Trinity College London was the first organization to offer examinations in music to external students in 1877.
The theory examinations are taken by pupils of all instruments and typically cover areas such as musical notation, harmony and composition.
The practical exams concentrate on a particular instrument (i.e., piano, guitar, flute) and style of music (i.e., classical, jazz, popular).
They cover elements such as playing set pieces, technical work including scales, sight reading, aural, musical knowledge and improvisation.
Some qualifications are recognised, in the admissions process for colleges and universities, as demonstrating the musical ability of the student.