Royal College of Music

The Royal College of Music (RCM) is a public conservatoire located in South Kensington, London. Established in 1882 by royal charter, the college offers training in Western classical music at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. It specialises in performance, composition, conducting, music theory, and history. The RCM is one of the world’s leading music institutions and has trained many prominent musicians, composers, conductors, and singers.

The college has around 970 students from over 50 countries. Its professors include musicians with international reputations, and the institution regularly hosts renowned visitors such as Lang Lang and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. The RCM operates several performing groups, including orchestras, jazz bands, and an opera studio, which perform in notable venues both in the UK and abroad.
 

The RCM is located opposite the Royal Albert Hall, near other cultural institutions. Its main building was constructed in the 1890s and has since undergone significant redevelopment, including a recent £40 million project that expanded its facilities. Key performance spaces include the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, the Britten Theatre, and smaller recital rooms. The college also features Prince Consort Village, a hall of residence for more than 400 students.
 

The RCM Museum holds over 14,000 items related to music history, including early instruments, manuscripts by famous composers, portraits, and concert programmes. The museum recently underwent a major redevelopment supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
 

Since its founding, the RCM has maintained close ties with the British royal family. The current patron is King Charles III. The college operates as a registered charity and follows a governance structure that supports quality education, equality, and sustainability.

The college offers a junior department for young students and partners with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore for joint degree programmes. Its curriculum aims to develop skilled musicians prepared for international careers. The RCM continues to play a significant role in advancing music education and performance.

The Royal College of Music (RCM) was founded in 1882, following the closure of the National Training School of Music (NTSM), which had operated from 1876 but failed to meet expectations. The NTSM was originally proposed by the Prince Consort to provide professional musical training in London, as the existing Royal Academy of Music was not adequately preparing orchestral players. Arthur Sullivan served as the first principal of the NTSM, but under his leadership, the school struggled and was considered ineffective.
 

In 1881, a group of examiners, including Charles Hallé and Sir Julius Benedict assessed the NTSM and found it lacked cohesion. Following this, with support from the Prince of Wales and key figures such as George Grove, a new institution was planned. The Royal College of Music opened in May 1883 on the same premises previously occupied by the NTSM. Grove became its first director and aimed to create a strong college orchestra to benefit students of both performance and composition. The first intake included 50 scholars and 42 fee-paying students, many studying orchestral instruments.

The college quickly appointed distinguished professors, including Jenny Lind for singing and Hubert Parry for composition. As the original building was too small, a new building was commissioned on Prince Consort Road in South Kensington. Designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield, it opened in 1894, funded largely by donations from Samson Fox. Grove retired that year and was succeeded by Hubert Parry as director.
 

Throughout the 20th century, the RCM saw a succession of directors, including Sir Hugh Allen, Sir George Dyson, Sir Ernest Bullock, and Sir David Willcocks, each contributing to the college’s growth. The college maintained close ties with the British royal family; Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was president for 40 years, and since 1993, King Charles III has served as president.
 

The RCM’s teaching staff has included many well-known musicians, and it has produced numerous notable alumni such as Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. In recent decades, the college has expanded its facilities and curriculum. Prince Consort Village, opened in 2016, offers accommodation with practice rooms for students. The estate underwent a £40 million redevelopment completed in 2021, adding new performance spaces equipped with modern technologies.
 

The RCM Museum holds an extensive collection of musical instruments, manuscripts, and portraits, documenting over five centuries of music history. The museum was redeveloped in 2020-21 with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Today, the Royal College of Music remains one of the world’s leading conservatoires. It offers courses from undergraduate to doctoral levels and partners with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. The college continues its mission to train professional musicians for international careers while upholding its founding principles of access, excellence, and advocacy. Its current director, James Williams, began his tenure in 2024. The RCM is a registered charity and a member of Conservatoires UK and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

The Royal College of Music (RCM) offers a wide range of courses designed to develop professional musicians in various aspects of Western classical music. The programmes cover undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Students can study performance, composition, conducting, music theory, and music history. The college also offers specialised training in areas such as opera, jazz, and early music.
 

At the undergraduate level, students can pursue Bachelor of Music (BMus) degrees, which provide thorough training in individual instruments or voice, composition, or conducting. These courses focus on technical skill, musical understanding, and performance experience. Students participate in individual lessons, ensemble playing, and large orchestras, as well as music theory and academic study. The BMus courses also include opportunities to engage in public performances and masterclasses.
 

Postgraduate courses include Master of Performance (MP), Master of Composition (MC), Master of Music (MMus), and Artist Diploma programmes. These are designed for musicians seeking advanced professional training and specialisation. Postgraduate students receive one-to-one tuition from internationally recognised professors, alongside chances to perform in high-profile concerts and festivals. The Artist Diploma is a highly selective programme focusing on developing solo performers of the highest level.
 

The RCM also offers doctoral studies (PhD and DMus) for research in performance practice, musicology, and composition. These courses combine academic study with performance work and allow students to contribute original research to their fields.
 

In addition to degree courses, the RCM runs a Junior Department for young musicians aged 8 to 18. This programme offers Saturday classes and individual lessons to talented children preparing for advanced musical training.
 

The college also provides specialised courses and partnerships. For example, since 2011, RCM has collaborated with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore to offer jointly conferred undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. This allows students in Singapore to benefit from RCM teaching and qualifications.

Beyond performance and composition, the curriculum includes music theory, analysis, conducting, and music technology. Students can also study early music and historical performance techniques. The college offers comprehensive support for career development, including workshops, networking opportunities, and advice on professional skills.
 

Facilities such as practice rooms, concert halls, and recording studios support the learning experience. The Prince Consort Village provides accommodation with soundproofed practice spaces, helping students focus on their studies.

• Ranked No. 1 globally for Music and Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
• Placed No. 1 in Music by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
• Recognised as one of the world’s leading conservatoires for classical music training.
• Consistently ranked among the top institutions for music education and performance worldwide.

According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 100% of RCM alumni who graduated in 2016/17 and responded to the survey reported being in employment or further study six months after graduation. This achievement was noted as one of the highest in the UK for that year. The RCM's Creative Careers Centre plays a significant role in supporting students' transitions into the professional music industry. It offers a range of services, including performance opportunities, paid work, professional networking, and career advice.

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