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Master of Music in Composition (Taught)

  • MMus
  • 2 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Postgraduate
Main Site
UCAS Conservatoires
More about Royal Northern College of Music

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

The RNCM’s Master of Music (MMus) meets the needs of the music professional and is ideal for those who have a strong vision of where their future is heading.
Helping you to shape your desired career through a personalised approach to study, you’ll refine your creative and technical skills through one-to-one Principal Study training, specialist classes and masterclasses, lectures and seminars, and a range of performance opportunities. You’ll also gain valuable real-world experience through an external professional placement, and benefit from performance, audition and networking opportunities with our professional industry partners.

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.

Joint main specialism

You would like to study two specialisms, both studied equally.

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
Secondary instrument/specialisms
  • Bassoon
  • Bassoon (Contra)
  • Cello
  • Clarinet
  • Clarinet (Bass)
  • Clarinet (E flat)
  • Cor anglais
  • Cornet
  • Double Bass
  • Euphonium
  • Flute
  • Guitar (Classical)
  • Harp
  • Harpsichord
  • Horn (Baritone)
  • Horn (French)
  • Horn (Tenor)
  • Oboe
  • Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
  • Piano
  • Piano (Instrumental and Vocal Duo Performance)
  • Piccolo
  • Recorder
  • Repetiteur
  • Saxophone
  • Trombone (Bass)
  • Trombone (Tenor)
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Violin
  • Voice (Baritone)
  • Voice (Bass)
  • Voice (Bass-Baritone)
  • Voice (Contralto)
  • Voice (Counter-Tenor)
  • Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
  • Voice (Soprano)
  • Voice (Tenor)

Modules

Principal Study (Composition, Conducting, Performance or Popular Music) forms the major component of the MMus. Students also have the opportunity to pursue studies in a related specialism preparing them for research degree-level study, specifically Artistic (practice-based) Research, Musicology, Music Education, and Music Psychology.

As an MMus student, you’ll benefit from:

  • Regular Principal Study tuition and a wealth of performance and professional opportunities both at the College and externally
  • Vocational and academic elective modules that complement specialist tuition and performance activities
  • Flexible modes of performance/composition assessment allowing for your major College-led performances (e.g. major operatic roles or concerto performances) to be counted towards your final degree
  • Support from an appointed mentor who will advise you through your selection of options and in preparation for your final performance/portfolio

The core structure includes:

Year 1:

  • Performance/composition activity complemented by access to a mentor and tutors who will support you in your choice of modules and discuss with you your career aspirations
  • Two elective modules drawn from a wide range of activities, enabling you to develop a portfolio of practical, vocational and research-based areas of activity relevant to your own professional development

Year 2:

  • Performance/composition activity, which can be assessed either through traditional recital or composition portfolios or through a flexible diet of possible performance/composition assessment formats (e.g. major operatic roles or concerto performances, subject to approval) to count towards your final degree
  • Repertoire Research through which you will undertake and present research into your chosen performance repertory or compositional activity delivered through seminars and one-to-one tutorials
  • A further elective modules of supporting practical study drawn from a wide range of activities

Assessment method

Summative Assessment is undertaken through live examinations and submitted coursework. In all cases assessments are undertaken or submitted at the end of the module. Examinations and coursework submissions normally occur once in a module. The balance of assessment through either mode depends on the optional modules you choose. Principal Study in Conducting, Performance and Popular Music is normally assessed through examination, and Composition is assessed through coursework (final portfolio) with a viva voce.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • MMus • Full-time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

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:
820F
Institution code:
R57
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

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
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:
820F
Institution code:
R57
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

In some cases, candidates who have completed relevant modules of a postgraduate (Level 7) qualification at a recognised Higher Education Institution may be considered for direct entry into year 2 of the MMus programme. In the first instance, please email details of your prior learning (summary of educational background and copies of transcripts) to admissions@rncm.ac.uk.

International applicants

Over 900 students from more than 60 countries currently call the RNCM their home, and our vibrant community is continually enriched by the international students we welcome each year.

If you are hoping to join us from overseas and your first language is not English, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language ability. For the MMus, an IELTS score of 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each component (or equivalent as defined by UKVI), is required.

For further information, visit rncm.ac.uk/international

Entry requirements

All applicants hold a good honours degree or equivalent (normally in Music: FHEQ Level 6).
All applicants must be able to satisfy the RNCM that they have already achieved an advanced standard in their main discipline area and have the potential to develop further towards a professional level of attainment.
Applicants whose first language is not English must obtain an IELTS score of 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each component (or equivalent as defined by UKVI). Some options within this course my require IELTS 6.5 or 7.0.

Additional entry requirements

Audition
All applicants must pass an RNCM audition. All applicants must pass an RNCM audition. For 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.
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
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
Portfolio
Other
All applicants are required to submit an academic transcript of undergraduate studies achieved to date and an example of prior written work demonstrating academic referencing in electronic format (e.g. Word document or PDF).

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 RNCM charges tuition fees to all students for each year of study. To determine the status of undergraduate students for fee purposes, we follow regulations issued by the UK Government. If you don’t qualify for Home status, you’ll be enrolled as an International student.

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

Sponsorship information

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 and postgraduate 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.

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