Royal Northern College of Music

Manchester's Oxford Road is home to the Royal Northern College of Music, a specialist conservatoire situated near the University of Manchester. It was formed in 1972 by merging two institutions: the Royal Manchester College of Music, which Sir Charles Hallé established in 1893, and the Northern School of Music, dating from 1920. In 1973 the college moved into its purpose-built modernist home. It holds degree-awarding powers of its own and belongs to Conservatoires UK.

The RNCM is a compact, performance-focused community of about 900 students drawn from over 60 countries, backed by a sizeable body of specialist teaching staff. Among its venues are a theatre, a concert hall, Studio 8 and a recital room; Studio 8 was the UK's first higher education space to install a Meyer Constellation acoustic system. In its Undergraduate School, the college introduced the UK's first four-year popular music degree, and master's and doctoral awards are available through the Graduate School and the research degree programme. In the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, the college was rated Gold in every aspect, and Junior RNCM gives young musicians between 8 and 18 the chance to train on Saturdays.

Information for International Students

International candidates apply via UCAS Conservatoires by an autumn closing date for entry the following September, and places depend on audition. Those abroad who cannot reach an audition venue can upload a recording via Acceptd, after which some receive an invitation to a live interview online. Auditions are also arranged with appointed agents in overseas locations including India, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.

The four-year BMus (Hons) requires IELTS 5.5, or equivalent, in each component; some other routes set higher levels, and master's requirements depend on the programme. Applicants just below the necessary level may be offered the RNCM Pre-Sessional English Language Course. In-sessional help includes individual tutoring and weekly English classes. Advice on Student visas, fees and life in Manchester comes from the Student Recruitment Team, and a website in Chinese and Chinese-speaking student mentors are also available. Next door, Sir Charles Groves Hall has 612 rooms, permits in-room practice at set hours and automatically holds a room for offer holders whose acceptance arrives by the published date. The Graduate Route may be available to eligible graduates.