Course contact details
Enquiries
Email:admissions@ram.ac.uk
Phone:020 7873 7373
Composition Administrator
Email:composition@ram.ac.uk
Phone:020 7873 7471
Royal Academy of Music, University of London
Marylebone Road
Westminster
NW1 5HT
Master of Arts (Composition) (Taught)
- MA (PG)
- 2 Years
- Full-time
- 14 September 2026
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
- Awarded by:
- University of London
Course summary
Composition at the Academy has an international reputation centred on intensive project-based programmes. All work is rehearsed and recorded in regular workshops with instrumental and vocal students. Many opportunities arise for student compositions to be played by ensembles and orchestras, and commissions are offered to write for a large number of events. This course choice is for the standard course length of two years, though in exceptional cases students can be allowed to take a one-year course. The course path (MA 1 or 2 years, or MMus) can be discussed at the entrance interview and adjusted as appropriate, you are not tied to the option you choose when you submit your application in UCAS Conservatoires.
The deadline for the Academy to receive both your UCAS Conservatoires application and also your portfolio in your Acceptd application profile is 2 October, 18:00 UK time.
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
- Composition
Assessment method
Please see the information on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/about-our-courses
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- MA (PG) • Full-time • 2 Years
Start dates
- 14 September 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:
- 7300
- Institution code:
- R53
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Royal Academy of Music, University of London 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:
- 7300
- Institution code:
- R53
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
At the Academy we pride ourselves on our diverse international community. Over 800 students study here every year, with around sixty different nationalities from all over the world.
https://www.ram.ac.uk/student-life/international
https://www.ram.ac.uk/accommodation
We are offering a choice of video or in-person interview to all candidates selected to progress to Round Two after their portfolio has been assessed. When you submit the portfolio in Acceptd you will be asked to indicate your preference for the interview.
Entry requirements
Bachelor Degree with Honours, or APEL equivalent. https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/entry-requirements
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- Candidates selected from the portfolio round are interviewed by the Composition entry panel.
- Portfolio
- Details and instructions are on https://www.ram.ac.uk/departments/composition/composition-application
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 | Minimum score of 5.5 in every section of the test. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Minimum score of 59 in every section of the test. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 72 | Minimum scores for Reading: 18, Listening: 17, Speaking: 20, Writing: 17. |
We accept IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition. PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
English Language requirements are published on our website.https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/entry-requirements
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 | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio upload | £100 | £100 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late fee |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio upload | Not available at this location | |
Additional Information
Your uploaded portfolio is assessed by the Composition department entry panel. The upload portal and the portfolio requirements are available through https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/departments/composition-and-contemporary-music/courses. The portfolio assessment is the equivalent of the first-round live performance given by an instrumental or vocal candidate to a panel at the Academy. You will be informed around the beginning of November whether you have been selected for a Round Two panel interview. Interviews for candidates selected after their portfolio submission will take place during the main audition period in London in December. We are offering a choice of video or in-person interview to all candidates selected to progress to Round Two after their portfolio has been assessed. When you submit the portfolio in Acceptd you will be asked to indicate your preference for the interview.
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 on www.ram.ac.uk/fees
Sponsorship information
Entrance Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit during our advertised audition sessions. Composers are assessed for scholarships on the basis of their second-round interview. There is no separate scholarship application process, and entrance scholarship awards are confirmed in candidates' offer details.
You can find more details about financial support on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/fees-scholarships-and-bursaries.
Related courses
At Royal Academy of Music, University of London
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