Primary instrument/specialism
- Composition
Course summary
Composition at the Academy has an international reputation centred on intensive project-based programmes. All work is rehearsed and recorded in regular workshops with instrumental and vocal students. Many opportunities arise for student compositions to be played by ensembles and orchestras, and commissions are offered to write for a large number of events. The standard course length is two years, though in exceptional cases students can be allowed to take this one-year option. The course path (MA 1 or 2 years, or MMus) can be discussed at the entrance interview and adjusted as appropriate, you are not tied to the option you choose when you submit your application in UCAS Conservatoires. The deadline for the Academy to receive both your UCAS Conservatoires application and also your portfolio is 2 October, 18:00 UK time.
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:
Main specialism
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
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.
Assessment method
Please see the information on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/about-our-courses
How to apply
This course is closed for the 2024 academic cycle. Please contact the provider or view the 2025 courses.
*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:
- 7301
- Institution code:
- R53
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
At the Academy we pride ourselves on our diverse international community. Over 800 students study here every year, with around sixty different nationalities from all over the world. https://www.ram.ac.uk/student-life/international https://www.ram.ac.uk/accommodation We are offering a choice of video or in-person interview to all candidates selected to progress after their portfolio has been assessed - please indicate your preference for the interview by your 'audition location' choice.
Entry requirements
Bachelor Degree with Honours, or APEL equivalent. https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/entry-requirements
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Candidates selected from the portfolio round are interviewed by the Composition entry panel.
Portfolio
Details and instructions are on https://www.ram.ac.uk/departments/composition/composition-application
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 | Minimum score of 5.5 in every section of the test. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Minimum score of 59 in every section of the test. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 72 | Minimum scores for Reading: 18, Listening: 17, Speaking: 20, Writing: 17. |
We accept IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition. PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
English Language requirements are published on our website:
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Video interview (Composition) | £100 | £100 |
| London | £100 | £100 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Video interview (Composition) | Not available at this location | |
| London | Not available at this location | |
Additional information
Your uploaded portfolio is assessed by the Composition department entry panel. The upload portal and the portfolio requirements are available through https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/departments/composition-and-contemporary-music. The portfolio assessment is the equivalent of the first-round live performance given by an instrumental or vocal candidate to a panel at the Academy. You will be informed around the beginning of November whether you have been selected for a panel interview. Interviews for candidates selected after their portfolio submission will take place during the main audition period in London in December. We are offering a choice of video or in-person interview to all candidates selected to progress after their portfolio has been assessed - please indicate your preference for the interview by your 'audition location' choice.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Tuition fees are available on www.ram.ac.uk/fees
Sponsorship information
Entrance Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit following entrance assessment during our advertised audition sessions. Composers are assessed for scholarships on the basis of their second-round interview. There is no separate scholarship application process, and entrance scholarship awards are confirmed in candidates' offer details. You can find more details about financial support on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/fees-scholarships-and-bursaries.
Provider information
Royal Academy of Music, University of London
Marylebone Road
Westminster
NW1 5HT