2 years full-time, 12 months fast-track, 3 years part-time (part-time not available in Vocal & Opera)
Location
In-person, London
Applications
Applications for 2026 entry will open in July 2025.
The Master of Music in Performance (MMus Perf) course is an advanced training degree designed to develop your performance skills to a professional level, enriched by your own research.
The Master of Music in Performance (MMus Perf) 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 while advancing your critical, analytical and research abilities.
Usually taken over two years, the course is tailored to those who aim to enter the profession 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.
Additionally, you will undertake independent research, exploring the historical, contextual and aesthetic aspects of the music you perform and create.
The MMus Perf 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 2022–2025
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.
There are also opportunities to apply for the College’s Exchange Programme, available to students who wish to study abroad during the Autumn term of their second year, through an audition process.
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 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 from students wishing to study on a part-time basis. For part-time study, the equivalent 240 credits are studied over three academic years. Optional modules can be selected to complement other professional endeavours and developmental goals, alongside Principal Study performance and the full range of performance opportunities and faculty-based activities. Part-time applicants should apply for the programme as for full-time study and advise the RCM Admissions team of their intention to study on a part-time basis. Entry requirements for part-time applicants are as for full-time study.
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.
Fast-track study
This intensive route allows students to complete a 180-credit MMus Perf, MMus Comp or MMusEd degree in 12 months, instead of the standard two years. With a demanding workload spread across all three terms, including the summer period, the programme includes Principal Study, Core MMus modules, a Professional Artist or Supporting Studies option, and an elective. Fast-track students should be prepared for a rigorous but highly focussed learning experience, ideal for those seeking to accelerate their professional and academic goals. Please note: Fast-track study is not available for Vocal and Opera students.
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.
Preparing for the profession
Our Creative Careers Centre
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, and two recent examples of extended written work in English, such as essays.
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.
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.
'Even though I was studying French horn at the RCM, I was very determined to pursue conducting; the Brass Faculty was very supportive and I transitioned into conducting whilst studying. As part of my desire to learn about management, I successfully campaigned to become Students' Union President, which was an incredible experience. By founding the RCM Film Orchestra, I was able to start my conducting career.'
Pablo Urbina (MMus), horn player and Principal Conductor of Orchestra Vitae
Fees & support
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 RCM 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 for most applications is 2 October 2025, although this may vary for some overseas audition locations. Check your deadline before applying.
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. The RCM holds live auditions at our campus in London. Auditions are also available for most principal studies and courses at our overseas audition venues in the USA, Asia and Australia. We recommend auditioning in person if you can, but if you are unable to attend one of our audition venues, there is the option to 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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