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Advanced Artist Diploma (Taught)

  • Advanced Artist Diploma
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Postgraduate
Main Site
UCAS Conservatoires
Awarded by:
University of London
More about Royal Academy of Music, University of London

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

The Advanced Artist Diploma (AAD, Level 8) is for a select group of instrumentalists at the highest level. The UCAS application deadline is 2 October 2025. The course supports development of a range of industry-related skills (as appropriate to your individual profile) with mentoring provided in addition to one-to-one lessons. Successful applicants will be ready to take full advantage of a recording opportunity with world-class production and special release arrangements on major streaming platforms and/or record labels. Students selected for this course will receive a full-fees scholarship and will also be eligible for additional scholarship support at the point of entry. (The recording will receive separate financial support.) AAD students will be required to self-manage critical aspects of the delivery of the recording, and the range of work undertaken during the course, in line with professional expectations. The course is at level 8 of the FHEQ, which demands a high level of autonomy and initiative, as well as highly developed artistry. This course is right for you if you are on the cusp of an international career and aim to develop musical collaborations at a corresponding level. It is designed to enable students to make the most of the artistic and educational opportunities afforded by the Academy and its location in the heart of London.

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
  • Accordion
  • Bassoon
  • Bassoon (Historical Performance)
  • Cello
  • Cello (Historical Performance)
  • Clarinet
  • Clarinet (Historical Performance)
  • Double Bass
  • Double Bass (Historical Performance)
  • Ensemble Piano
  • Flute
  • Flute (Historical Performance)
  • Fortepiano (Historical)
  • Guitar (Classical)
  • Harp
  • Harpsichord
  • Horn (French)
  • Horn (Natural)
  • Lute
  • Oboe
  • Oboe (Historical Performance)
  • Organ
  • Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
  • Piano
  • Recorder
  • Sackbut
  • Saxophone
  • Trombone (Bass)
  • Trombone (Tenor)
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Viola (Historical Performance)
  • Viola da Gamba
  • Violin
  • Violin (Historical Performance)

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

  • Advanced Artist Diploma • Full-time • 1 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:
W311
Institution code:
R53
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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:
W311
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. For details about how to prepare a video audition, please see the Audition Requirements section for your Department on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/departments

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. A performance standard at least equivalent to a Distinction at Master’s level. https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/entry-requirements

English language requirements

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

LocationOn-time FeeLate Fee
London £100 £100
Video Recording: Upload £100 £100

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time FeeLate fee
LondonNot available at this location
Video Recording: UploadNot available at this location

Additional Information

Please see the information on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/audition. The entry point for this course is Year 1. London in-person auditions for your Principal Study are not pre-screened. Video auditions: for details about how to prepare a video audition, please see the Audition Requirements section for your Department on https://www.ram.ac.uk/study/departments. The application deadline for video auditions is 2 October 2025, 18:00 UK time, for both the UCAS application and also your audition videos in Acceptd. The application deadline for London in-person auditions in December is 2 October 2025, 18:00 UK time, for your UCAS application; then 31 October 2025, midday UK time, for submitting your Acceptd profile – the profile does not require prescreening videos.

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

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.

Course contact details

Accordion Administrator

accordion@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7380

Brass Administrator

brass@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7320

Enquiries

admissions@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7373

Guitar Administrator

guitar@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7380

Harp Administrator

harp@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7380

Historical Performance

historical@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7310

Organ Administrator

organ@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7390

Piano Administrator

keyboard@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7405

Strings Administrator

strings@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7395

Timpani and Percussion Administrator

percussion@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7320

Woodwind Administrator

woodwind@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7320

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NW1 5HT

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