Royal Academy of Music, University of London

What you'll study

Core teaching centres on intensive performance training rather than written work.

• Core modules and activities: performance classes, masterclasses, individual principal-study lessons, ensemble and directed-ensemble coaching, lectures, seminars and academic supervisions.
• Historical Performance elective: opportunity to explore historically informed performance on period instruments.
• Other electives (examples include): Analysis and Aesthetics; Artist Development; Attentive Listening; Composition (for those with prior composition experience); Concert Programmes and Programming; Concert Workshop; Creative Collaboration (including a three-day intensive with Glyndebourne); Contemporary Music Workshop; Creating Your Own Performance Projects; Creative Programming and Research; Enhanced Performance Techniques; The Interpreter’s Workshop; Open Academy; Performing Experimental Music; Performing French Music; The Pianist’s Heritage; Principles of Chamber Music; Thinking About Recording / The Self-Directed Recording Artist; Transcription and Arrangement.
• Assessment focus: practical performance and a portfolio of professional activities (Artist Development is assessed via a portfolio).

Entry requirements

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

Career prospects

The programme is designed as a bridge to a performance career, supporting students who plan to work as professional musicians on period instruments or in historically informed ensembles. The Artist Development provision specifically prepares students with practical and strategic skills for sustaining a career in the music profession, including areas such as self-produced recording, audition preparation and freelance practice.

Scholarships & funding angle

Funding and scholarship opportunities vary by institution and year; applicants are advised to consult the Academy’s central funding and scholarships pages and to prepare a portfolio of performance activities to support applications for financial awards or external funding.