2022-23 Undergraduate Applicants' Guide
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS’ GUIDE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 1 WELCOME 02 Welcome 04 Why study at a conservatoire? Thank you for your interest in the Royal College of Music. 06 What is a BMus(Hons) degree? We have written this guide to help you with the next steps 11 Useful dates in applying to study here, and to direct you to other useful Understanding application vocabulary information you may need. 12 14 Things you should know about the RCM 18 Before you apply 22 Applying 24 Auditions 26 Next steps checklist 27 How to keep in touch Top institution for performing arts in the UK for six consecutive years QS World University Rankings 2016–2021 2 UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS’ GUIDE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 3 WHY STUDY AT A CONSERVATOIRE? At a conservatoire you can study performance and composition programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Your principal study is at the heart of your The RCM’s BMus(Hons) qualification is a fully learning experience, and informs the structure accredited and internationally recognised of your programme. You will receive one-to- undergraduate degree. It is designed to be one lessons throughout the year along with a flexible, enabling you to shape your studies variety of performance opportunities. around your own skills and interests. Successful applicants will usually have achieved There is a strong emphasis on independent a high standard in performance or composition learning and we believe that the more you put at the time of assessment. into your studies at the Royal College of Music, the more you will get out of your time here. Our Bachelor of Music BMus(Hons) programme There are plenty of opportunities to make the blends tradition, creativity and innovation. It most of your time studying, such as taking part focuses on performance training or composition in projects, attending masterclasses and using alongside modules in contextual subjects and our wonderful resources and facilities. professional skills. 4 UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS’ GUIDE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 5 WHAT IS A Of the RCM alumni who graduated in 2018, 94% of survey respondents were BMUS(HONS) DEGREE? employed or engaged in further study 15 months after graduating. The BMus(Hons) is a four-year undergraduate degree Higher Education Statistics Agency Survey (2020) designed to give you a high level of performance or composition training, alongside studies relevant to your aspirations as a musician. Teaching at the Royal College of Music is made globe and our graduates go on to work in a wide up of one-to-one tuition, performance classes, range of careers at some of the most prestigious workshops, masterclasses, lessons from visiting ensembles, venues, educational institutions and professors, ensemble activities, seminars and opera companies in the world. lectures, including online learning and teaching. One of the most common career paths for our Our world-class professors offer students not graduates is to be a self-employed musician, only first-rate teaching, but also mentorship and which usually includes performing and teaching networking opportunities. on a freelance basis. Graduates also work as Alongside your principal study, the first two years of orchestral musicians, musicians in the armed forces, the programme have core modules in aural, history, composers, conductors, music administrators and musicianship and professional skills, including librarians, to name a few. health and wellbeing for musicians, and career Graduates who decide to progress to further study management. Years three and four are designed do so both in London and abroad, with around half to be flexible so that you can tailor your studies to deciding to return to the RCM. The most popular meet your own interests and aspirations. Throughout courses are Master of Music (MMus), Master of your studies you will develop your skills further in Performance (MPerf) and Master of Composition ensemble and solo performance, and develop an (MComp). RCM graduates also go on to study for understanding of music in different contexts. other postgraduate courses and qualifications, as Modules on offer currently include Conducting, well as conducting their own private study. Musician in the Digital Age, Innovation and In addition to the career management and Enterprise, Psychology of Performance, Sound professional elements of the course, our Creative Recording and Production, Music and Words, Careers Centre offers bespoke advice and Alexander Technique, Instrumental and Vocal guidance throughout your studies and for five years Teaching, Orchestration and Arrangement and after graduating. It offers resources, workshops many others. You can find a full list of modules on and presentations by industry specialists, plus a our website at www.rcm.ac.uk/courses broad range of professional opportunities including WHAT CAN I DO WITH A performances and teaching work. For orchestral BMUS(HONS) QUALIFICATION? musicians we also