Course contact details
Admissions
Email:admissions@rncm.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 161 9075 210
Fax: +44 (0) 161 9075 375
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9RD
Advanced Artist Diploma (full-time) (Research)
- Advanced Artist Diploma
- 1 Years
- Full-Time
- September 2027
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
The Level 8 Advanced Artist Diploma is a 12 month programme intended for performers, composers and producers pursuing careers as professional artists.
With an established track record of high level artistic practice, students on the AAD programme will develop their skills, critical awareness, and artistic identity through immersive self-directed study and engagement with diverse audiences.
The programme centres on an artistic research project, devised by the student with support from a principal study tutor and artistic supervisor. The programme is assessed through a final portfolio submission, which may take the form of a recital, a recording, or a set of compositions.
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
- Composition
- Conducting
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Drumkit
- Euphonium
- Flute
- Guitar (Bass)
- Guitar (Classical)
- Guitar (Electric)
- Harp
- Harp (Pop)
- Horn (Baritone)
- Horn (French)
- Horn (Tenor)
- Oboe
- Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
- Percussion (Pop)
- Piano (solo)
- Piano/Keyboards
- Pop Instrumentalist
- Saxophone
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
- Voice
- Voice (Baritone)
- Voice (Bass)
- Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Voice (Contralto)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor)
- Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano)
- Voice (Tenor)
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Advanced Artist Diploma • Full-Time • 1 Years
Start dates
- September 2027
Apply by
13 January 2027
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:
- 550F
- Institution code:
- R57
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
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
13 January 2027
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:
- 550F
- Institution code:
- R57
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Applicants for the AAD are normally required to hold a good (Distinction or Merit) master’s qualification in a relevant subject. They will also be considered for a place on the programme if they expect their master’s qualification to be awarded within the first three months after they have enrolled. All enrolments are expected to take place in September.
Prospective applicants who do not meet these requirements should contact the Head of Doctoral Programmes (pgr@rncm.ac.uk).
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by achieving an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no individual component below 6.0. For an unconditional offer to be made, the test must have been taken no more than 12 months prior to application; where offers are made conditional on the results of language tests, these must be available for checking prior to enrolment.
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 |
|---|---|
| RNCM, Manchester | £80 |
| Online | £80 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| RNCM, Manchester | Not Applicable |
| Online | Not Applicable |
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
Tuition fees are available to view on rncm.ac.uk/tuition-fees. Fees for subsequent years of study are subject to review and may change.
Related courses
At Royal Northern College of Music
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