Course contact details
Admissions Team
Email:admissions@rwcmd.ac.uk
Phone:029 2039 1361
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Castle Grounds
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3ER
MMus Orchestral Performance
- Master of Music
- 2 Years
- Full-Time
- 20 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
- Awarded by:
- University of South Wales (Prifysgol De Cymru)
Course summary
The MMus Orchestral Performance programme is available over two years, full-time. In exceptional cases a one year intensive programme is available. For more information, please see our website: https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/course/mmus-orchestral-performance
Course overview
Performance placements in national orchestras – along with tailored training and mentoring schemes with industry professionals – form the foundation of this master’s programme.
The course equips you with the technical, stylistic and artistic skills that underpin orchestral performance at the highest level.
You’ll get one-to-one training from professional orchestral musicians, but also take part in a variety of solo and ensemble activities so you can immerse yourself in the art of performance.
Placements with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) and the Welsh National Opera (WNO) are embedded into the course. And with these organisations’ regular professional development seminars and mentoring schemes, you can easily lay the groundwork for a career as a professional orchestra musician.
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
- Clarinet
- Double Bass
- Flute
- Harp
- Horn (French)
- Oboe
- Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
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:
- 808F
- Institution code:
- R59
- Campus name:
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Entry is by audition. Minimum entry requirements usually include an undergraduate degree in music or an equivalent qualification. Applications from candidates who have been studying or working in another field will also be considered.
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Regardless of how you intend to audition all applicants are required to create an Acceptd profile and application. You should expect to be ready to do this at the point of submitting your UCAS application (https://app.getacceptd.com/rwcmd).
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
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| CBCDC Myfyrwyr | Fee Not Known |
| Cardiff RWCMD | £63 |
| Online | £63 |
*Fee not collected by UCAS
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| CBCDC Myfyrwyr | Not Applicable |
| Cardiff RWCMD | Not Applicable |
| Online | Not Applicable |
*Fee not collected by UCAS
Additional Information
All candidates for Music performance courses will be required to attend or submit an audition in support of their application. Further information, requirements and guidance can be found on the RWCMD website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £14400* | |
| EU & International | £31300* |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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 fees stated are for one academic year and are subject to an annual increase.
Related courses
At Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
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