provide side-by-side ‘sit-in’ schemes with several major orchestras. For many Our priority is supporting you to reach your full students, the Creative Careers Centre helps pave potential as a musician, ensuring you have the the way to a successful lifelong career in music. resources you need to succeed in the profession of your choice. Your studies here will allow you to follow a diverse array of career paths. RCM students and graduates enjoy success in major competitions around the FIND OUT MORE www.rcm.ac.uk/creativecareers 6 UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS’ GUIDE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 7 MY AUDITION EXPERIENCE AT THE RCM WAS GREAT. THE STAFF ON MY AUDITION PANELS WERE EXTREMELY WELCOMING. RIANNA HENRIQUES Bachelor of Music (Hons) I have always wanted to study music and had been set on the Royal College of Music as music performance really stood out to me. Attending the RCM’s Junior Department for four years really helped me to confirm my decision that the RCM was the place for me. My audition experience at the RCM was great. The staff on my audition panels were extremely welcoming. 8 UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS’ GUIDE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 9 USEFUL DATES The deadlines for applying to study at a conservatoire are slightly earlier than those for universities. Below is a table of the main dates you should be aware of when applying to the Royal College of Music. DATES 15 July 2021 Applications open on UCAS Conservatoires 1 October 2021 Application deadline for candidates auditioning in London or by video 1 October 2021 Application and portfolio submission deadline for composers 29 October 2021 Video audition submission deadline Mid November – Auditions in London mid December 2021 December 2021 Audition results published for London audition and video audition candidates 1 February 2022 Deadline for responding to offers received by 3 January 2022 As well as our London auditions, the Royal College of Music regularly holds auditions in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai. The latest information on audition venues can be found at www.rcm.ac.uk/auditionlocations *Audition dates and venues correct at time of publication but may be subject to change due to latest guidance on the coronavirus outbreak. FIND OUT MORE See www.rcm.ac.uk/auditions for latest information. www.rcm.ac.uk/apply 10 UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS’ GUIDE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC 11 UNCONDITIONAL OFFER LIVING COSTS UNDERSTANDING An unconditional offer means you are Your living costs will cover your accommodation, guaranteed a place on the course, as you have travel, food and lifestyle whilst studying. We APPLICATION already met the entry requirements. cannot say exactly how much money you will need while studying at the RCM, as different CONDITIONAL OFFER students have different needs, preferences and VOCABULARY If you receive a conditional offer it means that lifestyles. We have broken down the indicative we are guaranteed to accept you if you meet all living costs you may need to budget for at of the entry requirements. For example, you will www.rcm.ac.uk/livingcosts receive a conditional offer if you are waiting for SCHOLARSHIPS UCAS CONSERVATOIRES PRINCIPAL STUDY your A Level results. UCAS Conservatoires is the application service Your principal study is the main specialism that Any student who auditions in person or by video for courses at conservatoires in the UK, through you will pursue during your course, such as TUITION FEES for a place on a performance or composition which you apply for the RCM’s BMus(Hons) violin or composition. Students may want to programme beginning in September 2022 will All students of UK Higher Education institutions course. It is part of UCAS, which is used for take up an additional related or second study automatically be considered for a scholarship are required to make a payment to their institution most Higher Education applications in the UK. alongside their principal study, but this is not or study award. Scholarships are offered on to cover the cost of their studies. Studying at a a requirement. the merits of your performance at audition or You can use UCAS Conservatoires Track to world-class conservatoire can be expensive, follow the stages of your application, find interview. Scholarship amounts vary from student JOINT PRINCIPAL STUDY but we provide financial support to our most out when your audition is, see your results talented students through an array of awards and to student, from a contribution towards your tuition a n d c o n fi r m y o u r d e c i s i o n . F i n d o u t m o r e a t Students with an equally high level of ability scholarships. For up-to-date information on fees fees right up to full fees. For more information www.ucas.com/conservatoires in two areas may undertake joint principal and funding see www.rcm.ac.uk/fees please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/scholarships study, in which their two specialisms are ENTRY REQUIREMENTS taught and assessed with equal weight.