Wearing gloves and picking up a wooden flute from storage, in the RCM's Wolfson Centre

Research

Research at the Royal College of Music embraces the creative, cultural and scientific study of music. Our thriving community of researchers works on a diverse range of projects in musicology, performance science, music education, composition and performance.

Our students are mentored and supported by staff at the cutting edge of research and innovation in their own disciplines, recognised internationally for their work. With access to fantastic resources, staff and students are able to work on research projects that embrace themes that include creative practice, experiential learning, history, music psychology and health and wellbeing.

The Royal College of Music (RCM) is ranked top UK conservatoire offering music as a single subject in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

News

Royal College of Music ranked global No. 1 for performing arts 2023

The Royal College of Music has been ranked as the global No. 1 institution for performing arts in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject, holding this position for the second consecutive year.

Season’s Greetings from the Royal College of Music 2022

The Royal College of Music (RCM) wishes you a festive season full of joy and music with a special performance of Silent Night filmed in RCM’s wonderful new campus.

Watch

Introduction to doctoral study at the RCM

Find out about our specialist research degrees

Back to top