2 years full-time, 3 years part-time (part-time not available in Vocal & Opera)
Location
In-person, London
Application deadline
Applications for 2026 entry will open in July 2025.
The Master of Performance (MPerf) is an advanced training degree offering tailored tuition, performance opportunities and industry experience, through masterclasses, orchestral projects, opera productions and professional collaborations.
Normally taken over two years, the MPerf is designed to prepare you for life as a professional musical artist. You will work alongside world-leading musicians to develop your performance skills to the highest international standard.
This course is particularly relevant for those who aim to enter the profession as practitioners at the highest level and who need to meet the current practical demands of the music industry. With a uniquely immersive conservatoire experience, you will be at the heart of a dynamic environment where creativity and collaboration thrive.
The MPerf qualification can also provide the basis for further artistic development through the RCM’s Level 8 Artist Diplomas in Performance or Opera.
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason in a piano masterclass with Lang Lang
No.1
Global No.1 for Performing Arts. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024/2023/2022
Gold
Achieved the highest ranking of Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason in a piano masterclass with Lang Lang
Learning & teaching
This advanced training programme prepares performers for professional careers, offering tailored tuition, performance opportunities, and industry experience through masterclasses, orchestral projects, opera productions, and professional collaborations. The programme is designed to be flexible, ensuring you can shape your studies according to your needs and aspirations. Guided by world-renowned professors and visiting artists, you will refine your craft to become not only a highly skilled performer, but also a confident and adaptable professional.
A variety of professionally focussed electives in areas including chamber music, orchestral performance, concerto performance, music education, performance science and professional skills prepare you to thrive in a rapidly changing musical world, with a focus on artistic excellence, digital technology, global perspectives, sustainability, and collaboration.
Royal College of Music courses are internationally recognised as full degree courses with successful students awarded their qualifications under the RCM's Royal Charter.
One-to-one lessons
One-to-one lessons are at the very heart of every RCM student’s learning experience. The RCM’s impressive list of professors includes renowned instrumental and vocal soloists, distinguished repertoire and operatic coaches, prominent composers and conductors, plus principal players in major London orchestras such as the as the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Royal Opera House Orchestra. Our world-class professors offer students not only first-rate teaching, but also mentorship and networking opportunities.
All principal studies are delivered through a combination of one-to-one tuition complemented by performance classes, workshops, masterclasses, lessons from visiting professors, ensemble activities, seminars and lecture series as appropriate.
Part-time study
The RCM welcomes applications for part-time study. Part-time students complete the required 240 credits over three academic years. Elective modules complement Principal Study, alongside the full range of performance opportunities and faculty activities. Applicants should apply for the programme as for full-time study and inform the RCM Admissions team of their intention to study part-time. Entry requirements are the same for both part-time and full-time applicants.
Pursuing your degree part-time allows you three years to develop your performance and professional skills at a more flexible pace, with a time commitment of roughly two thirds compared to full-time study. While your workload for elective modules will be lighter, your participation in ensemble rehearsals and performances will remain just as full. Part-time study primarily affects elective modules and Principal Study, but you can still expect a busy performance and rehearsal schedule throughout the programme.
Performance opportunities
Our unparalleled performance opportunities include orchestral and choral projects, chamber and solo opportunities, as well as jazz and historical instrument ensembles. Our diverse events calendar includes more than 500 events per year.
Students who opt to participate in our outreach and education programme are provided with comprehensive training, which helps equip them with the tools to take on diverse roles in their future professional lives.
Creative Careers Centre
Preparing for the profession
Our Creative Careers Centre provides an exceptional service to current and recent alumni. The dedicated team partners with leading consultants, reputable arts organisations and local communities, delivering unique career-building opportunities and a direct route to the music industry.
Tailored career support
The Creative Careers Centre allows students to discover their professional identity, gain hands-on experience and new skills, develop an entrepreneurial mind-set and build a fulfilling professional portfolio.
