Advanced Artist Diploma
The Level 8 Advanced Artist Diploma (AAD) is a 12-month programme intended for advanced performers, composers, and producers pursuing careers as professional artists.
With an established track record of high-level artistic practice, students on the AAD will develop their skills, critical awareness, and artistic identity through immersive self-directed study and engagement with diverse audiences.
The programme centres on an artistic research project, devised by the student with support from a principal study professor and an artistic supervisor. Assessment is based on a final portfolio submission, which may take a variety of forms, such as a recital, a recording, or a set of compositions.
On a Level 8 (doctoral level) programme, it is expected that candidates demonstrate a high level of autonomy in devising, preparing, and executing their projects, and that the final portfolio makes a novel contribution to their field of artistic practice.
Key Information
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Course Code
- 550F (full time) and 550P (part time)
- Application Deadline
- 13 Jan 2027
- Fees
- Fee guide
Entry Requirements
Applicants for the AAD are normally required to hold a good (Distinction or Merit) master’s qualification in a relevant subject. They will also be considered for a place on the 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.
Potential applicants who do not meet these requirements should contact the Head of Doctoral Programmes ([email protected]).
Applicants whose native language is not English
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by achieving an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no individual component below 6.0.
For more information, please see this government guidance page. For an unconditional offer to be made, the test must have been taken no more than 12 months prior to application; where offers are made conditional on the results of language tests, these must be available for checking prior to enrolment.
Professors
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Wiebke Thormählen
Director of Research
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Tom Parkinson
Head of Doctoral Programmes
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Austin Glatthorn
Head of Research Management, Lecturer in Music
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David Horne
Professor in Composition and Head of Graduate School
-
Larry Goves
Head of School of Composition
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Stuart McCallum
Deputy Head of Popular Music and Creative Multi-Specialist Professor of Guitar, Composition and Production
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Lynne Dawson
Head of School of Vocal Studies and Opera
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Graham Scott
Head of School of Keyboard Studies and Professor of Piano
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Chris Hoyle
Head of School of Strings, Professor of Cello
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Simone Rebello
Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion and Director of Percussion
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Kevin Gowland
Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion, Director of Woodwind and Professor of Flute
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Murray Greig
Head of School of Wind, Brass and Percussion and Director of Brass
Application Process
Preparing and submitting an application
All applicants are required to submit an application via UCAS Conservatoires, followed by a portfolio submission via Acceptd. Your Acceptd application should include the following:
- Project proposal, arranged under the following subheadings:
- Title
- Keywords (maximum 5)
- Aims (general) and objectives (specific)
- Brief summary description of artistic research project, including: an outline of where the work sits in relation to a) your own artistic practice and b) the work of others working in your field; a statement of how the work will make an original contribution to the applicant’s field of practice
- Proposed contents of the portfolio submission (e.g., recital recordings, scores, multitrack DAW projects)
- Indicative bibliography, and discography where relevant (no more than 15 items)
[Please note: the proposal, including tables, table and figure captions and bibliography or references (ancillary information), must be no more than 750 words]
- Two references (using the AAD Reference Request Form)
- Transcripts of previous qualifications
- Examples of artistic work:
Composition
Scores of examples of your own recent compositions with high-quality audio recordings where available. For further advice on the submission requirements for composition, please contact the Head of School of Composition, Dr Larry Goves ([email protected]).
Production
High-quality audio- and/or audio-visual recordings (links to online recordings are acceptable) of the applicant’s production work. For further advice on submission requirements for Production in your area, please contact [email protected].
Performance
High-quality audio- and/or audio-visual recordings (links to online recordings are acceptable) of the applicant’s performances. Audition requirements vary between schools, as outlined below. For further advice on audition requirements, please contact [email protected].
Conducting
All applicants are required to submit a video via Acceptd, alongside their project proposal, references and transcript of previous qualifications (stage 1). Once reviewed by the panel, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a live interview, either in person or online (stage 2).
Stage 1
All candidates should supply approximately 20 minutes of footage of their conducting. Ideally, this should be a fairly equal mixture of rehearsal and performance. The camera should be positioned so that the candidate’s face and upper body is clearly visible, i.e. the camera should be positioned in or behind the orchestra/ensemble, and ideally some of the musicians should also be visible.
Stage 2
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a live interview, which will take place either in person at the RNCM or online. The panel may request more video evidence or invite you to a live audition to demonstrate your suitability to the programme, depending on their assessment of your Acceptd submission.
Keyboard Studies
In-person applicants (excluding those opting for an overseas audition) are not required to submit a recording prior to their live audition, but must still complete an Acceptd application with their project proposal, references and transcript of previous qualifications. Overseas applicants who are unable to travel are invited to apply for an online audition.
