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Postgraduate Research Degrees

Postgraduate Research Degrees

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The RNCM’s postgraduate research degrees provide opportunities to conduct independent research guided by world-class specialist staff. If you have a strongly-defined idea of a research project in some aspect of music, and you want to be given the freedom to pursue that idea through a process of rigorous enquiry and reflection, then a research degree may well be the right course for you. If you take a research degree at the RNCM, you will be part of a lively and supportive community of world-class scholars and creative practitioners. You will have access to our outstanding resources and facilities, supervision of the highest calibre, individually-tailored research training and a range of opportunities for career development and enhancement.

There are two types of supervised research degrees offered to suitably qualified students: Master of Philosophy (MPhil) , which normally takes eighteen months (full time) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) , which normally takes three years (full time); flexible part-time modes of study are available. Degrees are validated by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and are awarded by the RNCM in one of four broad areas:

•    Musicology including the historical, analytical and cultural study of music
•    Music Psychology including both quantitative and qualitative research in the fields of expert music performance and training; music education and pedagogy; music and health
•    Composition in a variety of media and genres
•    Performance including performance practice and practice-as-research

You can browse the research interests of individual RNCM teaching staff to find out who might be a potential supervisor for your project.We strongly recommend that you send a brief outline proposal to the Dean of Research and Enterprise, Prof. Richard Wistreich, or the Associate Dean of Research and Enterprise, Dr Jane Ginsborg, via This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ; they will be able to provide further advice before you make your formal application.

Teaching and Supervision
All postgraduate research students are supported by a supervisory team, normally drawn from the RNCM’s specialist faculty and made up of a principal supervisor with specific expertise in the student’s area of research and a secondary supervisor, if appropriate, who provides additional advice and support. In addition, each student is assigned a Director of Studies at MMU who guides them through the processes of registration, progress management and eventual examination.

Entry Requirements
Applicants for the MPhil/PhD should normally hold a first postgraduate degree or equivalent. Candidates for the PhD will normally enrol on the MPhil for the first twelve months of full-time study, before transferring, subject to successful review; likewise, students enrolled in the RNCM’s MMus degree programme who have successfully completed 60 credits of research training may apply for transfer to MPhil.  For applicants whose first language is not English, the minimum standard for entry to these courses is 7.0 in an IELTS exam (International English Language Testing System) or acceptable equivalent. If you are unsure of the status of your qualifications, please contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Fees and Studentships
Annual Tuition Fees for 2010-2011 are £3,390 (full time) or £1,690 (part time).

The RNCM currently offers a Postgraduate Research Studentship, covering full tuition fees. The studentship is awarded competitively to a suitably qualified applicant who has already been accepted for study at the RNCM.

How to Apply
Applicants for the MPhil and PhD should apply through CUKAS , quoting the RNCM's institution code R57 and using programme codes 941F (full-time); 914P (part-time). For 'Pathway', students should select either: Musicology, Music Psychology,  Performance or Composition.

In addition you need to send a Research Proposal and, for the PhD in Composition, examples of prior work. These additional materials should be submitted either E This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   or by post to:

Admissions (PGR)
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester, M13 9RD
United Kingdom

in the format outlined in these guidance notes:  
Download

There are three possible entry points for the MPhil/PhD within the academic year: on the first day of the academic term in either September, January, or April.