Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies (International Artist Diploma)

Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies (International Artist Diploma) is a postgraduate (master's) course in arts, design & media at Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, United Kingdom. It takes 9 months full time (maximum four students a year), with intakes in Once a year (Stage 1 deadline 31 January 2027; auditions March–April 2027).

Royal Northern College of Music is a public institution. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.

Tuition for international students is £20,600 a year, about ₹25.1 lakh.

2027/28 international fee; scholarships for this programme can cover full tuition

Living costs near the university

Living costs for the UK as a whole: £12,000–18,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

Job roles

• Graphic designer
• Television/film/video producer
• Social media manager
• Multimedia specialist
• UX designer
• Photographer

Employers hiring for these roles worldwide

• WPP
• Heineken
• Disney
• Netflix
• BBC
• Adobe
• Sony
• Meta
• Google
• Universal Music Group

General entry requirements at Royal Northern College of Music for master's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.

• 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.

For this course: IELTS 5.5 (5.0 in exceptional cases).

Need a score? IELTS and PTE coaching is available with us.

This course starts in: Once a year (Stage 1 deadline 31 January 2027; auditions March–April 2027).

1. 1Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
2. 2Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
3. 3Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
4. 4Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
5. 5Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
6. 6Apply for your student visa for the UK, then arrange accommodation.

• 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

• GREAT Scholarship (India)

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

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

  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

• Entrance Scholarships

  All taught programmes

  Value: Varies (one-year awards)

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

  Official page

• Postgraduate and International Bursaries

  Postgraduate

  Value: Varies; normally deducted from tuition fees

  Allocated on need and merit.

  Official page

• International Artist Diploma Scholarships

  Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies and Opera

  Value: Can cover the full cost of tuition

  Applied automatically to successful applicants.

  Official page

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.

Arts, Design & Media courses at other universities in the UK

• MA Animation ProductionArts University BournemouthFull time from September (see the course page for length) · £19,950 / year
• MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer GraphicsArts University BournemouthFull time from September 2027 (see the course page for length) · £22,000 / year
• MA User Experience (UX/UI)Arts University BournemouthFull time or part time from September 2027 (subject to validation) · £19,950 / year
• MA Graphic DesignArts University BournemouthFull time from September 2027 (no September 2026 intake) · £19,950 / year
• Master of Architecture (Part 2 RIBA/ARB)Arts University Bournemouth2 years (full time) · £19,950 / year
• MA Immersive MediaArts University Plymouth1 year full time (2 years part time) · £18,000 / year

More courses at Royal Northern College of Music

• Bachelor of Music with Honours (BMus)4 years full time (3 years with direct entry to Year 2) · £30,700 / year
• Master of Music (MMus), 2 years2 years full time · £33,100 / year
• Master of Music (MMus), 1 year intensive1 year intensive full time (not for Conducting) · £39,100 / year
• Master of Performance (MPerf), 2 years2 years full time · £33,300 / year
• Master of Performance (MPerf), 1 year intensive1 year intensive full time · £40,500 / year
• Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies (PGDip)1 year full time (for MMus holders) · £31,500 / year

We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.

1. Royal Northern College of Music: Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance/Vocal Studies (International Artist Diploma) (opens in a new tab)
2. RNCM: Tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
3. RNCM: About (opens in a new tab)
4. RNCM: Bachelor of Music with Honours (opens in a new tab)
5. RNCM: Master of Music (opens in a new tab)