Study at RNCM

Bachelor of Music with Honours

The RNCM Bachelor of Music with Honours degree supports the education of creative, inquisitive, well-rounded musicians, complementing your passion for performance or composition with academic and professional training to the highest standard.

• Level Undergraduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 3-4 Years
• Principal Study See all options

Bachelor of Music with Honours in Popular Music

The UK’s only four-year bachelor’s degree in popular music, the RNCM BMus (Hons) in Popular Music enables students to create their own bespoke package while majoring in one of its four core areas of study: artist development, performance, composition, and production.

• Level Undergraduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 4 Years
• Principal Study See all options

Graduate Diploma of the RNCM

This unique programme gives those with outstanding musical and academic ability the opportunity to study two degree-level courses simultaneously: the Graduate Diploma of the RNCM (GRNCM) and the Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB (Hons)) at The University of Manchester, located just metres away.

• Level Undergraduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 4 Years
• Principal Study See all options

Bachelor of Arts Education with Honours in Inclusive Music Education

At the RNCM, we believe that music has the power to change lives, and that those who teach, lead, and facilitate music‑making play a vital role in unlocking that power. Our BAEd (Hons) in Inclusive Music Education is your opportunity to become one of those changemakers.

• Level Undergraduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 3 Years

Master of Music

The RNCM’s Master of Music (MMus) is a flexible programme that meets the needs of the music professional and is ideal for those who have a strong vision of where their future is heading.

• Level Graduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 1-2 Years
• Principal Study See all options

Master of Performance

Through a combination of advanced practical and pedagogical training and vocational studies, the RNCM’s specialist Master of Performance (MPerf) programme heightens the skills and techniques needed to ensure you thrive.

• Level Graduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 1-2 Years
• Principal Study See all options

Master of Education

The highly specialised Master of Education (MEd) is designed for music teaching professionals who wish to gain further training and accreditation for their teaching and/or conducting practice.

• Level Graduate
• Study Mode Full/Part Time
• Duration 1-2 Years
• Standard Level 7

Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies

The RNCM’s specialised Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies (PGDip) is ideal for performers and composers who have a master’s-level qualification and wish to perfect their craft with us.

• Level Graduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 1 Year
• Principal Study See all options

Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies (International Artist Diploma)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies and Opera (International Artist Diploma) represents the pinnacle of achievement in performance at the RNCM and is intended for a small number of artists on the cusp of international careers.

• Level Graduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 9 Months
• Principal Study See all options

Hallé/RNCM Advanced Orchestral Strings Programme

The Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies and Opera (International Artist Diploma) represents the pinnacle of achievement in performance at the RNCM and is intended for a small number of artists on the cusp of international careers.

• Level Graduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 1 Year
• Principal Study See all options

PGCE (Secondary) Music with Specialist Instrument Teaching (with QTS)

The RNCM runs the unique Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course in collaboration with the Faculty of Education at Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met).

• Level Graduate
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 1 Year
• Principal Study See all options

Advanced Artist Diploma

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Level Doctoral
• Study Mode Full Time
• Duration 1 Year
• Principal Study See all options

PhD

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Level Doctoral
• Study Mode Full/Part Time
• Duration 3-6 Years
• Standard Level 8

Fellowships

The RNCM awards several salaried Junior Fellowships to outstanding musicians who are looking to further develop their skills and build a pathway into the profession.

Associate Student Scheme and CPD

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Study Mode Full Time or Part Time
• Duration 1 Term – 1 Year
• Standard Grade 8+
• Principal Study See all options

Conducting Masterclass 1: Wind and Brass

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Duration 4 Days

Conducting Masterclass 2: Orchestral

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Duration 4 Days

Conducting Masterclass 3: Choral

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Duration 4 Days

Conducting Masterclass 4: Orchestral (Manchester Camerata)

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Duration 4 Days

Conducting in Practice

If you have a strongly defined idea for a research project related to some aspect of music and want the freedom to pursue it through rigorous enquiry and reflection, a research degree (PhD) may be right for you. 

• Duration 4 Days

Junior RNCM

Junior RNCM is a vibrant community of gifted young musicians aged eight to 18 who come together to develop their talent within the Royal Northern College of Music.

• Level Under 18s
• Study Mode Weekly
• Age 8-18 Years
• Standard Grade 5+
• Principal Study See all options

JRNCM Young Artists

RNCM Young Artists is a year-round training programme for aspiring pop musicians aged 11-18 from across the North West.

• Level Under 18s
• Study Mode Weekly
• Age 11-18
• Standard Beginner
• Principal Study See all options

RNCM Young Strings

RNCM Young Strings is an open-access programme that provides a thorough foundation in musical and instrumental skills while also being holistic, creative, and fun. Designed for ages five to 12 and split into three stages, the programme emphasises making music and enjoying it.

• Level Under 18s
• Study Mode Weekly
• Age 5-12 Years
• Standard Beginner+
• Principal Study See all options

RNCM Young Projects

RNCM Young Projects provides young players aged eight to 18 with an exciting opportunity to develop creative, musical, and technical skills across a range of instruments.

• Level Under 18s
• Study Mode Weekly
• Age 8 – 18 Years
• Standard Beginner+
• Principal Study See all options

RNCM Pathfinder

RNCM Pathfinder is designed to increase opportunities for young people aged eight to 18 who are curious, full of potential, and love nothing more than playing music, but who face financial, social, and/or cultural barriers to their musical progression.

• Level Under 18s
• Study Mode Weekly
• Age 8-18 Years