Trinity College London
Trinity College London (TCL) is an examination board based in London, United Kingdom, which offers graded and diploma qualifications (up to postgraduate level) across a range of disciplines in the performing arts and English language learning and teaching in over 70 countries worldwide. Trinity College London was founded as the external examinations board of Trinity College of Music (which today is part of the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance), and began offering exams in music to external students in 1877. Over time, Trinity expanded to offer exams in other areas of the performing arts and  in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Performing arts examinations. In 2004, Trinity College London's performing arts examinations division merged with the external examinations department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to form the "Trinity Guildhall" examinations board. The name Trinity Guildhall was dropped in 2012, and the board's performing arts examinations are now offered under the Trinity College London brand. Music. Trinity College London offers graded musical qualifications for musical theory and for performance in a range of string instruments, singing, piano, electronic keyboards, brass, woodwind instruments and percussions. The grading begins with the  Initial Grade then are numbered from Grade 1 to Grade 8 in increasing difficulty. Candidates are rated under three categories – the performance of musical pieces, technical work such as scales, and supporting tests such as sight reading and improvisation. Candidates are graded on a scale from 1 to 100, with 60 being the pass mark. Candidates have some flexibility in the choices of pieces and tests prepared for each of these sections. In addition to graded examinations, TCL also offers foundation, intermediate and advanced certificates in music. TCL also offers diplomas in music at three levels - Associate (ATCL, which is  equivalent to the standard of work required for a UK Certificate of Higher Education) and AmusTCL, Licentiate (LTCL, which is equivalent to the standard of work required for a UK Bachelor's degree) and Fellowship (FTCL, which is equivalent to the standard of work required for a UK Master's degree). In 2012, the exam board introduced Rock & Pop graded examinations for bass, drums, guitar, keyboard and vocals. Drama and performance. Trinity College London offers a choice of qualifications for students and teachers of drama and speech subjects with various levels of experience and ability. Exams can be taken by  individuals, pairs or groups. Study strands include: Speech and Drama, Individual Acting Skills, Group Performance, Shakespeare, Choral Speaking, Communication Skills, Musical Theatre and Performance Arts. As is the case with music, diplomas in drama, performance and communication subjects are also offered at three levels, and TCL is the awarding body for the series of professional performing arts courses that are funded in part by the Dance and Drama Awards scheme. Arts Award. Within the United Kingdom, Trinity College London manages Arts Award in association with Arts Council England. Language examinations. Assessments in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) were  first offered by Trinity College London in 1938. Trinity College London ESOL currently offers certificates for non-native speakers of English, and in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for teachers of non-native speakers of English.