Primary instrument/specialism
- Marimba
- Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
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 Percussion Faculty currently boasts more than 40 former students in the UK’s leading orchestras. The backbone of our teaching has a clear orchestral bias, but today’s training covers all aspects of percussion activity, enabling you to enter the profession equipped with the musical tools of the trade. Percussion students at the Royal College of Music enjoy the benefits of a vibrant faculty housed in a purpose-built percussion suite. We have state-of-the-art technology and practice facilities for teaching world percussion alongside the orchestral repertoire. Percussion students have numerous opportunities to take part in public performances as soloists, in chamber groups and in the RCM’s various orchestras and ensembles. Orchestral performances are often directed by internationally renowned conductors, providing invaluable experience of truly world-class rehearsal and performance. The RCM is the first institution in the UK to offer solo Marimba as a principal study at postgraduate level. The course aims to prepare students for a career as a solo artist through intensive training in all aspects of solo performance, and also includes ensemble and chamber coaching and masterclasses with world-renowned marimbists. This course is also available on a part-time basis over 3 years upon request. Due to the intensive nature of the programme, we are unable to offer a secondary specialism to percussionists.
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.
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 studies in common with the MPerf Programme.
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:
- 712F
- 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. All percussion candidates audition live at the RCM in London. We do not offer auditions for percussion at our overseas audition venues or via recorded audition.
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
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | 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 | 76 | Score 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 ISE | Pass | Trinity ISE III certificate. Must include a pass in all components. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall 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) | 95 | Overall 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
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| London | £115 | £115 |
| Recorded Audition | £115 | £115 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| London | Not available at this location | |
| Recorded Audition | Not available at this location | |
Additional information
Applications for Orchestral Percussion and Marimba are only available by live audition in London and by video auditions. Our main audition period runs from late November to mid-December. Application deadlines, application fees and audition dates vary between venues, 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 2025-26 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 recording will automatically be considered for a scholarship or study award. There is no separate application process. Scholarships are awarded on merit based on performance at audition.
Provider information
Royal College of Music
Prince Consort Road
Kensington and Chelsea
London
SW7 2BS