Who we are
Founded in 1973 through the merger of the Royal Manchester College of Music and Northern School of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) is continually recognised as one of the world’s most forward-thinking conservatoires.
Home to over 900 students from more than 60 countries, it is dedicated to providing an outstanding education that propels students into careers as inspiring and versatile musicians, fully-equipped for exciting futures both on and off stage.
Exceptional Education
Alongside the pioneering Bachelor of Music with Honours, the RNCM Undergraduate School includes the ground-breaking Bachelor of Music with Honours in Popular Music (the UK’s first four-year degree in this subject) and the Graduate Diploma of the RNCM (a specialised programme for busy performers and intelligent musical thinkers run in partnership with The University of Manchester).
Revalidated in 2021, these programmes offer flexibility to create bespoke packages that fully support future career aspirations. They also complement the RNCM Graduate School, which provides a stimulating environment for advanced studies in performance (including conducting), composition, musicology, music psychology, and music education.
Additionally, the College is home to Junior RNCM, a vibrant community of gifted young musicians aged eight to 18. Each Saturday during term time, they study with exceptional tutors, perform with like-minded people, learn transferrable skills for life, and create a solid platform for further study at a conservatoire or university.
Performance and Professional Opportunities
Housing a fully-equipped Theatre and Concert Hall, the RNCM is one of the UK’s business live music venues.
Throughout their studies, students have unparalleled opportunities to perform to public audiences and to work alongside professional musicians and visiting artists. Performance includes everything from large orchestral projects and cross-school collaborations to full-scale opera productions, intimate chamber concerts, solo recitals, and student-led initiatives.
A whole strand of the RNCM undergraduate offer is also dedicated to artist development, helping students to market and promote themselves, develop and deliver independent projects, and manage their finances. All BMus (Hons) students undertake an industry placement during their time at the College, and Popular Music undergraduates complete a module on Professional Engagement, allowing them to work as freelance musicians or gain industry experience as part of their degree.
Worldwide Partnerships
The RNCM has worked hard to forge strong relationships and unique networks with orchestras, ensembles, and organisations worldwide.
As leaders of the innovative International Benchmarking Group and Interplay network and the only UK member of the European Chamber Music Academy, the College strives to enhance the professional and personal development of young musicians through exceptional collaboration and real-world experience.
Recent Awards and Funding Success
In 2017 the RNCM was rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and has been the UK’s leading music college for research since 2014. It’s world-class reputation is further enhanced by multiple awards and through the success of significant externally funded projects.