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Madrid Arts Education 2026/27: dates, tests and more than 3,000 places
The Community of Madrid has opened registrations for entry tests in Music, Dance, Drama, Design and Visual Arts for the 2026/27 academic year, with more than 3,000 places, different calendars according to the course and procedures that can be completed online through RAÍCES.
How to enrol in Madrid’s Arts Education programmes for the 2026/27 academic year
The Community of Madrid has already opened registration for the entrance examinations for the different Arts Education programmes next academic year. The public offering is broad: the regional network has 25 centres (11 music conservatoires, three dance conservatoires, five art schools and six higher education centres) and more than 10,500 students. More than 3,000 places are available for the 2026/27 academic year. Below you will find a detailed guide, with deadlines, requirements and links so that you do not miss anything.
Key dates for Arts Education in Madrid 2026/27
Elementary and professional music and dance programmes open registration from 9 to 30 April 2026.
Higher arts education programmes open registration from 13 to 30 April 2026.
The first round of examinations will be between 8 and 19 June 2026.
If places remain, there will be a second round, with registration from 6 to 10 July and examinations from 17 to 21 July 2026.
Professional Visual Arts and Design programmes open registration from 15 to 26 June 2026.
In addition, higher education programmes have a prior admissions timetable: provisional lists are published on 11 May; appeals are accepted on 12 and 13 May, and final lists are published on 20 May.
What the different programmes offer
Elementary and Professional Music and Dance Programmes
Minimum age: 8 years.
Duration: four academic years in elementary programmes and six academic years in professional programmes.
Qualification: elementary studies award a qualification specific to the Community of Madrid; professional programmes award a qualification valid throughout Spain.
Entrance examination: you must pass an aptitude test. In music, hearing, auditory ability and voice are assessed; in dance, physical condition, expressiveness and musical sense are assessed.
Registration dates and method: from 9 to 30 April. It can be done through the RAÍCES virtual office (which requires identification through Cl@ve or educational credentials) or in person at the chosen conservatoire.
Higher Arts Education
Specialisms: Music, Drama, Dance, Design, and the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property.
Places available: the 2026/27 call reserves a total of more than 3,000 places at higher education centres.
Academic requirements: you need to hold a Bachiller qualification, Higher Technician qualification, higher arts education or university qualification, or have passed the university entrance examination for people over 25.
Specific entrance examination: the Community organises an annual examination that assesses maturity and aptitude for each specialism. In drama, dance and music, the examination includes specific sections by pathway, instrument or style.
Timetable: registration from 13 to 30 April. Provisional lists on 11 May, appeals on 12 and 13 May and final lists on 20 May. The examinations are held from 8 to 19 June; if places remain, there will be a second round with registration from 6 to 10 July and examinations from 17 to 21 July.
Registration and processing: applications should preferably be submitted through the RAÍCES virtual office or the Community of Madrid’s electronic office. You must prove that you meet the academic requirement and follow the instructions in the call.
Visual Arts and Design (vocational courses)
Offering: 34 intermediate and advanced vocational courses.
Duration: each course lasts two academic years.
Requirements: for intermediate level, you need an ESO qualification or equivalent studies. For advanced level, a Bachiller qualification, Technician or Higher Technician qualification, or equivalent studies are required.
Entrance examination: if you do not have the academic requirement, you must pass a common examination and a specific one. The content assesses both theoretical knowledge (ESO or Bachillerato subjects) and artistic aptitude.
Exemptions: those who can prove work experience in one of the courses may be exempt from the specific examination.
Timetable: registration from 15 to 26 June. Each art school organises its specific examination after that deadline.
Where to study: the Community of Madrid has five art schools spread across the region. Each centre publishes the places offered and the examination timetable on its website.
How to enrol step by step
Prepare the documentation. You will need your DNI/NIE, the academic qualification that gives you access or a certificate of current studies and, where applicable, documents proving work experience for exemptions. For some specialisms (music and dance), recordings or medical reports may be required.
Choose the processing route. The RAÍCES virtual office lets you submit the application and upload documents from home. You can identify yourself using Cl@ve, a digital certificate or Roble/RAÍCES educational credentials. You can also submit the application through the Community’s electronic office or in person at the chosen centre.
Complete the application and pay the fee. Select the level (elementary, professional, higher or visual arts course), the specialism and the centre. Attach the documentation and pay the relevant fee (which varies by level). Keep the receipt.
Follow the timetable. Check the publication of provisional and final lists on the Community of Madrid’s and the centre’s websites. If you have applied for higher arts education, remember that the examinations are concentrated between 8 and 19 June. For Visual Arts, schools will publish their dates after 26 June.
Complete enrolment if you pass the examination. Once you have passed the examination and the allocation of places has been published, you will have to complete enrolment at the centre, usually in early July for music/dance and in late July for art courses.
Tips and reminders
Do not leave registration until the last day. The RAÍCES platform can become overloaded on deadline dates and each level has its own time limit. Organise your documents in advance.
Check the requirements for each specialism carefully. Specific examinations vary: a musician must prepare repertoire and hearing tests; in dance, technique, improvisation and expressiveness are assessed; in visual arts, it is advisable to revise drawing, design and art theory.
Check the places available at each centre. From May onwards, conservatoires and schools publish how many places there are for each specialism. This will help you choose.
Pay attention to appeals. If you have applied for higher arts education and do not appear on the provisional list, you have two days to appeal.
Find out about grants and aid. In addition to registration, the Community of Madrid usually calls for residence grants and study aid for arts education students. The information is published on the same electronic office.
Where to find more information
Professional Arts Education Portal: requirements and deadlines for music, dance and visual arts.
Higher Arts Education Portal: entry requirements and degree offering.
Electronic office processing guide: step-by-step instructions for submitting applications online.
RAÍCES Virtual Office: Virtual Office of teaching centres
Specific examinations and higher education timetable: Specific entrance examinations for higher arts education
With this guide, you should be able to plan your entry to the Community of Madrid’s Arts Education programmes for the 2026/27 academic year in time.
Good luck with the examinations!