Royal College of Music
Prince Consort Road
Kensington and Chelsea
London
SW7 2BS
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Email:admissions@rcm.ac.uk
Phone:020 7591 4362
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Artist Diploma in Performance (Keyboard) (Taught)
- Art Dip
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
The Artist Diploma (ArtDip) represents the highest level of taught postgraduate study. It is tailored to musicians aiming to hone their skills by working intensively on specific areas of their artistic development. The Artist Diploma is designed for students who wish to work intensively on solo performance as a prelude to entering the music profession. It provides time for preparation of concerts, recitals and competitions, under the guidance of the RCM’s staff and instrumental faculty specialists. Places on our Artist Diploma programmes are only offered to students who have already demonstrated a high level of ability at Masters level.
For most principal studies, the ArtDip in Performance may be studied for up to two years, except for keyboard instruments where a maximum of one year is possible. The duration for individual students will depend on their individual progress and readiness for assessment. Most students will complete the programme within one year. Applicants interested in the 2 year version of the course should discuss this with the panel at audition.
Final examination for the Artist Diploma in Performance usually takes the form of a concert, recital engagement or concerto performance.
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
- Collaborative Piano
- Contemporary Piano
- Organ
- Piano
Modules
The Artist Diploma in Performance provides time for preparation of concerts, recitals and competitions, under the guidance of the RCM’s staff and instrumental faculty specialists.
Assessment method
Final examination takes the form of a concert, recital engagement or concerto performance.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Art Dip • Full-time • 1 Years
Start dates
- 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:
- 607F
- Institution code:
- R56
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Royal 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:
- 607F
- Institution code:
- R56
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
The Royal College of Music has a long tradition of welcoming international students from all over the world. Our broad community of staff and students makes the RCM an exciting and diverse hub of musical activity. Almost half of our students are from outside the UK, studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The application process is the same for students of all nationalities. Different application deadlines may apply for some of our overseas audition venues, please see our website for details.
Entry requirements
A Masters degree, postgraduate diploma or equivalent experience.
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Audition requirements https://www.rcm.ac.uk/keyboard/auditionrequirements/
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 | Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 5.5 is required in all components. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 59 is required in all components. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Level B2 | Overall score of 160-179 and no less than 160 in any component. |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity ISE II certificate. Must include a pass in all components. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 72 | Overall score of 72, with minimum component scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17 |
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UK Home Office) do not need to sit an English test if you can provide a valid passport from an English speaking country. Some other exceptions apply - please consult our website for details.
The RCM's English Language Requirements are available in full at this link: http://www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/englishlanguagerequirements/
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
Full details of the tuition fees for the 2026-2027 academic year will be available at www.rcm.ac.uk/apply/feesandfunding/ once published.
Sponsorship information
The RCM is able to support many students with scholarships thanks to the generosity of charitable trusts, companies, businesses, individual members of the public and legacies. Any student who auditions (via video or in person) for a place at the RCM will automatically be considered for a scholarship or study award; there is no separate application process. Scholarships are awarded on merit based on performance at audition. The RCM offers two Junior Fellowships for students on the Artist Diploma programme: see http://www.rcm.ac.uk/juniorfellowships/ for details.
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