Study at Royal College of Music

Why study at Royal College of Music

Study centres on principal-study tuition with professors who include soloists, composers, conductors and principal players from London orchestras such as the London Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras. Students give and attend performances across the College's concert halls, and its museum and library collections support study and research. Graduates pursue careers as performers, composers, conductors and teachers.

Location and student life

The College is based on Prince Consort Road in South Kensington, opposite the Royal Albert Hall. South Kensington station on the London Underground connects the area to the rest of the capital. Students learn, rehearse and perform in one place, with regular concerts and masterclasses on site and the capital's concert halls, opera houses and gig venues nearby. The RCM hall of residence, Prince Consort Village, is in west London, about 40 minutes door to door by Underground between Ravenscourt Park and South Kensington.

Courses and subjects

Teaching is organised into faculties: Brass, Composition, Conducting, Historical Performance, Keyboard, Strings, Timpani & Percussion, Vocal & Opera, and Woodwind. The main courses are the Bachelor of Music (BMus Hons) at undergraduate level; taught postgraduate study including the Master of Music in Performance and in Composition, the Artist Diploma and the Graduate Diploma; and doctoral research degrees including the PhD. Entry to performance and composition courses is by audition or portfolio. The RCM also runs a Junior Department for younger musicians; there is no general foundation year, so school-leavers apply directly for the BMus.

Entry requirements for international students

Admission is by audition (or portfolio and interview for composers) alongside academic qualifications, and requirements vary by course, so applicants should check the exact criteria on the relevant course page. For English language, the BMus requires CEFR B2 in all four components, equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in each component, while Master of Music courses require C1 overall, equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. Tests must usually be passed in a single sitting. Visa nationals must also meet UKVI minimum levels.

Accommodation

The RCM hall of residence is Prince Consort Village on Goldhawk Road in west London, housing more than 400 students in studio apartments, en-suite rooms and standard rooms. Bedrooms are acoustically treated so students can practise, and there are 23 dedicated practice rooms open around the clock, with staff on site 24 hours a day. The hall is managed by Campus Living Villages and is about 40 minutes from the College by Underground. Students should apply well ahead of September; private rentals are the main alternative.

Scholarships and funding

Every applicant for a performance or composition course is automatically considered for an RCM scholarship on merit at audition or on portfolio strength; there is no separate application. Named awards include the ABRSM Scholarships, which for recent entrants included two awards for international students (one undergraduate, one postgraduate) covering full tuition fees plus a £5,000 yearly stipend for living costs. Scholarship values are normally deducted from tuition fees. Full details are on the RCM scholarships and awards page, and awards change each year, so applicants should check what is available for their entry year.