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Professional Diploma (Composition) (Taught)

Course details
  • Prof Dip
  • 1 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 14 September 2027
  • Postgraduate
Course location
Main Site
Course scheme
UCAS Conservatoires
Awarded by:
Royal Academy of Music

Course summary

This is a specialist and intensive Diploma at Level 7 within the UK Qualifications and Credit Framework (post-Masters), for composition candidates who wish to follow a particular area of focus within or connected to their Principal Study. Candidates should have the potential and aspiration to succeed at the highest international standard.
We need to receive both your UCAS Conservatoires application and also your portfolio in your Acceptd application profile by the application deadline.

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

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
1 October 2026

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:
904F
Institution code:
R53
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

A Master’s qualification or equivalent (in a relevant subject) but the Academy welcomes applications from students who may not meet the normal requirements.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Minimum score of 5.5 in every section of the test
PTE Academic59Minimum score of 59 in every section of the test

We accept IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online, and Cambridge C1 Advanced.https://www.ram.ac.uk/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

LocationOn-time Fee
Portfolio upload £100

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
Portfolio uploadNot Applicable

Additional Information

Your uploaded portfolio is assessed by the Composition department entry panel, that is the equivalent of the Round 1 live performance given by an instrumental candidate. Interviews for candidates selected for Round 2 will take place in December by video or in-person (London). When you submit the portfolio in Acceptd you will be asked to indicate your preference for the interview. Please see https://www.ram.ac.uk/departments/composition-contemporary-music

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

The tuition fee rates are published on our website's Fees and Funding page.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries : Professional Diploma

Entrance Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit following entrance assessment during our advertised audition sessions. There is no separate scholarship application process, and entrance scholarship awards are confirmed in candidates' offer details. We have information about possible external funding sources on our Fees and Funding page and students joining this course can apply for an Academy Financial Assistance Bursary.

https://www.ram.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-funding

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