Course contact details
Enquiries
Email:admissions@ram.ac.uk
Phone:020 7873 7373
Research Administrator
Email:postgrad@ram.ac.uk
Royal Academy of Music, University of London
Marylebone Road
Westminster
NW1 5HT
Research Degree Programme (Research)
- Doctor of Philosophy
- 4 Years
- Full-Time
- 14 September 2027
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
- Awarded by:
- University of London
Course summary
The Royal Academy of Music offers research degrees in Performance Practice and in Composition.
The Academy’s research degrees are aimed at performers and composers who already have highly developed skills and focused career aspirations, including those with a well-established career. You will work with an individual supervisor and a team of creative staff at the Academy to develop your work through engaging in a substantial research project. This will normally be directly connected to and driven by your creative activity as a performer or composer but will also require you to establish a research context and undertake a process of investigation and critical reflection.
The Academy offers an integrated PhD degree over four years, although students can exit with an MPhil after two years. Research degree candidates are assessed on their ability to gain the PhD qualification; they join the MPhil programme as 'probationary' PhD students; transfer to PhD normally takes place after one or two years. During your studies you will be allocated 30 hours of supervision per year, which can be divided between academic and practical supervision as negotiated with the Postgraduate Programmes Board and your supervisor. The fourth year of study is a writing up year.
Course details
Principal study options
During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:
Instrument/specialisms
For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.
Primary instrument/specialism
- Composition
- Performance Practice
Assessment method
Please see the information on https://www.ram.ac.uk/departments/research-degrees
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Doctor of Philosophy • Full-Time • 4 Years
Start dates
- 14 September 2027
Apply by
13 January 2027
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 950F
- Institution code:
- R53
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Royal Academy of Music, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.
Apply by
13 January 2027
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 950F
- Institution code:
- R53
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
An upper second-class honours Bachelor degree and it is preferable also to have a Master’s degree. https://www.ram.ac.uk/entry-requirements
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | Minimum score of 5.5 in every section of the test. |
| PTE Academic | 76 | Minimum score of 59 in every section of the test for candidates who need a student visa. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 95 | Minimum scores for Reading: 18, Listening: 17, Speaking: 20, Writing: 17. |
We accept IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition. PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online and Cambridge C1 Advanced.https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/entry-requirements
Assessment locations
In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.
Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.
Single specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| London | £100 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| London | Not Applicable |
Additional Information
There are two rounds in the assessment process. Your application will require a detailed proposal and we recommend that you get in contact to discuss your ideas with one of the supervisory team prior to applying. Initial enquiries should be sent to Dr Tom Reid, Postgraduate and Research Administrator [TReid@ram.ac.uk]. If you are selected to proceed to the second round, you will be invited to an in-person interview in London during March.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The tuition fee rates are published on our website's Fees and Funding page.
Sponsorship information
Scholarships and bursaries : Research (MPhil/PhD)
Entrance Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit following entrance assessment during our advertised audition sessions. There is no separate scholarship application process, and entrance scholarship awards are confirmed in candidates' offer details. We have information about possible external funding sources on our Fees and Funding page and students joining this course can apply for an Academy Financial Assistance Bursary.
The UK Student Finance Company allows eligible students to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan: https://www.gov.uk/doctoral-loan
Related courses
At Royal Academy of Music, University of London
Like this page