications. You may choose one of the following disciplines/instruments which is offered by RSL.
Music
Any discipline that RSL currently offers at Grade 8:
- Electric Guitar
- Acoustic Guitar
- Classical Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Ukulele
- Drums
- Piano
- Classical Piano
- Keyboard
- Vocals
- Classical Violin
Dance
- Street Dance
- Jazz Dance
Performing Arts
- Musical Theatre (Acting and/or Singing and/or Dancing)
- Acting
Performance Duration
You will be expected to perform a programme of own choice pieces with a duration of:
35 minutes at Level 4
40 minutes at Level 6
Please download the indicative repertoire lists below…
Purchase Your Entries
Purchase your entries for the Associate Award in Performance via our online shop. You will then be able complete your entry details and access any relevant qualification resources.
Associate Award: Level 6
Associate Award: Level 4
Syllabus downloads
Download the Level 4 & 6 Associate Award syllabuses and resources to get started.
Level 4 Associate Award Syllabus Specification
pdf
1.8 MB
Level 6 Associate Award Syllabus Specification
pdf
1.8 MB
Level 4 Associate Award: Indicative Repertoire (Music)
pdf
199.1 KB
Level 4 Associate Award: Indicative Repertoire (Performing Arts)
pdf
815.3 KB
Level 4 Associate Award: Submission Guidance
pdf
178.0 KB
Level 6 Associate Award: Indicative Repertoire (Music)
pdf
199.5 KB
Level 6 Associate Award: Indicative Repertoire (Performing Arts)
pdf
640.9 KB
Level 6 Associate Award: Submission Guidance
pdf
178.1 KB
Associate Award Fees
Please see the information below for all relevant UK fees
| Exam Grade | Price (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Associate Award Level 4 | £170 |
| Associate Award Level 6 | £230 |
Late Entry, Date Changes & Deferrals
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Retake Fee | £35 |
| Extension | Year one free. £15 if deferring booking past two years. |
Enquiries About Results/Appeals
| Service | Fee | Cap for multiple candidates | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remark | Remark of a Single unit = 12.5% of total fee with the same cap applied for multiple learners | 12.5% of total fee | if there is a change of grade |
| First level appeal | 60% of exam fee | £150 | if enquiry is upheld |
| Second level appeal | 75% of exam fee | £200 | if enquiry is upheld |
Replacement Certificate
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Replacement Certificate | £10 |
Key Dates
There are no set dates for the Associate Award, you can enter anytime. You have one year to complete your qualification. Extensions to this time can be applied for by directly contacting RSL Awards.
Getting Started
Once you’ve purchased your Associate Award entries, sign in to complete your entry details and access your qualification resources.
General Information
For operational, general information and FAQs relating to our Performance Specialist, please head over to our help centre.
Any questions?
Get in touch and our team of experts will get right back to you…
Create your RSL Account
Access everything you need from your secure RSL Awards account. Get started today.
