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Professional Diploma (Performance) (Taught)

  • PD
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Postgraduate
Main Site
UCAS Conservatoires
Awarded by:
Royal Academy of Music
More about Royal Academy of Music, University of London

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

This is a specialist and intensive Diploma at Level 7 within the UK Qualifications and Credit Framework (post-Masters), for performance candidates who wish to follow a particular area of focus within or connected to their Principal Study. Candidates should have the potential and aspiration to succeed at the highest international standard. The course offers you the chance to explore a specialism in preparation for the next stage of your career development.
Candidates normally hold a postgraduate degree in performance or composition, and must put forward a proposal outlining their specialism and what they hope to achieve.

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:

Main specialism

Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.

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
  • Accordion
  • Bassoon
  • Bassoon (Historical Performance)
  • Cello
  • Cello (Historical Performance)
  • Clarinet
  • Clarinet (Historical Performance)
  • Double Bass
  • Double Bass (Historical Performance)
  • Ensemble Piano
  • Flute
  • Flute (Historical Performance)
  • Fortepiano (Historical)
  • Guitar (Classical)
  • Harp
  • Harpsichord
  • Horn (French)
  • Horn (Natural)
  • Lute
  • Oboe
  • Oboe (Historical Performance)
  • Organ
  • Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
  • Piano
  • Recorder
  • Sackbut
  • Saxophone
  • Trombone (Bass)
  • Trombone (Tenor)
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Viola (Historical Performance)
  • Viola da Gamba
  • Violin
  • Violin (Historical Performance)

Assessment method

Please see https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/about-our-courses

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • PD • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • 14/09/2026

Apply by
2 October

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:
903F
Institution code:
R53
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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
2 October

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:
903F
Institution code:
R53
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

At the Academy we pride ourselves on our diverse international community. Over 800 students study here every year, with around sixty different nationalities from all over the world.
https://www.ram.ac.uk/student-life/international;
https://www.ram.ac.uk/accommodation.
For details about how to prepare a video audition and the prescreening recordings for auditioning at our international centres, please see the Audition Requirements section for your Department on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/departments

The application deadline for video auditions and for prescreening videos for our international centres in Australia and China is 2 October 2025, 18:00 UK time, for both the UCAS application and also your videos in Acceptd.

The application deadline for our New York audition centre is 31 October 2025, midday UK time, that is for the UCAS application and also your pre-screening videos in Acceptd.

Please note that if the Academy should not hold live auditions in the international centre you have chosen, we will assess your pre-screening video as your audition performance, and you may also be invited to have an online interview.

The application deadline for London in-person auditions in December is 2 October 2025, 18:00 UK time, for your UCAS application; then 31 October 2025, midday UK time, for submitting your Acceptd profile – the profile does not require prescreening videos.

Entry requirements

A Master’s qualification or equivalent (in a relevant subject) but the Academy welcomes applications from students who may not meet the normal requirements (https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/entry-requirements).

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)5.5Minimum score of 5.5 in every section of the test
PTE Academic59Minimum score of 59 in every section of the test
We accept IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online, and Cambridge C1 Advanced.

English Language requirements are published on our website. https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/entry-requirements

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

Our tuition fees are available on www.ram.ac.uk/fees

Sponsorship information

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.
You can find more details about financial support on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/fees-scholarships-and-bursaries.

Royal Academy of Music, University of London

Marylebone Road
Westminster
NW1 5HT

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Course contact details

Enquiries

admissions@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7373

Accordion Administrator

accordion@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7380

Brass Administrator

brass@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7320

Guitar Administrator

guitar@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7380

Harp Administrator

harp@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7380

Historical Performance

historical@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7310

Organ Administrator

organ@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7390

Piano Administrator

keyboard@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7405

Strings Administrator

strings@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7395

Timpani and Percussion Administrator

percussion@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7320

Vocal Administrator

voice@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7444

Woodwind Administrator

woodwind@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7320

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