Our valuable guidance includes CV and biography writing, concert programming, communication skills, project management, marketing and publicity, online promotion, financial matters and how to develop a business idea.
Creative Careers Centre services
RCM Accelerate supports graduating RCM students to kick-start or evolve a creative project, social enterprise, or business idea.
Concert opportunities to perform at a variety of venues, including concert halls, churches, abbeys, museums, galleries and community settings.
Creative Careers Centre services
Professional Engagement Service allows organisations and members of the public to hire RCM musicians to perform at events.
RCM Teaching Service matches members of the public in London and across the globe with student-tutors.
All offers for performers are made on the basis of their performance at audition. Candidates require an undergraduate degree or an equivalent international qualification, usually in music. The RCM welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and alternative qualifications may be considered. If your qualifications are not listed here, please contact our Admissions team, who will be happy to discuss your suitability for the programme.
English language requirements
All applicants must be able to demonstrate that their level of English language ability meets the Royal College of Music’s minimum requirements in order for their application to be accepted.
If you require a visa to study at the RCM, you must meet the English language requirements before the RCM is permitted to sponsor your visa application.
'The teaching staff at the Royal College of Music are incredibly engaging, both conscious of your road ahead and invested in your career development. My teachers gave invaluable insight into the profession and were also open to giving personal advice.'
Nicolò Foron (MPerf 2021), Assistant Conductor at London Symphony Orchestra
'I had access to so many incredible experiences and opportunities, for example playing in the RCM Symphony Orchestra under the baton of some of the world’s most prestigious conductors.'
Amy Gillen (MPerf 2020), Flautist, Songwriter, Pianist, Music Producer
'Some of the best conductors in the industry visited while I was studying, giving me the chance to meet them in person. Upon graduating, I worked as Assistant Conductor with Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, having met him when he visited College..'
Gabriella Teychenné (MPerf 2017), Conductor
'Countless recital opportunities gave me valuable performing experience, and the opportunity to build relationships with other young musicians proved to be the starting point for many self-curated projects on the professional music scene.'
Alex Wilson (MPerf 2011), Pianist and Piano Teacher
Fees & funding
A full outline of tuition fees for all our courses, including details of charges for additional one-to-one lessons and reassessment fees, is available for download.
More than 50% of current students receive some financial support, thanks to the generosity of individuals, legators, companies and charitable trusts.
The main application deadline for 2025 entry was 2 October 2024. However late applications may be considered where spaces remain, please contact our Admissions team. Applications for 2026 entry will open in July 2025.
All applicants (including international applicants) should apply online through the UCAS Conservatoires admissions service, where you can track your application, find out when your audition is and get the results of your audition all on UCAS Conservatoires.
Using UCAS Conservatoires incurs a £28.50 application fee. This is in addition to our assessment fees. You cannot use another system and both the application and assessment fees are paid online through UCAS Conservatoires. If you encounter any problems with their payment system please contact their support team.
Auditions
The Royal College of Music holds auditions in London, Asia, the USA, and Australia. Auditions for all courses and all principal studies can be undertaken in London. Auditions for most courses and principal studies can also be undertaken in Asia and the USA. Only vocal auditions are held in Australia. International applicants who cannot travel to the UK or other Overseas audition venues may submit a video audition instead.
Application deadlines, application fees, audition dates, and the availability of RCM accompanists vary between locations.
Most auditions last approximately 15–20 minutes, but there are exceptions for some specialisms and at some venues. You can find out how long your audition will be by reading the full set of requirements for your chosen discipline(s).
Audition requirements by faculty
Audition requirements are set by each faculty. Further information can be found by following the links.
RCM courses are reviewed annually in response to student and external examiner feedback, which sometimes results in minor changes, such as the availability of particular modules. A more thorough review is undertaken every five to six years, after which more substantial changes may be made while maintaining the ethos that underpins the course. Our review process is part of the RCM’s continued commitment to provide the best possible education and music training. The information provided here reflects the official course outline as it currently stands. In the event of alterations following a review, we will update this page as soon as possible.
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