Trinity College London offers a range of access arrangements (often called reasonable adjustments) so that candidates with special educational needs, disabilities, or health conditions can demonstrate their skills fairly, while the integrity of the assessment is fully maintained.
What counts as a disability?
Under the Equality Act 2010, a disability is “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial, long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”
Principles Trinity Follows
- Create an inclusive exam environment and treat every candidate individually.
- Make adjustments only when they do not compromise exam validity or assessment standards.
- Marking standards and published criteria stay exactly the same for all candidates.
How to apply
Exam type | Where to send the form | Minimum notice |
|---|---|---|
| Face-to-face practical (Classical & Jazz / Rock & Pop) | music-csn@trinitycollege.co.uk or your local Trinity Representative | 28 days before the exam (6 weeks if Braille / modified materials are needed) |
| Digital Grades & Diplomas (Classical & Jazz / Rock & Pop) | music-csn@trinitycollege.co.uk or your local Trinity Representative — do not upload the form to the submission platform | At time of enrolment |
| Music Theory (paper or digital) | Submit a new special-needs form for every session | At time of enrolment |
A new form must be submitted for every exam, even if adjustments were approved previously. Requests handed to the examiner on the day of the exam will not be accepted.
Supporting evidence
Evidence is required only for adjustments that could give an unfair advantage or alter exam content.
It must come from a qualified medical or educational professional and explain how the condition affects access to the specific exam.
Trinity may reject a request if information is insufficient.
Evidence is kept on file for up to three years (for face-to-face exams).
Evidence-required checklist (face-to-face)
Adjustment | Evidence needed? |
|---|---|
| Extra time | Yes |
| Enlarged / modified tests | No |
| Memory test | Yes |
| Aural awareness test | Yes |
| Braille tests | No |
| Scale book | Yes |
| Examiner briefed | No |
Evidence-required checklist (digital)
Adjustment | Evidence needed? |
|---|---|
| Examiner briefed | No |
| Extended recording time | No |
| Scale book | Yes* |
| Modified materials | No |
* Where evidence is required, wait for Trinity approval before recording the exam video.
Examples of reasonable adjustments
| Exam mode | Key adjustments available |
|---|---|
| Face-to-face | • Extra time (up to half may be used to prepare unseen tests): Initial-3 → +3 min, 4-5 → +4 min, 6-8 → +5 min; • Enlarged / Modified Stave / coloured tests • Memory test (visual impairment) • Aural awareness test (hearing impairment) • Braille tests (prep time 5–20 min by grade) • Scale-book prompt • Examiner briefed • Typed-up report form (on request) |
| Digital | • Examiner briefed • Extended recording time (normally ≤ 5 min; longer only with justification) • Scale-book prompt • Modified scores (e.g. large print) |
Access to Centres (face-to-face)
For step-free access, parking, hearing loops or other physical features, contact the exam centre (or local Trinity representative) in advance of the session.
Special consideration
If illness, injury, or other adverse circumstances affect a candidate at or near the time of assessment, Trinity’s Special Consideration Policy may apply.
Appeals
If dissatisfied with a special-needs decision, an appeal can be emailed to appeals@trinitycollege.co.uk with supporting evidence.
Trinity aims to conclude appeals within 30 days, but this may delay the planned exam date.
See also:
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article