Dates and fees
Dates and fees
Generally
Dates
There are three courses each year, starting in January, May and September. A course lasts 12 weeks. Exact dates are below.
Costs
The cost of taking the course comprises:- Course fee (tuition) This is a fixed amount.
- Materials A variable amount
- Accommodation
Details are below. All amounts are quoted and payable in Pounds Sterling (GB £). (Approximate equivalents of these costs in other currencies, and related notes are in information for students coming from outside Britain).
In the current year, 2024 - 2025
Dates
- 23rd September - 13th December 2024
- 6th January - 28th March 2025
- 5th May - 25th July 2025
Costs
The Course fee (tuition) for each of these is £5,750.
Materials are initially budgeted at £450. This is the average cost of high quality materials for one instrument. It does not account for extras (e.g. a case, acoustic pickup, or more expensive hardware). Any available materials, hardware and accessories can be supplied at the student's request. The exact cost is tallied near the end of the course. A balancing payment (occasionally, refund) is then made. Students are kept informed of the costs they are incurring all through, so that no nasty surprises are in store at the end.
Accommodation: Staying with a family in Totnes currently costs around £155 per week. That is, around £1,860 for the twelve weeks. A room, all meals (except lunch), and bills are generally included in this price. Students can, if they prefer, make their own arrangements.
In the coming year, 2025 - 2026
Dates
- 22nd September - 12th December 2025
- 5th January - 27th March 2026
- 4th May - 24th July 2026
Costs
The Course fee (tuition) for each of these is £5,875.
Materials are initially budgeted at £480. This is the average cost of high quality materials for one instrument. It does not account for extras (eg a case, acoustic pickup, or more expensive hardware). Any available materials, hardware and accessories can be supplied at the student's request. The exact cost is tallied near the end of the course. A balancing payment (occasionally, refund) is then made. Students are kept informed of the costs they are incurring all through, so that no nasty surprises are in store at the end.
Accommodation: In keeping with 2024-25, but with, inevitably, year-on-year increases.
Enrolment procedure and payment
To enrol in a course you need to fill in the online application form or print and send an application form by post. You also need to pay the deposit on fees of £850. Places are allocated in the order of our receiving applications. However, if you are in the process of applying, email or phone us and a place will be kept for you until your application form and deposit arrive. Formal confirmation of your place will be sent by return of post / email. At the beginning of the course, the balance of fees is due (tuition fee and materials budget, less the deposit already paid). In the year up to May 2025 this is £5,350. Near the end of the course any balance due for materials is paid. If, that is, materials add up to more than the £450 included in the earlier payment. On a few occasions materials might total less than £450. In this case a refund is made. The cost of accommodation is paid, usually every 4 weeks, directly to the family. The School acts here as an intermediary in setting up accommodation, but plays no financial part.
