Primary instrument/specialism
- Composition
Course summary
The RNCM’s Master of Music (MMus) meets the needs of the music professional, and is ideal for those who have a strong vision of where their future is heading. Helping you to shape your desired career through a personalised approach to study, you’ll refine your creative and technical skills through one-to-one Principal Study training, specialist classes and masterclasses, lectures and seminars, and a range of performance opportunities. You’ll also gain valuable real-world experience through an external professional placement, and benefit from performance, audition and networking opportunities with our professional industry partners.
Course details
Principal study options
During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:
Single specialism
Only one instrument is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument formatively, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
Alternative single specialism
You may audition for two instruments, with the intention of studying one instrument as a single specialism. The outcome of the audition will determine which instrument is taken as the main specialism.
Instrument/specialisms
For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.
Secondary instrument/specialisms
- Bassoon
- Bassoon (Contra)
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (E flat)
- Cor anglais
Modules
Module options include: Performance/composition activity, Repertoire Research, Aural Analysis and Critique, Musicianship, Pedagogy and more. Visit rncm.ac.uk/rncm-graduate-school-summary-of-available-modules/ for a full list of module options.
Assessment method
Assessment methods are designed to develop and evaluate various skills in all students. Feedback is provided on all assessments, enabling students to enhance their learning by acting on constructive criticism and appraisals given in the context of all modules, both formatively and in relation to summative, credit-bearing assessments. Assessment methods are diverse, and include the following: composition portfolio assessment, written assessment, reflective portfolio, presentation, vlog or blog, arrangements, theory tests, aural and improvisation assessment.
How to apply
*If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.
02Oct
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 823F
- Institution code:
- R57
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Candidates whose first language is not English must meet the English language requirements for this course. These are IELTS 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each component (or equivalent as defined by UKVI). Some options within the course may require IELTS 6.5 or 7.0.
Entry requirements
MMus entrants must hold a good Honours degree or equivalent (or be of equivalent professional standing). This qualification need not be in music, but all candidates must be able to satisfy the College that they have already achieved an advanced standard in their main discipline area, and have the potential to develop further towards a professional level of attainment.
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Audition
Portfolio
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Assessment locations
In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.
Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.
Single specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online Single Principal Study | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester Single Principal Study | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester Joint Principal Study | £110 | £110 |
| Online Joint Principal Study | £110 | £110 |
| New York | £110 | £110 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online Single Principal Study | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester Single Principal Study | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester Joint Principal Study | £110 | £110 |
| Online Joint Principal Study | £110 | £100 |
| New York | £110 | £110 |
Additional information
Please note that to be selected for audition, all applicants should submit a composition portfolio via getacceptd.com/rncm alongside their UCAS Conservatoires application. Information on requirements for the composition portfolio can be found at rncm.ac.uk/your audition.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
The RNCM charges tuition fees to all students for each year of study. To determine the status of undergraduate students for fee purposes, we follow regulations issued by the UK Government. If you don’t qualify for Home status, you’ll be enrolled as an International student.
Visit rncm.ac.uk/fees for course fees and information about scholarships and bursaries.
Sponsorship information
Scholarships are offered to applicants who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential at audition. There’s no separate application process for these as everyone is automatically considered. Scholarship Awards are for the first year of study only (unless specifically stated otherwise). A limited number of Bursaries are also available for International and postgraduate students, allocated on the basis of need and merit. If you’re successful in gaining a Bursary, this will be deducted from your tuition fees, leaving you with a net balance to pay. Visit rncm.ac.uk/fees for information about scholarships and bursaries.
Provider information
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9RD