The Royal Academy of Music is a renowned institution affiliated to the University of London. The academy trains nearly 858 students including 46% of International Students from over 60 countries. The Royal College of Music in London is ranked #4 in the top performing arts institution in both the UK and Europe by the QS World University Rankings(2021)
The academy is divided into 22 musical departments, which include brass, conducting, harp, jazz, organ, and timpani and percussion. Each department provides specialised courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The academy and its activities have been developed in accordance with expectations set out in the UK Quality Code of Higher education and is considered among the best universities in the UK for musical studies.
All international and domestic postgraduates are also invited to apply for financial assistance. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and bursaries are given to students based on financial need. Applicants are required to submit financial assistance application online by 31 January. The scholarships range from GBP 5000 to GBP 15,000. Students can also apply for external scholarships to sudy in the UK
Highlights
| Type | Public |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Establishment year | 1822 |
| Number of campus | One campus at Marylebone road, London |
| Application mode | Online |
| Courses offered | Pre-professional, undergraduate and graduate – masters, diploma and doctoral |
| Total students | 858 |
| Affiliation | University of London |
| Academic calendar | Semester System |
| Official website: | ram.ac.uk |
| International Admission helpdesk | admissions@ram.ac.uk |
Royal Academy of Music Campus
Royal Academy of Music has a magnificent campus located at Marylebone Road, London. The university has state of the art, recital halls, five new percussion studios, refurbished practice and dressing rooms. The other facilities provided to students on the campus are:
- Theatre for opera
- Audio-visual control room
- Practice studios in our custom-built suite
- Dedicated professional recording services
- The Academy Museum, which hosts regular research events and includes on-site instrument workshops
Royal Academy of Music Accommodation
- International students can easily find accommodation which is a few minutes’ walk from the academy.
- The Academy offers accommodation for short term as well as for an academic year. Facilities like canteen, restaurants and bars are available. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options are available.
- Students may also take residence at University of London – Student Homes which are within 30 minutes travel from the academy.
- The academy has also leased 11 Marylebone flats which provide accommodation to 32 academy students. These residences are self-catered and are about 5 minutes’ walk from the academy.
Royal Academy of Music Programs
Royal Academy of Music has bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered across a variety of musical disciplines. The academy offers a four-year Bachelor of music and one-year Organ foundation course at the undergraduate level. The academy also has a Gap year, study abroad and exchange programmes for one year before taking undergraduate degrees.
- In the third and fourth year of B.Mus., a wide range of electives are available to choose from. Example: Mozart Opera, Brahms, Messiaen, Instrumentation, Advanced Aural, music and business, Creative music leadership etc.
- At postgraduate level, the Academy offers three Masters, four diplomas and a doctoral degree.
- The Masters degrees offered are Master of arts in performance and composition (MA), Master of arts in musical theatre (MA) and Master of music in performance or composition (MMus).
- The academy offers a doctoral degree in performance practice or composition.
Royal Academy of Music Application Process
International Students can apply for admission at Royal Academy of Music through UCAS. The selection is based on auditions which can be sent through video or by physically being present at one of the audition centres. The audition centres are established in London, North America, Australia and in Asia according to the demand.
Application portal: UCAS Conservatories
Application fee:
- UCAS Conservatories fee – 27 pounds
- Application fee for auditions in Asia – 150 pounds
- Application fee for audition in London or through video – 100 pounds
- Application fee for Musical theatre – 76 pounds
Application deadline:
| Category | Deadline |
| Courses and audition centres in London, Australia and East Asia | 1 October |
| Musical theatre and orchestral conduct | 1 November |
| MPhil/PhD | 15 January |
Academic Requirements:
- Application and fee
- Minimum age of 18 years by 31 December of that year
- Auditions
- High school/college transfer credit
- Reference letters
- Passport copy
- Personal statement
- Additional program wise requirements
- English language proficiency test scores
-
The minimum overall TOEFL iBT for visa eligibility 72.
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| Program | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Music Year 1 entry Gap Year Master of Arts Postgraduate Certificate Professional Diploma |
5.5 | 51 |
| BMus Year 2 or 3 entry, Study Abroad/Exchange |
6.0 | 58 |
| Advanced Diploma (Performance) Advanced Diploma (Opera) |
6.0 | 58 |
| MMus, MPhil/PhD | 7.0 | 70 |
Royal Academy of Music Cost of Attendance
The average living cost including rent, travel, utilities, food etc. is estimated to be 12,500 GBP. Annually, 2-5 % fee hike in tuition fees is applicable to all the programs. Mentioned below are some of the courses with their tuition fees:
| Programme | Fees in GBP |
|---|---|
| BMus | 24,100 |
| MA and PGCert (except Musical Theatre) (1-year intensive) | 27,450 |
| MA and PGCert (except Musical Theatre) (2-year standard) | 24,950 |
| MMus (1-year intensive) | 30,550 |
| MMus (2-year standard) | 28,050 |
| MPhil/PhD | 15,000 |
| MPhil/PhD writing-up | 1,500 |
| Gap Year, Organ Foundation | 23,250 |
| Musical Theatre MA and PGCert | 19,850 |
| Musical Direction & Coaching MA and PGCert | 25,10 |
Royal Academy of Music Financial aid
The academy offers need-based and merit-based scholarships on the basis of auditions. The academy recommends international students to contact either their own education ministry or British council for possible awards of grants. Scholarships range from small awards to full fees. Most awards are to help with tuition fees.
The private loan assistance for international students is available through Global education management services (GEMS). Work-study is also encouraged as a means to fund studies in the UK.
| Scholarships | Eligibility | Award |
| Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Scholarship | considered automatically by the Royal Academy of Music’s Selection Board following the auditions | Full tuition fees and maintenance award of GBP 5,000 |
| Julian Bream Trust Scholarship | For classical guitarists and lutenists | Award varies each year |
| The Hans Keller Scholarship | Postgraduate student in the Department of Strings | Covers full tuition fees |
| Nina Finburgh Scholarship | Talented disabled students | up to the level of GBP 15,000 |
Royal Academy of Music Alumni
The academy maintains a life-long connection with their alumni and offers them networking opportunities, career support and ways to share their story. Some of the alumni benefits provided with alumni cards are:
- Access to online and campus libraries and resources.
- Discount on various music related shops and events.
- All alumni are entitled for a free career coaching session and professional opportunities mailing list.
- The academy has also set up international alumni associations in Japan and Hong Kong.
Royal Academy of Music Notable Alumni
- Sir Simon Rattle
- Annie Lennox
- Sir Harrison Birtwistle
- Dennis Brain
- Alan Bush
- John Barbirolli
Royal Academy of Music Placement
The Royal Academy of Music is a member institution of the University of London. This means that students studying for any of the courses will receive degrees from the University of London when graduating. The academy sends job vacancies from various organisations under collaboration wishing to employ the graduates of The Royal Academy of Music. University invites the greatest names in the industry to showcase the talent of their students on a wide range of projects, often finishing with a public performance.
- The students take part in around 500 events
- Royal Academy Opera stages three full-scale productions each year.
- Illustrious roster of visiting professors every year
- Collaborate internationally with many leading institutions including The Juilliard School
- Instrumentalists and composers the opportunity to work intensively with leading composers.
The curriculum at the Royal Academy of Music is a finely tuned blend of primary study, practical activities, artist development, and academic components. Courses are designed to provide students with everything they need to launch a successful career in music, with enough flexibility to meet their individual goals while also covering the realities of being a professional musician. Our emphasis on one-on-one lessons, small-group teaching and our tailored approach to artist development result in one of the best employability records of any British university.
