Applications for 2026 entry will open in July 2025.
The Master of Music Education: Teaching Musician (MMusEd) prepares aspiring music educators for the profession through practical training in performance or composition, combined with vocational education skills and theoretical knowledge.
The Master of Music Education: Teaching Musician (MMusEd) degree offers a unique blend of practical training in performance or composition, vocational training in music education skills, and theoretical knowledge of teaching and learning, equipping students with the expertise to succeed in a range of music education settings.
You will receive vocational training in essential music education skills, including teaching and learning, curriculum/project design, instrumental pedagogy and creative musicianship.
As a graduate, you will be well placed to pursue a range of career paths in the music education sector, including:
instrumental / vocal / composition teaching, both privately and in school settings
working within music services or hubs
participatory music programmes
education departments in a range of musical organisations.
You will also have the specialist skills and knowledge required to pursue further study at doctoral level.
Please note that this programme is not an initial teacher training (ITT) programme and therefore does not carry UK Qualified Teacher Status.
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
Through a combination of one-to-one lessons, lectures, practical workshops, specialist faculty seminars, and online learning MMusEd students develop deep understanding of teaching techniques in a range of music education settings, informed by cutting-edge research in international music education and performance science.
All MMusEd students receive one-to-one instrumental, vocal, or composition lessons with an RCM professor that are tailored to their needs as an aspiring teaching musician. There is also the flexibility to receive lessons on a second study or related instrument/s. For a full list of one-to-one teaching staff in your area of study pleaserefer to individual faculties. Please note it is not available for the following principal studies: conducting, contemporary piano, collaborative piano, composition for screen.
Central to the programme is a practice-led, professional approach to developing as a teaching musician. All MMusEd students undertake placements with the RCM’s leading music education partners which enables learning through practice in a range of innovative and progressive music education settings.
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.
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.
Performance is at the heart of RCM life. Our students collaborate with the world's greatest artists and enjoyed unrivalled opportunities in the spotlight.
We continually invest so that all students can experience the cutting edge of sound and music technology.
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 performance at audition. Composers are assessed based on their portfolio and an interview. 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. Please contact our Admissions team, who will be happy to discuss your suitability for the programme.
Applicants for the intensive course must be able to demonstrate at audition/interview their ability to manage the demands of the course.
All applicants must pass an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check before commencing the course.
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.
The requirement for this course is to speak English to C1 standard on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR, with a minimum standard of B2 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, listening). This is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum of 5.5. in all four components.
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.
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.
Applications for 2026 entry open in mid-July. The main application deadline is 2 October 2025.
Late applications may be considered where places remain. If you miss a deadline contact our Admissions Team to check whether a late application is possible. All applications should be submitted online through the UCAS Conservatoires.
Your audition is your chance to demonstrate your talent and potential. We recommend auditioning in person if you can, but if you are unable to travel to London there is the option to submit a video audition instead. Auditions are not available for this course at the RCM's overseas venues.
All MMusEd applicants are invited for an online interview. The interview gives you an opportunity to explain your interest and motivation for undertaking the course and to discuss any areas of interest in the field you may have. The interview also gives you the opportunity to find out more about the programme and studying at the RCM in general.
Stage 2 – Audition
Shortlisted performers will be invited to audition on their principal study, either in London or by video audition. The main audition period is late November to mid December. Recorded auditions are assessed during the same period.
Shortlisted composers will be asked to submit a portfolio of their work. Following review of the portfolio the Composition Faculty may invite applicants to participate in an interview, which may be in person in London or online.
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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