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Master of Music in Performance (Woodwind) at Royal College of Music - UCAS

Royal College of Music

Degree level: Postgraduate
UCAS Conservatoires

Master of Music in Performance (Woodwind) (Taught)

Course summary

The Royal College of Music offers a diverse two-year Masters programme with multiple study routes, which allow students to work towards the qualification most suited to their needs. The Master of Music (MMus) qualification develops students’ critical, analytical and research skills, as well as their ability to express themselves verbally to a high level. Such skills are particularly relevant for those who are interested in studying the background and context of the music they perform and analyse, and those who hope to teach or communicate about music beyond their principal study (for example as professional educators, facilitators or curators). This is in addition to continuing to develop students’ practical skills to a very high standard. The MMus can also provide the basis for further research through our Level 8 doctoral degrees. The Woodwind Faculty and the wider RCM community foster a culture of nurturing all students in a supportive environment. You are encouraged to grow into a confident and imaginative performer, taking advantage of all the opportunities available to you. Our outstanding team of woodwind professors, many of whom hold principal positions in major orchestras, combine careers as eminent performers with a passion and dedication for teaching. In addition to their one-to-one lessons, our students enjoy regular performance and ensemble classes, chamber coaching, orchestral playing and masterclasses with distinguished international musicians. RCM students enjoy a wide variety of performance opportunities as part of the College’s diverse performance calendar, which includes several hundred events per year. All woodwind students have the chance to play in our orchestras, which include the RCM Philharmonic, the RCM Symphony Orchestra and the RCM Opera Orchestra, with opportunities to work with some of the finest conductors in the world. We also have our own Wind Ensemble, which often commissions new works. Most students have the option of taking a second study on this course. Second study allows students to receive tuition in a second specialism, taught and assessed at a lower intensity than their principal study, in an area that does not qualify for related study. Second study specialisms are subject to successful audition and the agreement of the relevant Head of Faculty. Auditions take place during the first few weeks of the course, and students will have the opportunity to register for these auditions shortly before the start of the academic year. There is no need to inform the RCM at the point of application. This course is also available on a part-time basis over 3 years upon request.

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.

Primary instrument/specialism

  • Bassoon
  • Clarinet
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Saxophone

Modules

The course includes two research-led MMus modules: Critical Portfolio in Year 1 and Research Project in Year 2. These modules are taken alongside a full programme of performance or composition studies in common with the MPerf Programme.


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.

Application codes

Course code:
803F
Institution code:
R56
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

The Royal College of Music has a long tradition of welcoming international students from all over the world. Our broad community of staff and students makes the RCM an exciting and diverse hub of musical activity. Almost half of our students are from outside the UK, studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The application process is the same for students of all nationalities. Different application deadlines may apply for some of our overseas audition venues, please see our website for details.

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree or an equivalent international qualification, usually in music. Any offer of a place on this course will be conditional on submission of two recent examples of extended written work in English of a satisfactory standard.

Additional entry requirements

Audition

Details of audition requirements are available at http://www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/auditions/


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 5.5 is required in all components. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid.
PTE Academic76Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 59 is required in all components. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity ISE III certificate. Must include a pass in all components.
Cambridge English AdvancedCOverall score of 180-200, with no less than 160 in any component. For tests sat before January 2015 we require an overall pass at Grade B OR Grade C and at least ‘borderline’ in all four components.
TOEFL (iBT)95Overall score of 95, with minimum component scores of: Reading -24, Listening -22, Speaking -25, Writing -24

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UK Home Office) do not need to sit an English test if you can provide a valid passport from an English speaking country. Some other exceptions apply; please see the RCM website for further details.

The RCM's English Language Requirements are available at this link:

http://www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/englishlanguagerequirements/#d.en.22587


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

LocationOn-time FeeLate Fee
London£115£115
Recorded Audition£115£115
USA (New York City)£115£115
Bangkok£115£115
Singapore£115£115
Hong Kong£115£115
Beijing£115£115
Seoul£115£115
Shanghai£115£115
Tokyo£115£115

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time FeeLate Fee
LondonNot available at this location
Recorded AuditionNot available at this location
USA (New York City)Not available at this location
BangkokNot available at this location
SingaporeNot available at this location
Hong KongNot available at this location
BeijingNot available at this location
SeoulNot available at this location
ShanghaiNot available at this location
TokyoNot available at this location

Additional information

Auditions for all principal studies are available in London. Our main audition period runs from late November to mid-December. Application deadlines, application fees and audition dates vary between venues, and some overseas venues have an initial pre-screening process; please see http://www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/auditions/auditionlocation/ for details.


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

Our tuition fees are still to be confirmed for the 2024-25 academic year. More information can be found at www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/feesandfunding/

Sponsorship information

The RCM is able to support many students with scholarships thanks to the generosity of charitable trusts, companies, businesses, individual members of the public and legacies. Any student who auditions live, or via video will automatically be considered for a scholarship or study award. There is no separate application process. Eligibility for scholarships is based on merit, which is determined by performance at audition.

Master of Music in Performance (Woodwind) at Royal College of Music - UCAS