Music open day | Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
25 Jun 2026, 07:00
Cardiff
Postgraduate Diploma Advanced Professional Practice (Taught)
- PgDip
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- 21 September 2026
- Postgraduate
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
- Awarded by:
- University of South Wales (Prifysgol De Cymru)
Course summary
A one year full-time advanced, individually tailored, specialist programme for students who have completed a Masters course in Performance (instrumental, vocal and conducting) or Composition at a Conservatoire and are seeking a final, additional period of specialist training before entering their chosen area of the profession. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/music .
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
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Cello (Jazz)
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (Jazz)
- Composition
- Conducting (Brass Band)
- Conducting (Choral)
- Conducting (Orchestral)
- Cornet
- Cornetto
- Double Bass
- Double Bass (Jazz)
- Drumkit (Jazz)
- Electric bass (jazz)
- Euphonium
- Flugelhorn
- Flute
- Flute (Jazz)
- Guitar (Classical)
- Guitar (Jazz)
- Harp
- Harpsichord
- Horn (Baritone)
- Horn (French)
- Horn (Natural)
- Horn (Tenor)
- Lute
- Oboe
- Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
- Piano
- Piano (Accompaniment)
- Piano (Jazz)
- Sackbut
- Saxophone
- Saxophone (Jazz)
- Trombone (Alto)
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Jazz)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Trumpet (Jazz)
- Trumpet (Natural)
- Tuba
- Viol
- Viola
- Violin
- Violin (Jazz)
- Voice (Alto)
- Voice (Alto/Mezzo) Opera
- Voice (Baritone)
- Voice (Bass)
- Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Voice (Bass/Bar) Opera
- Voice (Contralto)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor) Opera
- Voice (Jazz)
- Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano) Opera
- Voice (Tenor)
- Voice (Tenor) Opera
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:
- 625F
- Institution code:
- R59
- Campus name:
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
International applicants whose first language is not English will need to gain an English language qualification. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/englishlanguage
Please note that graduates of Postgraduate Diploma courses are not eligible to apply for the Graduate route visa.
Entry requirements
Entry to the postgraduate music programmes is by audition. Candidates should be able to demonstrate a level of performance ability appropriate for professional training. Minimum entry requirements usually include a Masters Degree in Music Performance, Opera, Composition or Conducting from a Conservatoire.
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Regardless of how you intend to audition all applicants are required to create an Acceptd profile and application. You should expect to be ready to do this at the point of submitting your UCAS application (https://app.getacceptd.com/rwcmd).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff RWCMD | £63 | £63 |
| Online | £63 | £63 |
| UKEC China | No fee charged | |
| China - ZL Estrella | No fee charged | |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff RWCMD | Not available at this location | |
| Online | Not available at this location | |
| UKEC China | Not available at this location | |
| China - ZL Estrella | Not available at this location | |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Course contact details
Admissions Team
Email:admissions@rwcmd.ac.uk
Phone:029 2039 1361
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Castle Grounds
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3ER
Related courses
At Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
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