Research Degree Programme

First, please note that PhD submissions (including theses and portfolios of submissions in composition and performance) are described in Section 12 of the RNCM-Man Met Regulations (Preparation and Presentation of Thesis).

Next, read the Guidelines for Applicants and browse the research interests of RNCM staff  to determine a prospective supervisor for your research project.

You are strongly advised to discuss your research project with the prospective supervisor you have identified, or with one of the members of staff listed below. They will not suggest specific topics to you; rather, they will expect you to be familiar with published and on-going research in your field of interest, and to be capable of constructing a proposal for an original research project.

• Composition: Dr Larry Goves ([email protected])
• Music Education: Professor John Habron-James ([email protected])
• Music Psychology: Dr Michelle Phillips  ([email protected])
• Musicology: Professor Nicholas Reyland ([email protected])
• Performance: Professor David Horne ([email protected])
• Pop: Dr Stuart McCallum ([email protected])

Once you have received feedback on your draft research proposal from the appropriate member of staff, have identified two referees who know your current or recent academic work, and are ready to make a formal application, you should download and complete an Application Form.

Applicants must download a PGR Reference Request and Report 2025 entry and send it to their referees. Referees must then complete the form and return it to [email protected].

Applicants for PhD are normally required to hold a good (Distinction or Merit) master’s qualification in a relevant subject, having undertaken research training and produced a dissertation and/or portfolio of compositions or performances. They will also be considered for a place on the RNCM-Manchester Metropolitan University research degree programme if they expect their master’s qualification to be awarded within the first three months after they have enrolled. All enrolments are expected to take place in September.

For applicants whose first language is not English, minimum scores on language tests are required for entry to all programmes of study at RNCM and Manchester Metropolitan University, regardless of how long applicants have lived in the UK and whether they undertook their bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees at UK higher education institutions. Applicants may be exempted if they achieved the minimum scores required before they undertook their master’s degree at RNCM, or another HEI where their learning was undertaken in English, and can provide evidence of having produced a dissertation of at least 8,000 words.

The minimum requirement for applicants to the composition and performance pathways is an average IELTS score of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any of the four components, or equivalent scores on a test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) taken no more than 12 months before the application was made.

The minimum requirement for applicants to the music education, music psychology and musicology pathways is an average IELTS score of 7.0 including a minimum of 7.0 for writing and no less than 6.0 in any of the other three components (listening, reading and speaking), or equivalent scores on a test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) taken no more than 12 months before the application was made.

If you are unsure of the status of your qualifications or require further information, please contact Charlotte Wheatcroft (Programmes and Assessments Coordinator [PGR]) at [email protected].

The RNCM is excited to announce the launch of a new AHRC-funded Crafting Care for a Healthy People, Place and Planet Doctoral Focal College (DFC), which will fund and train 30 PhD researchers between 2026 and 2029.

The Crafting Care DFC is a consortium of three universities in the North West of England: the University of Liverpool, the University of Lancashire, and the RNCM.

Project Areas

Recruitment of the first cohort of PhD researchers will be shaped around the following four project areas:

• Catalysing Care through Creative Arts/Practices
• Communicating and Curating Care
• Nourishing Care
• Spaces and Places for Care

Further information about each of these project areas can be found here.

Expression of Interest

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 1 December 2025 and the deadline for all PhD applications to the RNCM is 14 January 2026. Promising candidates will be supported to work with prospective PhD supervisors to develop a full PhD proposal by 1 April 2026. Two RNCM applicants will then be selected to join the first cohort of Crafting Care PhD students in October 2026 and receive a full AHRC studentship, including:

• payment of tuition fees for the duration of the studentship – typically three and a half years – at the home tuition fee rate
• an annual maintenance stipend (£20,780 in 2025/26 – 2026/27 rate TBC)
• reimbursement of research expenses via the Research Training Support Grant
• opportunities to apply for additional funding e.g. for placements and fieldwork

Please note that up to 30% of Crafting Care DFC awards can be offered to international candidates. In such cases, the difference between the home and international fee will be covered by the RNCM.

RNCM Studentship

In addition, the DFC has funding for one full RNCM Studentship (covering UK fees and stipend at UKRI rate), available for 2026 Entry.   Applicants wishing to be considered for this funding should state this explicitly in their application for PhD study at the RNCM.

Partner HEIs

The Crafting Care DFC will be delivered in partnership with 10 non-HEI Partners who represent a range of health, environment, and arts/culture organisations:

• Liverpool Philharmonic
• National Museums Liverpool
• DadaFest
• Liverpool Biennial
• The Mersey Forest
• Canal and River Trust
• Mersey Care
• Wirral Public Health
• Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
• Alder Hey Children’s Hospital

A small number of prospective PhD researchers will be invited to work with one of these non-HEI partners throughout their doctoral project, with formal co-supervision from the partner throughout the programme. All PhD researchers recruited to the college will have the opportunity to work with one of more of these partners through a placement during the course of their programme or by working alongside them in training and networking events.

Contact Us

If you are interested in applying for a Crafting Care DFC studentship through the RNCM, please visit the Meet Our Staff pages to identify a potential supervisor, and make contact. Please direct any general queries about the Crafting Care DFC to [email protected].

Take a look at the tuition fees for RNCM programme.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually.

A limited number of bursaries may be awarded on the basis of need and merit. You can apply if/when you have received an unconditional offer of a place on the RNCM research degree programme.

The deadline for applications for places with a September 2026 start is Wednesday 14 January 2026.

The deadline for Crafting Care DFC Expressions of Interest is 1 December 2025.

Further information
For questions related to the application process, please contact the RNCM Admissions Team on [email protected]. For questions related to the programme, contact Charlotte Wheatcroft, Programmes and Assessment Coordinator (PGR) at [email protected].