Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies in Music Performance (Taught)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies and Opera (International Artist Diploma) represents the pinnacle of achievement in performance at the RNCM and is intended for a small number of artists on the cusp of international careers.

Through intensive tuition and specialist classes, you’ll receive advanced musical training to the highest level in performance or conducting, honing your artistic, technical, presentation and communication skills. You’ll also expand your recital and concerto repertory and benefit from prestigious performance opportunities with the BBC Philharmonic and the College.

Course Modules

The PGDip comprises two strands: Advanced Performance/Composition tuition and two elective modules. All PGDip students receive regular tuition from the RNCM’s team of internationally-acclaimed staff, a wealth of performance opportunities both at the RNCM and externally, support of an appointed mentor who will advise you through your selection of options and in preparation for your final performance/portfolio, and vocational and academic elective modules options that complement specialist tuition and performance activities.

Elective modules include: accompanying; arrangement accompanying; arrangement; aural analysis and critique composition; conducting; contemporary songwriting; dissertation (research module choie); Dalcroze eurhythmics and dynamic rehearsal; Dalcroze in context (research module choice); electronic experimental ensemble; the freelance musician; musicianship for instrumentalists; musicianship for vocalists: consort singing; practical pedagogy; professional audition; professional placement; research lecture recital (research module choice); research methods: artistic research, musicology, music education or music psychology (research module choice); repertoire project (research module choice); small ensemble performance (chamber music; historical performance; jazz; popular music).

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. Composition is assessed through coursework (final portfolio) with a viva voce.