Royal Academy of Music, University of London

What you'll study

Core tuition centres on practical performance activities and includes:

• Performance classes
• Masterclasses
• Individual lessons for Principal Study
• Ensemble and Directed Ensemble coaching
• Lectures, seminars and academic supervisions

A broad range of elective modules are offered (changing slightly year-to-year) to support historically informed practice and professional skills. Electives include:

• Analysis and Aesthetics
• Artist Development (career, recording and self-employment skills; assessed via a portfolio)
• Attentive Listening
• Composition (for those with prior composition experience)
• Concert Programmes and Programming; Creative Programming and Research
• Concert Workshop; Creating your own performance projects
• Creative Collaboration (three-day intensive in partnership with Glyndebourne)
• Contemporary Music Workshop; Performing Experimental Music
• Enhanced Performance Techniques
• Historical Performance (period-instrument focus)
• The Interpreter’s Workshop; The Pianist’s Heritage; Principles of Chamber Music
• Open Academy (participation and community music practice)
• Performing French Music; Thinking about recording / The self-directed recording artist
• Transcription and Arrangement

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, this MA does not require an academic project proposal or written portfolio; selection emphasises musical and practical performance at audition.

Career prospects

The programme prepares graduates for careers that prioritise high-level performance on historical keyboards: solo and chamber work, continuo and ensemble positions, freelance projects, and roles that combine performance with programming, recording and community engagement. The Artist Development strand equips students with practical tools relevant to self-employment, auditions and project promotion.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Funding opportunities and scholarships are handled by the institution separately; prospective students should consult the academy’s funding pages and artist-development provision to identify scholarships, bursaries or practical support relevant to performance study and project work.