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Postgraduate Research Degrees

The RNCM is firmly established as a leading centre for advanced study not only in music performance and composition, but also in theoretical and applied music research. Its MPhil / PhD programme provides an opportunity to conduct high-level research within the dynamic, creative, and supportive environment of an internationally recognised conservatoire.

Postgraduate students undertaking research degrees within the Graduate School at RNCM are part of a lively community of world-class scholars and creative practitioners, with access to outstanding resources and facilities, supervision of the highest calibre, individually-tailored research training and a range of opportunities for career development and enhancement.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees are validated by Manchester Metropolitan University and awarded by RNCM. There are four specialist pathways:

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

Full-time MPhil and PhD degrees usually take 18 months and three years, respectively, from registration (backdated to enrolment at RNCM); both research degrees, in all pathways, can also be taken part-time over three and six years respectively.

Start dates are the first day of the academic term in September (deadline for application: 1 June), and exceptionally, January (deadline for application: 1 November) and April (deadline for application: 1 February).

How to apply

Please read the Guidelines for Applicants and browse the research interests of RNCM staff to determine who might be a potential supervisor for your research project.

You are very strongly advised to discuss your ideas for research, informally, before you submit a formal application, with:

• Prof. Richard Wistreich, Dean of Research and Enterprise ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Musicology and Performance
• Prof. Jane Ginsborg, Associate Dean of Research and Enterprise ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Music Psychology
• Prof. Adam Gorb, Head of Composition ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ): Composition.

Once you have received feedback on your proposed research from the appropriate member of staff, and are ready to make a formal application, you should go to

http://www.rncm.ac.uk/component/content/article/64/730.html.

Here you will be asked to complete and submit an on-line enquiry form. Once we have received this information, you will be sent an invitation e-mail containing an application ID. You will need your application ID to proceed to the on-line application portal

http://myportal.rncm.ac.uk/SelfService/default.htm.

You should now search for the relevant MPhil / PhD programme in Musicology, Music Psychology, Performance or Composition and apply. While research proposals and additional materials can be attached to the portal at the time of application, hard copy material (e.g. scores and DVDs) can be sent by post, in the format described in the Guidelines, to:

Dr Sara Wolfson
Research and Enterprise Administrator
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9RD.

Entry requirements

Applicants for MPhil/PhD should normally hold a good Master’s degree (MMus, MA, MSc or equivalent) in a relevant subject, which included a research component.

Candidates will normally enrol for MPhil for the first 12 months of full-time study, before transferring, subject to successful review, to the PhD programme; likewise, students enrolled in the RNCM’s MMus taught degree programme, who have successfully completed 60 credits of research training, may be eligible to apply for transfer to MPhil.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the minimum standard for entry to MPhil/PhD is an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.0 in reading, listening, writing and speaking, or acceptable equivalent. English-language comprehension and writing standards may be tested further at interview.

If you are unsure of the status of your qualifications, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2011-2012 are:

Home and EU students:
£5,000 (full-time)
£2,550 (part-time)

Overseas students:
£11,000 (full-time)
£5,550 (part-time)
 
Fees for all UK and EU undergraduate students are regulated by the UK government. All fees and charges are reviewed annually.

RNCM Research Degree Studentships 2012-2013

The RNCM currently offers (i) an AHRC-funded Postgraduate Research Studentship, (ii) an RNCM Postgraduate Research Studentship, both of which  include full tuition fees and an annual maintenance stipend of £13,590 pro rata (in line with UK Research Council funding rates), and (iii) an RNCM Postgraduate Research Studentship that covers full tuition fees only.  These studentships are offered for three years (full-time) or six years (part-time), subject to a satisfactory annual review of progress.  They are awarded competitively to suitably qualified applicants who have accepted either a full-time or part-time place on the MPhil / PhD programme, starting their studies in the academic year beginning September 2012.

To be considered for a research studentship, applicants must submit a clearly articulated case for support, of no more than 750 words, in addition to the research proposal that accompanies the formal application. Cases for support should state how the MPhil / PhD programme will contribute to applicants’ long-term career aims and provide evidence of their capability of pursuing and successfully completing the programme by detailing their preparation for the programme, if appropriate, and relevant previous experience.

Note that award holders must be citizens of the European Union or have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years.

Deadlines for applications to the MPhil / PhD programme 2012-2013

The deadlines for formal applications to the MPhil / PhD programme, if you are NOT applying for a studentship, are as specified: 1 June to start in September, and, exceptionally, 1 November to start in January and 1 February to start in April.

For applicants wishing to be considered for studentships (AHRC, RNCM and RNCM fees-only award), the deadline for formal applications to the MPhil / PhD programme, with completed cases for support and referees’ reports, is 5pm on Friday 2 March 2012.

Successful candidates must have applied for a place on the MPhil/PhD programme, have been offered it, and have formally accepted it by 23 April 2012 to be eligible to take up the studentship.

Further information

For further information please complete the Postgraduate Enquiry Form, or contact Dr Sara Wolfson via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0161 907 5228.