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Campus of Royal Northern College of Music
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Royal Northern College of Music

Manchester, United Kingdom · Public · Est. 1973

Updated 28 Oct 2026

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Established

1973

Type

Public

Location

Manchester, United Kingdom

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0

About the university

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) was established in 1973 by merging two Manchester music colleges. It has more than 950 students on one site at 124 Oxford Road in Manchester. The RNCM says it is ranked in the top 10 for music in the QS rankings, and it holds a Gold rating in all areas of the Teaching Excellence Framework.

For Indian students the RNCM is a slightly cheaper alternative to the London conservatoires. International fees for 2027/28 are £30,700 a year for the BMus, £33,100 a year for the two-year MMus and £39,100 for the one-year intensive MMus. Entry is by audition, which can be taken at overseas locations during the year, and one GREAT Scholarship is reserved for a postgraduate student from India.

Founded
1973, from the merger of the Royal Manchester College of Music and the Northern School of Music
Type
Public music conservatoire
Students
950+ musicians
Campus
124 Oxford Road, Manchester, with three major performance spaces on site
Applications
Through UCAS Conservatoires and Acceptd; most open in July, deadline 1 October 2026 for 2027 entry (late applications considered for most courses)
Teaching quality
Gold in all areas of the Teaching Excellence Framework (RNCM About page)

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 9 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (GBP)Approx. in rupees
    Bachelor of Music with Honours (BMus)4 years full time (3 years with direct entry to Year 2)£30,700≈ ₹37.5 lakh
    Master of Music (MMus), 2 years2 years full time£33,100≈ ₹40.4 lakh
    Master of Music (MMus), 1 year intensive1 year intensive full time (not for Conducting)£39,100≈ ₹47.7 lakh
    Master of Performance (MPerf), 2 years2 years full time£33,300≈ ₹40.6 lakh
    Master of Performance (MPerf), 1 year intensive1 year intensive full time£40,500≈ ₹49.4 lakh
    Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies (PGDip)1 year full time (for MMus holders)£31,500≈ ₹38.4 lakh
    Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies (International Artist Diploma)9 months full time (maximum four students a year)£20,600≈ ₹25.1 lakh
    Master of Education (MEd), full time1–2 years£31,500≈ ₹38.4 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Royal Northern College of Music with similar universities in the UK.

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    Scholarships

    • MMus (Intensive), MPerf (Intensive) or PGDip Advanced Studies

      GREAT Scholarship (India)

      Value: British Council GREAT awards are a minimum of £10,000 for one-year study

      Eligibility: One of three RNCM postgraduate GREAT Scholarships is for India. Applicants must be permanent residents and passport holders of India, apply through UCAS Conservatoires and audition.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • All taught programmes

      Entrance Scholarships

      Value: Varies (one-year awards)

      Eligibility: For outstanding ability and potential at audition. Everyone is considered automatically.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • Postgraduate

      Postgraduate and International Bursaries

      Value: Varies; normally deducted from tuition fees

      Eligibility: Allocated on need and merit.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies and Opera

      International Artist Diploma Scholarships

      Value: Can cover the full cost of tuition

      Eligibility: Applied automatically to successful applicants.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)

    Admission requirements

    Undergraduate

    • Every applicant must pass an RNCM audition in the year before entry (at least ABRSM Grade 8 standard for the 4-year BMus).
    • The 4-year BMus asks for two A levels at grade E or above, normally including music, or international equivalents; applicants must be 18 by 31 December of the year of entry.
    • Apply through UCAS Conservatoires by 1 October 2026 for 2027 entry.

    Postgraduate

    • MMus entrants need a good degree or equivalent, normally in music, and a successful audition.
    • MPerf entrants need a good degree (not necessarily in music) and an advanced standard in their main discipline.
    • The PGDip Advanced Studies is for students who already hold an MMus or equivalent.

    Documents

    • UCAS Conservatoires application and Acceptd audition booking
    • Valid passport
    • Academic certificates and transcripts
    • Audition (at the RNCM, at an overseas location or as the programme allows)
    • English test result, unless exempt
    • Proof of funds for fees and living costs for the Student visa

    Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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    English language requirements

    English requirements
    Test or routeTypical requirement
    IELTS Academic5.5 in each component for BMus (4 years), MPerf and BA Inclusive Music Education; 6.0 with 5.5 in each component for MMus and PGDip; IELTS Online not accepted
    PTE Academic59+ is equivalent to IELTS 5.5 to 6.5; 76+ equals IELTS 7.0. PTE Home not accepted
    Trinity ISEISE II (B2) pass for IELTS 5.5–6.0 programmes; ISE III (C1) for 7.0
    Cambridge EnglishB2 First or C1 Advanced (162–168 equals IELTS 5.5)
    Not listedTOEFL and Duolingo are not on the accepted list; email Admissions about other certificates

    Accommodation and living costs

    Sir Charles Groves Hall, managed by Unite Students, is right next door to the RNCM and has 612 rooms. Standard rooms are en suite in flats of four, with internet, a study space, practice hours from 9am to 9pm and contents insurance. Rooms are reserved for offer holders who accept by the published date; after that they go on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Accommodation and living costs
    ItemIn GBPApprox. in rupees
    Standard en suite room, Sir Charles Groves Hall (42-week let)2026/27 price£221per week≈ ₹26,971

    Campus and location

    The RNCM sits at 124 Oxford Road, on Manchester's Oxford Road Corridor, with its main hall of residence next door.

    • Three major performance spaces on site.
    • Student hall next door, with practice rooms and a loan piano for pianists on request.
    • Overseas auditions in select locations through the year, run in English and matching the process at the RNCM.
    • Over £3 million a year in scholarships and bursaries across all students.

    Careers and graduate outcomes

    The RNCM trains performers, composers, teachers and music industry professionals. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the current rules.

    Graduate outcomes
    WhatFigureSource

    Studying in the UK

    Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:

    Other universities in the UK

    Compare all universities in the UK

    FAQs

    How much does the RNCM cost for Indian students?

    For 2027/28 the international fee is £30,700 a year for the BMus, £33,100 a year for the two-year MMus and £39,100 for the one-year intensive MMus. A slightly higher rate, labelled SVSO and SCOND in the fee table, applies on some programmes.

    Is there a scholarship for Indian students?

    Yes. One of the RNCM's three GREAT Scholarships is for a postgraduate student from India on the intensive MMus, intensive MPerf or PGDip Advanced Studies. Everyone who auditions is also considered for entrance scholarships.

    Does the RNCM accept TOEFL?

    TOEFL is not on the RNCM's accepted list. It accepts IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, Trinity ISE and Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced.

    Where will I live?

    Most new students live in Sir Charles Groves Hall next door. A standard en suite room was £221.07 a week on a 42-week let in 2026/27.

    Sources

    1. RNCM: Tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
    2. RNCM: About (opens in a new tab)
    3. RNCM: Bachelor of Music with Honours (opens in a new tab)
    4. RNCM: Master of Music (opens in a new tab)
    5. RNCM: International students (opens in a new tab)
    6. RNCM: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
    7. RNCM: Scholarships and bursaries (opens in a new tab)
    8. RNCM: Accommodation (opens in a new tab)

    Official website: www.rncm.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)

    Check the latest details

    We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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