The Advanced Professional Diploma in Performance (APD) is a two-year course for students seeking a final-stage bridge to professional work. The course supports development of a range of industry-related skills (as appropriate to the individual profile) with course supervision provided in addition to one-to-one lessons. Successful applicants will have highly developed performance or compositional skills and a detailed understanding of their individual professional development needs. This will need to be articulated in the form of a deliverable set of outcomes/goals for the work during the course.
APD students will be supported in developing a high degree of independence in their work through the course, in order to be able to meet professional expectations. The course is at level 8 of the FHEQ, which demands a high level of autonomy and initiative.
This course is right for you if you are almost ready to enter the profession and have a strategy for refining or developing specific skills to make the transition. It is designed to enable students to make the most of the artistic and educational opportunities afforded by the Academy and its location in the heart of London.
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)
Ways to study this course
Campuses
Main Site
Study options
APDRQFL • Full-time • 2 Years
Start dates
14/09/2026
Application codes
Course code:
W303
Institution code:
R53
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.
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.
Application codes
Course code:
W303
Institution code:
R53
Fees and funding
Choose a specific option to see funding information.
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.
