Primary instrument/specialism
- Bassoon
- Bassoon (Historical Performance)
- Cello
- Cello (Historical Performance)
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (Historical Performance)
This course is closed for the 2023 academic cycle. Please contact the provider or view the 2024 courses.
Royal College of Music has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Undergraduate study at the Royal College of Music balances high-level training in composition, solo, chamber and ensemble performance with critical enquiry into music past and present. Students investigate music in context and how it operates in contemporary cultures. The RCM also provides a range of options for developing practical and applied skills. The nature of your undergraduate experience at the RCM depends on your principal study specialism. In essence, it includes individual lessons with distinguished musicians; core units in historical, technical, practical, and vocational subjects delivered in small groups; and a variety of performances. Our undergraduate programme is designed to be flexible, especially in years 3 and 4, ensuring you can undertake study directly relevant to your needs and aspirations. A variety of options helps every student develop their interests during their time at the RCM. From the very beginning of the course you will be able to draw on exceptional resources and opportunities, such as the RCM Library, the Centre for Performance Science, Creative Careers Centre and RCM Sparks – our outreach and education programme. Royal College of Music courses are internationally recognised, with successful students awarded their qualifications under the RCM's Royal Charter. 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.
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 (Historical Performance)
- Cello
- Cello (Historical Performance)
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (Historical Performance)
Modules
Years 1 and 2 • Performance studies in Principal, Related, and Second instruments, with regular faculty-based workshops, activities, and opportunities for performance • Training in music education • Courses in music history and performance practice, practical musicianship/stylistic studies, aural awareness, study skills, Alexander Technique, and musicians' wellbeing • Options in music history and stylistic studies topics in Year 2 • Opportunity to fast track to higher levels of study in aural awareness and practical musicianship Years 3 and 4 • Continuing work in performance studies • Creation of a personalised programme of study from a variety of options (offered on either a yearly or two-yearly basis)
Assessment method
Assessment for undergraduate students is grouped into subject, general and key skills. The assessment tasks within the RCM's undergraduate courses are varied, including technical assessments, performance exams, take-away assignments and practical assessments in performance or practical modules; unseen written exams, essays, individual and group presentations in academic or theoretical modules; and reflective diaries, workshops, and vivas in skills-based modules.
How to apply
This course is closed for the 2023 academic cycle. Please contact the provider or view the 2024 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.
03Oct
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:
- 300F
- Institution code:
- R56
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
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 form is the same for students of all nationalities, however deadlines may differ for some of our overseas audition venues.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - EE
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP
Scottish Higher - DDD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PP
Scottish Advanced Higher - DDD
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - E
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H8
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - P3, P3
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Details of audition requirements can be found at http://www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/auditions/
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 | Score 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 Academic | 51 | Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 51 is required in all components. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Level B2 | Overall score of 160-179 and no less than 160 in any component. |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity ISE II certificate. Must include a pass in all components. |
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UK Home Office) are not required to provide proof of their level of English. Some other exceptions apply - please consult our website for details.
The RCM's English Language Requirements are available in full at this link:
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 |
|---|---|---|
| London | £110 | £110 |
| Recorded Audition | £110 | £110 |
| USA (New York City) | £115 | £115 |
| Singapore | £110 | £110 |
| Bangkok | £110 | £110 |
| Hong Kong | £110 | £110 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| London | £160 | £160 |
| Recorded Audition | £160 | £160 |
| USA (New York City) | £160 | £160 |
| Singapore | Not available at this location | |
| Bangkok | Not available at this location | |
| Hong Kong | Not 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 may have an initial pre-screening process; please see http://www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/auditions/auditionlocation/ for details. Applicants who are unable to travel to a live audition may submit an audition by video recording.
Student Outcomes
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The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
Our tuition fees are still to be confirmed for 2022. 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. Every student who applies for a place on one of the RCM's performance or composition courses commencing will be considered for scholarship, whether you have applied by video or attended an audition or interview in person. There is no separate application process. Scholarships are awarded on merit based on performance at audition (or interview for composers).
Provider information
Royal College of Music
Prince Consort Road
Kensington and Chelsea
London
SW7 2BS