Powering the
Music of Tomorrow

We are delighted to be building on our long-term collaboration with the BBC, further enhancing a shared commitment to developing emerging talent and opening new routes into careers in music and broadcasting. Adding to the BBC Philharmonic’s residency at the RNCM, the long-standing professional experience scheme with the orchestra, and in addition to the continuing RNCM / BBC New Generation Artist Fellowship and the recent BBC Introducing @ RNCM all day festival, a number of new initiatives will be put in place this year. These include: a placement in production in BBC Audio North, the BBC’s in-house audio production hub, working with Radio 3; a side-by-side performance of the world-renowned BBC Singers and the RNCM’s acclaimed Chamber Choir. The RNCM will also be part of the pilot of the BBC’s new venture, PHARE, an initiative envisaged as a creator-facing ecosystem to support creation, rights ownership, discoverability, licensing and monetisation, with a particular focus on emerging artists. A number of other initiatives are under discussion, further strengthening the impact of this important partnership.

Launched in 2026, RNCM Futures+ is our dedicated hub for RNCM graduates and emerging artists, designed to support the transition from student to professional musician and provide ongoing career development opportunities. 

With the generous support of Purposeful Ventures, RNCM Futures+ reflects our commitment to helping graduates build sustainable and fulfilling careers in music. Their investment enables us to provide paid development opportunities, professional networks, and tailored careers support at a pivotal stage in our graduates’ journeys. 

At the RNCM, we want our students to power the music industry and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Throughout their studies, we equip them with the creative, professional, and entrepreneurial skills, leadership qualities, and confidence to forge their own paths and build sustainable careers. Our commitment does not end at graduation. Through RNCM Futures+, we continue to support graduates as they establish themselves as early-career artists and remain connected to our global alumni community. 

Building on the extensive industry engagement opportunities already available at the RNCM, including placements, creative projects, and professional experience schemes, RNCM Futures+ strengthens our support for graduates taking their first steps into the profession. Through a new careers and professional development hub, we offer a range of paid opportunities alongside tailored careers support. 

Paid Opportunities:

• Creative Innovators: Graduate Edition
  Four annual financial awards and packages of mentoring to ensure RNCM graduates can develop entrepreneurial and creative business ventures.
• Junior Fellowships
  Ten paid 12-month fellowships offering early-career artists the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of RNCM projects while developing their professional practice.
• RNCM String Quartet Studio
  A one-year intensive graduate training programme in chamber music, providing advanced coaching and opportunities to work alongside undergraduate students.
• RNCM ENO Incubator
  A paid 12-month programme supporting early-career artists developing new operatic work.
• RNCM Artist Agency
  Our in-house booking agency connects current students and RNCM graduates with paid performance opportunities across corporate, private and public events.

Careers and Professional Development Support

RNCM Futures+ also provides ongoing careers support through our Alumni team, including:

• A dedicated Connect portal featuring a jobs board, industry opportunities and bespoke professional development resources.
• A mentoring programme matching graduates with experienced members of the RNCM alumni network.
• Professional networking and careers events delivered both online and in person throughout the year.

Alongside RNCM Futures+, the RNCM is thrilled to announce new multiyear funding from Purposeful Ventures to create a dedicated RNCM Futures+ stream that gives support for artists who have experienced financial barriers.

For today’s children and young people, finding high-quality learning opportunities to develop as musicians is becoming harder. We know that the music teaching workforce in the UK is in decline – our Music Hub partners tell us that recruiting and retaining high quality instrumental and vocal tutors is becoming more challenging, with far fewer younger teachers entering the profession. 

The RNCM already offers professional development activities for music services, hubs, and other organisations that employ and engage teachers, giving opportunities for teachers to learn from our outstanding staff. We will bring this work together under the banner of RNCM Teach. 

Within this, we have formed a partnership with the Chartered College of Teaching and we will bring together Music Hubs and Services to design and develop a professional development programme for Instrumental and Vocal Teachers that will lead to accreditation by the Chartered College of Teaching

RNCM Renew is a transformational 10-year capital programme designed to revitalise our iconic campus and ensure that, more than 50 years after opening its doors, the RNCM remains at the forefront of music education, performance, innovation, and community engagement.

At its heart, RNCM Renew is about creating the conditions for the next generation of musicians, composers, performers, and creative leaders to thrive.

The first phase, from 2026 to 2030, will see more than £10 million invested in essential infrastructure, improving the safety, accessibility, sustainability, and resilience of our campus. Alongside this, £3 million will be invested in our flagship performance spaces, transforming the Theatre with advanced sound, performance, and research capabilities, and enhancing the Concert Hall through major sound and lighting upgrades.

We will also establish a new Production Lab, giving students access to industry-standard technologies, tools and creative environments that reflect the realities of a rapidly evolving music sector.

Looking ahead, the centrepiece of RNCM Renew will be the RNCM Studios, opening by 2036. This landmark development will bring together a collection of digitally enabled studios, rehearsal rooms and flexible performance spaces, creating a dedicated home for new and original music. Designed to foster collaboration, experimentation, and creative entrepreneurship, the Studios will support artists working across genres, disciplines and technologies, while strengthening Manchester’s position as a global music city.

Together, RNCM Renew and the RNCM Studios will transform our campus, future-proof our facilities, and provide an inspiring environment in which creativity, innovation, and talent can flourish for generations to come.

The RNCM has launched the Institute for Research in Music, Place and Society, marking a major milestone following the award of Research Degree Awarding Powers and the launch of the institution’s own PhD programme. Building on 15 years of specialist music research, the institute will strengthen the RNCM’s work in music education, community and intercultural music-making, heritage, and music and wellbeing.

The new institute supports the RNCM’s ambition to expand national and international research partnerships, influence policy, and deepen its impact across Manchester, the North West, and beyond. A second institute, focused on artistic innovation, is planned within the next 18 months.

The RNCM is currently home to 43 PhD students, alongside eight students on the new Advanced Artist Diploma, a doctoral-level programme designed to support exceptional artists in advancing creative practice through bespoke research projects.