In Person Auditions and Audition Recordings (for applicants applying for an online audition)
Piano (Solo)
Please prepare 40 minutes of repertoire by way of a contrasting programme that is relevant to your project proposal. The panel will choose approximately 15 minutes from this repertoire.
Please note that the programme should be played from memory, except for contemporary repertoire at the candidate’s choosing, and should be recorded in one take if possible.
Piano (Collaborative)
Please prepare a programme of 45 minutes including a complete duo sonata and a complete song cycle or group of songs (no concertos, operatic or oratorio arias, or other orchestral reductions) and one solo piano piece. The solo piano piece should not exceed 5 minutes. The panel will select up to 15 minutes of music in the audition.
Live Interview (Online)
Interviews will give the panel an opportunity to learn a little more about you and your future aspirations, and for you to ask any questions you might have about studying with us. For both piano (solo) and piano (collaborative), you will also be given a quick study to perform, which will be given to you prior to the audition via email.
Popular Music
All applicants are required to submit a video/portfolio via Acceptd, alongside their project proposal, references and transcript of previous qualifications (stage 1). Once reviewed by the panel, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a live audition and interview (stage 2).
Stage 1
Candidates should submit a 20-minute performance video, or composition/production portfolio. At least 50% of the content should be original material.
Stage 2
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a live audition and interview, which will include 20 minutes of performance (or discussion of composition/production material), and an interview. At least 50% of the performance/composition/production material should be original.
Strings
In-person applicants (excluding those opting for an overseas audition) are not required to submit a recording prior to their live audition, but must still complete an Acceptd application with their project proposal, references and transcript of previous qualifications. Overseas applicants who are unable to travel are invited to apply for an online audition.
Audition Recording (for applicants applying for an online audition)
Candidates applying from overseas may apply for an online audition. If applying for an online audition, the Acceptd application must include a video recording presenting 2 contrasting works, one or both of which should be relevant to the candidate’s thesis choice.
Live Audition and Interview
Candidates must present a 20-minute programme of 2 contrasting works, one or both of which should be relevant to the candidate’s thesis choice. This will be followed by an interview with the panel.
Vocal Studies and Opera
In-person applicants are not required to submit a recording prior to their live audition, but must still complete an Acceptd application with their project proposal, references and transcript of previous qualifications. Overseas applicants who are unable to travel are invited to apply for an online audition.
Audition Recording (for applicants applying for an online audition)
Candidates applying from overseas may apply for an online audition. If applying for an online audition, the Acceptd application must include a video recording presenting a programme consisting of three contrasting pieces (songs or arias) at least one of which shows relevance to the candidate’s thesis proposal and a brief presentation giving an overview of the candidate’s thesis proposal (max. 5 min).
Live Audition and Interview
Candidates must present a programme consisting of three contrasting pieces (songs or arias) at least one of which shows relevance to the applicant’s thesis proposal (max 15 mins); a brief presentation giving an overview of the candidate’s thesis proposal (5 min), and an interview.
Wind, Brass and Percussion
In-person applicants (excluding those opting for an overseas audition) are not required to submit a recording prior to their live audition, but must still complete an Acceptd application with their project proposal, references and transcript of previous qualifications. Overseas applicants who are unable to travel are invited to apply for an online audition.
Audition Recording (for applicants applying for an online audition)
Candidates applying from overseas may apply for an online audition. If applying for an online audition, the Acceptd application must include a 20-minute video recording of repertoire that is relevant to the thesis proposal. This repertoire can be repeated during the live audition.
Live Audition and Interview
Candidates must present a 20-minute programme of repertoire that is relevant to the thesis proposal. This will be followed by an interview with the panel.
Evaluation of applications and project proposals
The Programme Leader and relevant Head of School (or designated representative) will appoint at least one other member of staff to evaluate the applications. Project proposals will be evaluated on the extent to which they demonstrate:
- The applicant’s ability to formulate an original artistic project with clearly defined aims and objectives and scope
- The applicant’s ability to situate their proposed project in relation to their wider artistic practice, and the work of others in their field
- The applicant’s potential to undertake the proposed project and accompanying critical and reflective commentaries within the timeframe of the programme
- The potential for the project portfolio to make a valuable and original contribution to knowledge
- Language skills at a level required for completing the practice portfolio and accompanying critical commentary and reflective account
If the proposal is rejected, then feedback and further advice may be obtained through the Programme Leader prior to one re-submission of a revised proposal. No more than two submissions are possible.
Applicants who receive a positive evaluation will be called for interview and audition (c. 60 minutes in total). The panel will consist of two members of staff with relevant expertise in the applicant’s area of artistic practice, along with the Programme Leader (or representative). After the interview and audition, the panel will convene and decide whether to make the applicant an offer of a place on the programme. Those applicants who are successful at interview will be contacted by RNCM Admissions with a formal offer of a place on the AAD programme.