Royal Academy of Music

Royal Academy of Music is the oldest conservatory in the United Kingdom, founded in 1822 in London. It is a member institution of the University of London and ranks #2 globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for Performing Arts. The academy enrolls approximately 790 students from over 50 countries with a 10% acceptance rate.

This video from the Royal Academy of Music YouTube channel features the Academy Jazz Orchestra performing with guitarist Dave Okumu, giving a sense of the performance opportunities available to students:

Programs and Degrees

The academy offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across more than 20 musical disciplines:

• Bachelor of Music (BMus Hons): Four-year degree with specializations in performance, composition, and jazz. Combines Principal Study (individual lessons, masterclasses, chamber music), Artist Development (recording, marketing, arts management), and Academic Study (aural, analysis, history)
• BMus Composition: Four-year degree focused on contemporary classical, jazz, and experimental composition
• BMus Jazz: Four-year degree tailored for jazz performers and composers
• Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Music (MMus): One- and two-year postgraduate programs in performance, composition, conducting, and musical theatre
• Doctoral programs (MPhil/PhD): Research-based degrees in performance practice, composition, and musicology
• Organ Foundation: One-year gap-year course for students preparing for Oxford or Cambridge organ scholarships
• Foundation Year: Fully funded one-year program supporting state-educated musicians

The academy also offers the LRAM teaching licence, available to third- and fourth-year BMus students, qualifying them as instrumental or vocal teachers.

Departments

The academy's departments cover a wide range of instruments and disciplines:

• Academic Studies, Accordion, Brass, Choral Conducting
• Composition and Contemporary Music, Conducting
• Ensemble Piano, Guitar, Harp, Historical Performance
• Jazz (the academy's jazz program is among the strongest in the UK)
• Musical Theatre, Organ, Percussion, Piano
• Strings, Vocal Studies (including opera and musical theatre)
• Woodwind

Tuition and Costs

Tuition fees for the Royal Academy of Music vary by program and student status:

• UK undergraduate students: $12,500 USD per year (approximately 9,250 GBP, standard UK university rate)
• International undergraduate students: Approximately $35,000 to $40,000 USD per year (around 27,000 to 30,000 GBP)
• Postgraduate programs: Vary by program length and specialization, typically $25,000 to $40,000 USD per year for international students
• Living costs in London: Estimated $1,500 to $2,500 USD per month for accommodation, food, and transportation

The academy offers scholarships and bursaries to minimize financial barriers, from the initial application stage through to tuition. The Sir Elton John Global Exchange programme provides funding for student exchanges with institutions including Juilliard and the Paris Conservatoire.

Notable Alumni

The academy's alumni include some of the most recognized names in music:

• Elton John: Attended the academy in 1958 on a scholarship at age 11. He studied there for five years before leaving to pursue a career in popular music. He has sold over 300 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Here he performs "Border Song" on the BBC In Concert series in 1970, early in his solo career:

• Annie Lennox: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, known for her work with Eurythmics and solo career. She studied at the academy on a flute scholarship in the 1970s. Here she performs "Sweet Dreams" at Live 8 in London's Hyde Park in 2005:

• Bill Bailey: Comedian, musician, and television presenter
• Sir Simon Rattle: Conductor, former music director of the Berlin Philharmonic (2002 to 2018). He studied at the academy in the 1970s. Here he conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker in Mozart's Symphony No. 40:

• Dame Evelyn Glennie: Solo percussionist, the first full-time solo percussionist in the world

The academy was awarded Gold by the Office for Students in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, recognizing its outstanding teaching quality and graduate employability.

Campus and Facilities

The academy's historic main building backs onto Regent's Park in central London. Facilities include:

• The Sir Jack Lyvyns Theatre and a 400-seat concert hall
• The Angela Burgess Recital Hall
• Professional recording studios
• A library holding over 160,000 items, including manuscripts and rare recordings
• An opera theatre added in 1976

The academy's location in central London gives students access to the city's professional music scene, including orchestras, opera houses, recording studios, and West End theatres.

Admission Process

Admission is highly competitive with approximately a 10% acceptance rate. The process requires:

1. Application: Submitted through UCAS Conservatoires for undergraduate programs, or directly for postgraduate programs. The UCAS Conservatoires institution code is R53. Application deadlines typically fall in early October for undergraduate programs and in January for postgraduate programs.
2. Audition: Live or recorded audition on the applicant's principal instrument or voice. Audition requirements vary by department but generally include:
   • A prepared program of works from different style periods (typically 15 to 20 minutes)
   • Sight-reading
   • A short interview with the audition panel
   • For jazz applicants: improvisation over a chord progression and a blues standard
   • For vocal applicants: pieces in at least two languages
3. Interview: Discussion of musical interests, goals, and background
4. Academic requirements: BMus applicants need standard university entry qualifications (typically A-levels or equivalent). International students must demonstrate English proficiency through IELTS (minimum 5.5 for BMus, 7.0 for postgraduate) or TOEFL

Tuition fees (2026-2027):

• UK undergraduate students: approximately 9,250 GBP per year (standard UK university rate)
• International undergraduate students: approximately 27,000 to 30,000 GBP per year
• Postgraduate programs: vary by program length and specialization, typically 25,000 to 40,000 GBP per year for international students

The academy offers over 200 scholarships and bursaries. The Sir Elton John Global Exchange programme provides funding for student exchanges with institutions including Juilliard and the Paris Conservatoire.

Discovery Events are held during the autumn term for prospective students to learn about specific departments and programs. Over 75% of the academy's public concerts and events are free to attend.

Who Should Apply

The Royal Academy of Music is suited for musicians seeking world-class training in classical performance, jazz, composition, musical theatre, or conducting. The University of London degree adds academic credibility. The academy's location in London provides direct access to the professional music industry, but living costs are high. The approximately 10% acceptance rate means applicants should have strong technical proficiency and artistic maturity before applying. The academy is less suited for students seeking contemporary commercial music production or music business degrees (consider Berklee or other institutions for those paths).

Related Resources

• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Estimate streaming revenue for performing artists
• Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Revenue strategies for UK-based musicians
• Publishing Royalty Split Calculator - Calculate splits for co-writing sessions
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Compare with another top UK conservatory
• Royal Academy of Music Official Website - Current admission requirements and program details