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Advanced Professional Diploma (Composition) (Taught)

  • Advanced Professional Diploma
  • 2 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 14 September 2027
  • Postgraduate
Main Site
UCAS Conservatoires
Awarded by:
Royal Academy of Music
More about Royal Academy of Music, University of London

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

The Advanced Professional Diploma in Composition (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 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:

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

Assessment method

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

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Advanced Professional Diploma • Full-Time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 14 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:
W304
Institution code:
R53
Campus name:
Main Site
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
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:
W304
Institution code:
R53
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

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 academic requirements

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Minimum 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.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

LocationOn-time Fee
Portfolio upload £100

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
Portfolio uploadNot Applicable

Additional Information

Your uploaded portfolio is assessed by the Composition department entry panel, that is the equivalent of the Round 1 live performance given by an instrumental candidate. Interviews for candidates selected for Round 2 will take place in December by video or in-person (London). When you submit the portfolio in Acceptd you will be asked to indicate your preference for the interview. Please see https://www.ram.ac.uk/departments/composition-contemporary-music

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 : Advanced Professional Diploma

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.

https://www.ram.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-funding

Related courses

At Royal Academy of Music, University of London

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