Creative Careers Centre Test

RCM violinist performing at the Royal Academy of ArtsTest

The Royal College of Music is a world-leader in career development for musicians. We encourage students to be confident and versatile communicators, in your professional engagements and in everything you do.

The RCM Creative Careers Centre provides an unparalleled service. We are recognised internationally for our innovative approach to supporting young musicians, offering resources and guidance, bespoke career advice, workshops and presentations by industry specialists, plus a broad range of professional opportunities, including performances and teaching work. For many students, the Creative Careers Centre helps pave the way to a successful lifelong career in music.

You can use these services from day one of your course to develop an outstanding CV and wealth of experience, which will help shape your future career.
The resources of the Creative Careers Centre are available to all alumni for up to five years after graduation.

We partner with leading consultants, arts organisations and local communities, delivering unique career-building opportunities and a direct route to the music industry. We enable musicians to discover their professional identity, gain hands-on experience and new skills, develop an entrepreneurial mind-set and build a fulfilling professional portfolio.

'The Creative Careers Centre is essential in supporting your growth as a musician. I have also got work through it which is such a useful extra source of income - and great for the CV!'

Louisa Kataria, Bachelor of Music

'The support for CV writing and insights to the career have helped me understand the profession I can’t wait to be a part of.'

Robbie Marrs, Bachelor of Music

What we offer

One-to-one career sessions on preparing applications, CVs, biographies, programmes and other professional and publicity materials
Resources and directories providing essential information about the music profession
Careers workshops and special events
Weekly e-bulletins offering opportunities to students and alumni from a range of clients
Resources, lectures and seminars on how to build a successful career
Professional opportunities in and around London, and beyond
Guidance on self-management, self-employment, finance, tax and entrepreneurship
RCM Accelerate scheme supporting up to six graduates each year developing a new or existing creative project, social enterprise, or business idea
RCM Teaching Service, matching members of the public in London and worldwide with student tutors — whose qualifications and visa-status enable them to teach.

Advice for prospective students

Careers, connections and collaborations at the Royal College of Music

Discover why London is a great place to study and develop your musical career.

RCM Accelerate

RCM Accelerate supports graduating RCM students to kick-start a new creative project, social enterprise, or business idea; or to take an existing initiative to the next level. Successful applicants receive grant funding and mentoring support. The scheme promotes proactivity, creativity and an entrepreneurial mind-set.

Graduates from the scheme have included:

Cristiana Achim: founded a new business, Piano Travel, supporting the career development of pianists
Hannah Gillingham: formed a contemporary ensemble with a core aim of making new music more accessible
Liam Dougherty: developed a project that recycles and transforms old pianos to feature as an electronic sound installation at festivals and events
Helen Kuby: established a health and wellbeing education programme for young musicians who wouldn’t ordinarily have access to such valuable support
Magdalenna Krstevska & Sophie Glenny: created The Corelia Project, which brings to life chamber music by women

Following registration, students wishing to find out more about RCM Accelerate can visit the Creative Careers Centre pages on Learn.rcm.

Creative Services

Concert Opportunities

Offering opportunities to perform at concerts and individual projects throughout the year, providing vital performance and programming experience and raising your profile.

Professional Engagement

Students are hired by organisations and members of the public to perform at events, or to work as freelance orchestral and session players at some of London’s most prestigious venues.

RCM Teaching Services

Matching student tutors with members of the public in London and worldwide.

International students on Student Visas

The Creative Careers Centre is experienced at helping international students manage their workload, as well as navigating the UK Government’s Student Visa restrictions. We will help you find the widest possible range of career strengthening experiences, both with the RCM and further afield.