Entrance Requirements
Before you apply, it’s important that you understand the necessary entrance requirements for your course.
Our key courses are outlined below, but if you’re unsure of anything please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Bachelor of Music with Honours - 4/3 Years
Entrance requirements (4 years):
- All applicants must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year of entry.
- All applicants must have passes at GCE A level (A2) in a minimum of two subjects at grade E or above, normally including music, and passes in three different subjects at GCSE level (grades A*-C/9-4) or acceptable equivalent.
- UK and Overseas applicants with alternative qualifications should contact our Admissions Team.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must have IELTS 5.5 or equivalent in each and every component (or CEFR B2).
- All applicants must pass an RNCM audition in the year prior to entry, demonstrating a high standard of performance (or composition ability for composers) and potential, of at least ABRSM Grade 8 standard.
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Entrance requirements (Direct Entry into Year 2):
Applicants for the three-year pathway should apply for the standard four-year BMus (Hons) on UCAS Conservatoires.
- All applicants must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year of entry.
- All applicants must have passes at GCE A level (or equivalent) in at least three different subjects, normally including music, at grades AAB.
- UK and Overseas candidates with alternative qualifications should contact our Admissions Team.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must have IELTS 7.0 or equivalent in each and every component (or CEFR C1).
- All applicants must pass a HE Level 4 diploma in music performance (such as DipABRSM or ATCL). This must be achieved by 30 April prior to September entry. Diplomas will be assessed as to suitability for credit transfer and must contain elements that reflect Year 1 of the programme. Performance-only diplomas with no musicology or musicianship elements, such as detailed programme notes and viva, will not be eligible for credit transfer.
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Bachelor of Music with Honours in Popular Music
Entrance requirements:
- All applicants must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year of entry.
- All applicants must pass an RNCM audition in the year prior to entry, demonstrating a high standard of performing ability, equivalent to ABRSM, Rockschool or Trinity Grade 8.
- All applicants must have a level of theoretical ability equivalent to ABRSM Grade 5 theory.
- All applicants must achieve 2 A levels, Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner qualification, or BTEC National Diploma in a music related subject, or international equivalent.
- All applicants must achieve 4 passes (A*- C) at GCSE including Maths and English.
- UK and Overseas candidates with alternative and/or equivalent qualifications to the above, should contact our Admissions Team.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must obtain an IELTS score of 5.5 (or CEFR B2) in all components.
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Graduate Diploma of the RNCM (GRNCM)
Entrance requirements:
- All applicants must be at least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year of entry.
- All applicants must achieve AAA or above at GCE A level (A2), normally including music, and passes in three different subjects at GCSE level (grades A*-C/9-4) or acceptable equivalent.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must have IELTS 7.0 or equivalent with no component lower than 6.5.
- All applicants must pass an RNCM audition in the year prior to entry, demonstrating a high standard of performance (or composition ability for composers) and potential, of at least ABRSM Grade 8 standard.
- All shortlisted applicants must pass a University of Manchester interview in the year prior to entry, demonstrating academic suitability to the course.
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Master of Music
Entrance requirements:
- All applicants must pass an RNCM audition and hold a good degree or equivalent (normally in Music: FHEQ Level 6). Candidates must be able to satisfy the College that they have already achieved an advanced standard in their main discipline area and have the potential to develop further towards a professional level of attainment.
- Candidates whose first language is not English must meet the English language requirements for this course. These are IELTS 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each component (or equivalent as defined by UKVI). Some options within the course may require IELTS 6.5 or 7.0.
- All applicants are required to submit an academic transcript of undergraduate studies achieved to date and an example of prior written work demonstrating academic referencing in electronic format (e.g. Word document, PDF). The work will be assessed by academic staff members using the following Marking Guidelines for Written Work. Examples of prior written work must:
- Be in history or analysis of music (if you have not written an essay on music in your undergraduate degree, an example of writing, with referencing, on another topic, will be acceptable.)
- Written in English
- Total no more than 1000 words (a section drawn from a larger essay is acceptable)
- Be original, by the applicant (a plagiarism test will be conducted.)
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Master of Performance
Entrance requirements:
- All MPerf entrants must pass an RNCM audition and normally hold a good degree or equivalent (or be of equivalent professional standing). This qualification need not be in music, but all candidates must be able to satisfy the College that they have already achieved an advanced standard in their main discipline area, and have the potential to develop further towards a professional level of attainment.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must have IELTS 5.5 or equivalent in each and every component (or CEFR B2).
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Master of Education
Entrance requirements:
- All MEd entrants must pass an RNCM interview and hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (FHEQ Level 6), normally in music. If their qualification is not in music, they will need to satisfy the RNCM, at interview, that they have the necessary musical background and demonstrate potential to successfully complete the programme.
- All applicants must submit a five-minute recording of their teaching, taken from a larger activity, lesson or rehearsal, and permission forms for everyone in the recording (a permission form template will be provided by the RNCM Admissions Team upon receipt of UCAS application). If it is not possible to submit a video or gain consent, applicants should submit an alternative piece of evidence that highlights their good pedagogical practise, such as a set of lesson plans or a musical resource they have created.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must have IELTS 6.5 or equivalent in each and every component.
- All applicants are required to submit an example of prior written work demonstrating academic referencing in electronic format (e.g. Word document, PDF). The work will be assessed by academic staff members using the following Marking Guidelines for Written Work. Examples of prior written work must:
- Be in history or analysis of music (if you have not written an essay on music in your undergraduate degree, an example of writing, with referencing, on another topic, will be acceptable.)
- Written in English
- Total no more than 1000 words (a section drawn from a larger essay is acceptable)
- Be original, by the applicant (a plagiarism test will be conducted.)
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies
Entrance requirements:
- All PGDip applicants must hold an MMus or equivalent.
- Candidates whose first language is not English must meet the English language requirements for this course. These are IELTS 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each component (or equivalent as defined by UKVI).
- UK applicants may be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to participate in some professional placement modules within this course. Applicants from countries other than the UK, or UK residents who have spent six months or more in any non-UK country within five years of the course start date must additionally provide a police certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.
Research Degrees (PhD)
To find out more information about Research Degrees, see our Research Degrees page.
