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Research Degree Programme (full-time) (Research)

  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Postgraduate
Main Site
UCAS Conservatoires
More about Royal Northern College of Music

Course options

2027-2028
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Course summary

The RNCM is firmly established as a leading centre for the advanced study not only of music performance and composition, but also theoretical and applied musicology, music psychology and music education.

Our Research Degree programme (PhD) provides opportunities for undertaking high-level research projects within the creative, and supportive environment of one of Europe’s most dynamic conservatoires.

There are five specialist pathways:

  • Performance — including performance practice and practice-as-research including Pop

  • Composition — in a variety of media and genres including Pop

  • Musicology — including the historical, analytical and cultural study of music

  • Music Psychology and cognate disciplines — including both quantitative and qualitative research in the fields of expert music performance and training

  • Music Education and pedagogy — including the philosophy, history, practice and theory of music education

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
  • Composition
  • Music Education
  • Music Psychology
  • Musicology
  • Performance

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Doctor of Philosophy • Full-Time • 3 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:
500F
Institution code:
R57
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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:
500F
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 PhD are normally required to hold a good (Distinction or Merit) master’s qualification in a relevant subject, having undertaken research training and produced a dissertation and/or portfolio of compositions or performances. They will also be considered for a place on the RNCM research degree programme if they expect their master’s qualification to be awarded within the first three months after they have enrolled. https://www.rncm.ac.uk/research/programme/postgraduate/

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7For applicants whose first language is not English, minimum scores on language tests are required for entry, regardless of how long applicants have lived in the UK and whether they undertook their bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees at UK higher education institutions. The minimum requirement for applicants to the composition and performance pathways is an average IELTS score of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any of the four components, or equivalent scores on a test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) taken no more than 12 months before the application was made. The minimum requirement for applicants to the music education, music psychology and musicology pathways is an average IELTS score of 7.0 including a minimum of 7.0 for writing and no less than 6.0 in any of the other three components (listening, reading and speaking), or equivalent scores on a test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) taken no more than 12 months before the application was made.

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

LocationOn-time Fee
RNCM, ManchesterNot available at this location
OnlineNot available at this location

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
RNCM, ManchesterNot Applicable
OnlineNot 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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