With a diverse student body of 900 from 60+ countries, our institution is committed to offering exceptional education preparing students for successful careers as accomplished musicians, ready for dynamic opportunities in various musical spheres, be it performing or beyond.
Introducing the groundbreaking Honours Bachelor of Music program.RNCM Undergraduate SchoolThe institution offers innovative programs such as the Bachelor of Music with Honours in Popular Music, the first four-year degree of its kind in the UK. Additionally, there is the Graduate Diploma of the RNCM, a specialized program designed for performing artists and music scholars, delivered in collaboration with The University of Manchester.
Revised in 2021, these programs provide flexibility to tailor packages that align with your career goals. They also enhance and support your future aspirations.RNCM Graduate SchoolThe institution offers a vibrant setting for advanced studies in performance (including conducting), composition, musicology, music psychology, and music education.
Additionally, the College is home to Junior RNCMA dynamic group of talented young musicians, aged eight to 18, come together in a thriving community. Every Saturday, under the guidance of exceptional mentors, they hone their craft, collaborate with peers, acquire valuable life skills, and establish a strong foundation for future studies at a conservatory or university.
Home to a fully equipped Theatre and Concert Hall, the RNCM stands out as one of the most vibrant live music venues in the UK.
Throughout their studies, students have unparalleled opportunitiesEngage with diverse audiences, collaborate with seasoned musicians and guest artists. Our performances range from grand orchestral projects to cross-disciplinary partnerships, opera shows, chamber music events, solo recitals, and student-driven projects.
A significant part of the RNCM undergraduate program focuses on nurturing artists by providing guidance on self-promotion, project management, and financial planning. Industry placements are mandatory for all BMus (Hons) students, offering valuable real-world experience. Popular Music undergraduates also benefit from a specialized module on Professional Engagement, equipping them with the skills to work independently as musicians or gain practical industry insights alongside their academic pursuits.
The Royal Northern College of Music has diligently cultivated robust partnerships and exclusive connections with orchestras, ensembles, and institutions globally.
As leaders of the innovative International Benchmarking Group and Interplay network and the only UK member of the European Chamber Music Academy, the College strives to enhance the professional and personal development of young musicians through exceptional collaboration and real-world experience.
In 2023 the RNCM was rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework Internationally acknowledged as a top music conservatory in the UK for research, it has earned prestigious awards and excelled in externally funded projects, solidifying its world-renowned status. This institution is a beacon of excellence in the field.
Winner of MEN Theatre Award in 1990, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2005, and 2015.
NFMS/Sir Charles Grove Prize: 1996
Queen’s Anniversary Prize: 1998, 2000, 2002
Recipient of Classic FM's Red Award (UK's Top Conservatory) in 2002.
Recipient of the South Bank Show Award for Classical Music in 2007 (in collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé Orchestra).
Times Higher Education Award: Excellence and Innovation in the Arts (2015)
Times Higher Education Award: Outstanding International Student Strategy (2016)
Times Higher Education Award: Year's Best Outreach and Inclusion Program (2020)
Times Higher Education Award: Technological and Digital Innovation of the Year (2022)
Times Higher Education Award: Entrepreneurial University of the Year (2023)
Distinguished for Education Links in Greater China Award (highly commended, 2018).
Greater China Award: Education Links (2021)
Global Teaching Excellence Spotlight Award (2018)
Silver Heist Award (2020, 2022)
Highly Commended Heist Award (2022)
Ensemble+ (2017)
Received a substantial £1.05 million grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England's Catalyst Fund to launch a groundbreaking digital initiative connecting the College with music departments at universities and professional collaborators throughout England.
PRiSM (2019)
Granted £914,000 from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England Fund (E3), the RNCM's PRiSM center receives support for its innovative interdisciplinary research in Science & Music.
StART Entrepreneurship (2020)
Granted more than £900,000 by the Office for Students and Research England, we are partnering with the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and University of the Arts London on a collaborative entrepreneurial initiative. This project aims to enhance the career growth of students in the creative arts field.
Studio 8 (2021):
The first Meyer Constellation system in UK higher education was established with the support of the Catalyst Fund from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Office for Students, alongside the generous contribution of the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Decarbonisation (2021)
Granted £3.4 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and supported by Salix, a significant achievement.