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Graduate Diploma of the RNCM and Bachelor of Music with Honours (The University of Manchester)

  • Bachelor of Music (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
UCAS Conservatoires
Awarded by:
University of Manchester
More about Royal Northern College of Music

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

This unique and competitive programme offers those with outstanding musical and academic ability the opportunity to study two degree-level courses simultaneously: the Graduate Diploma of the RNCM (GRNCM) and the Bachelor of Music (MusB) at The University of Manchester.

This course is designed for students who are not only busy performers with a wide variety of professional experience, but highly intelligent musical thinkers.

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
  • Bassoon
  • Cello
  • Cello (Pop)
  • Clarinet
  • Composition
  • Cornet
  • Double Bass
  • Drumkit
  • Euphonium
  • Flute
  • Flute (Pop)
  • Guitar (Bass)
  • Guitar (Classical)
  • Guitar (Electric)
  • Harp
  • Harp (Pop)
  • Harpsichord
  • Horn (Baritone)
  • Horn (French)
  • Horn (Tenor)
  • Music Production
  • Oboe
  • Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
  • Percussion (Pop)
  • Piano (solo)
  • Piano/Keyboards
  • Pop Instrumentalist
  • Recorder
  • Saxophone
  • Saxophone (Pop)
  • Trombone (Bass)
  • Trombone (Pop)
  • Trombone (Tenor)
  • Trumpet
  • Trumpet (Pop)
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Violin
  • Violin (Pop)
  • Voice
  • Voice (Baritone)
  • Voice (Bass)
  • Voice (Bass-Baritone)
  • Voice (Contralto)
  • Voice (Counter-Tenor)
  • Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
  • Voice (Solo Singer-Songwriter)
  • Voice (Soprano)
  • Voice (Tenor)

Modules

Course Modules

Study comprises the entire three-year MusB (Hons) programme at The University of Manchester and approximately two-thirds of our four-year Bachelor of Music with Honours (BMus (Hons)) or Bachelor of Music with Honours in Popular Music (BMusP (Hons)). Your time with us involves intensive one-to-one tuition, specialist classes and masterclasses, performance opportunities and a series of modules dedicated to ensembles, a professional industry placement, production and composition (for Popular Music students), and a wealth of elective options. This is complemented by the strong academic foundation gained through your studies.

RNCM: Principal Study, ensemble work, practical and research electives including, for example, chamber music, conducting, teaching, etc.; and Professional Placement.

University of Manchester: Performance, Musicology, Tonal Harmony, Musicianship, Music Theory, Music History, and more.

Assessment method

Assessment methods are designed to develop and evaluate various skills in all students. Feedback is provided on all assessments, enabling students to enhance their learning by acting on constructive criticism and appraisals given in the context of all modules, both formatively and in relation to summative, credit-bearing assessments. Assessment methods are diverse and may include the following: Live performance or composition portfolio assessment, written assessment, reflective portfolio, presentation, vlog or blog, arrangements, theory tests, aural and improvisation assessment.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Music (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
1 October 2026

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:
399F
Institution code:
R57
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Northern College of Music 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
1 October 2026

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:
399F
Institution code:
R57
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA

All applicants must achieve AAA or above at GCE A level (A2), normally including music.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

GCSE/National 4/National 5

All applicants must achieve passes in three different subjects at GCSE level (grades A*-C/9-4) or acceptable equivalent.

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio
All composition applicants must submit a portfolio of three works as part of their main application which will be reviewed by a shortlisting panel. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be invited to undertake an interview and score analysis exercise during our main audition period. All Popular Music applicants must submit a recorded and produced portfolio of original songs or instrumental pieces. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be invited to undertake a production demonstration on your preferred DAW.
Other
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year of entry.
Audition
All instrumental and vocal applicants must pass an RNCM audition in the year prior to entry, demonstrating a high standard of performance and potential, of at least ABRSM/RGT/Rockschool/Trinity grade 8 standard.
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Interview
All shortlisted applicants must pass a University of Manchester interview in the year prior to entry, demonstrating academic suitability to the course.

English language requirements

Applicants who are not from a majority English-speaking country must have IELTS 7.0 or equivalent with no component lower than 6.5.https://www.rncm.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/english-language-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

LocationOn-time Fee
Online £80
RNCM, Manchester £80

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
OnlineNot Applicable
RNCM, ManchesterNot Applicable

Additional Information

Visit rncm.ac.uk/youraudition for full audition requirements for all instruments.

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

Tuition fees are available to view on rncm.ac.uk/tuition-fees. Fees for subsequent years of study are subject to review and may change.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 6

Scholarships are offered to applicants who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential at audition. There’s no separate application process for these as everyone is automatically considered. Scholarship Awards are for the first year of study only (unless specifically stated otherwise).

A limited number of Bursaries are also available for International students, allocated on the basis of need and merit. If you’re successful in gaining a Bursary, this will be deducted from your tuition fees, leaving you with a net balance to pay.

Visit rncm.ac.uk/fees for information about scholarships and bursaries.

Related courses

At Royal Northern College of Music

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