Royal Academy of Music, University of London

What you'll study

Core learning is focused on practical tuition and ensemble activity combined with associated classes and supervisions:

• Performance classes
• Masterclasses
• Individual lessons for Principal Study
• Ensemble and Directed Ensemble coaching
• Lectures and Seminars
• Academic supervisions

A broad range of elective modules is available and varies year to year. Relevant options listed for performance students include:

• Historical Performance (exploration of historically informed practice on period instruments)
• Analysis and Aesthetics
• Artist Development (career preparation, online content, recording techniques, audition preparation, funding and freelance finances; assessed via a portfolio)
• Attentive Listening
• Composition (for students with prior composition experience)
• Concert Programmes and Programming; Creative Programming and Research
• Concert Workshop; Creating Your Own Performance Projects
• Creative Collaboration (three-day intensive, Glyndebourne collaboration)
• Contemporary Music Workshop; Performing Experimental Music
• Performing French Music; The Pianist’s Heritage
• Principles of Chamber Music; Transcription and Arrangement
• Enhanced Performance Techniques; The Interpreter’s Workshop
• Open Academy (participation and community engagement opportunities)
• Thinking about recording / The self-directed recording artist

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally hold a Bachelor degree (RQF Level 6) at lower second-class honours (2:2) or above, or an international equivalent. Unlike the MMus track, the MA in Performance does not require an academic project proposal or a written portfolio; selection is based primarily on musical and practical performance at audition.

Career prospects

The programme is designed to strengthen advanced performance skills and to support the development of individual creative projects, ensembles and freelance activity, with an explicit aim of bridging into a professional performance career—particularly in historically informed and period-instrument contexts. Artist Development provision addresses practical career tools such as audition technique, recording skills and self-employed finances to help graduates navigate employment in the music profession.

Scholarships & funding angle

The course materials do not list specific scholarships. Prospective applicants should explore institutional scholarships, external music funding bodies and funding opportunities for postgraduate performers, and use the programme’s Artist Development and portfolio work to strengthen funding and freelance applications.