Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is a London-based conservatoire formed in 2005 from the merger of Trinity College of Music (founded 1872) and the Laban Dance Centre (founded 1988). It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in classical music, jazz, composition, musical theatre, dance, and music education. The conservatoire is located across three campuses in Greenwich, Deptford, and New Cross in South East London, and is accredited by the Arts Council of England. All students must audition to gain entry.
One of Trinity Laban's most globally recognized former students is A.R. Rahman, the Indian composer who won two Academy Awards and two Grammy Awards for his Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Rahman studied at Trinity College of Music in the 1990s. Here is the official music video for "Jai Ho" from his VEVO channel, with over 276 million views:
Programs and Curriculum
Trinity Laban offers programs across music and dance at undergraduate and postgraduate levels:
- BMus (Hons) in Music Performance: classical and jazz pathways with principal study, ensemble participation, and academic modules
- BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre: a three-year program combining singing, acting, and dance
- MA/MFA in Music: performance, composition, music education, and music therapy pathways
- MPhil/PhD: research degrees in music performance, composition, and dance science
- Dance programs: undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in contemporary dance, choreography, and dance science
The music curriculum centers on one-to-one principal study lessons, supported by masterclasses, ensemble work, and courses in history, theory, and professional development. Students can also take the Study Abroad Programme, which allows visiting students from other institutions to spend up to one year studying at Trinity Laban, earning 120 UK credits.
The conservatoire also runs Junior Trinity, a Saturday program for young musicians and dancers aged 5 to 19 who are preparing for conservatoire-level training.
Campus and Facilities
Trinity Laban operates across two main sites in South East London:
- The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich: a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the music department, including the Peacock Room concert hall, practice rooms, recording studios, and a music library
- The Laban Building in Deptford: an award-winning building designed by Herzog and de Meuron, housing the dance department with studios, performance spaces, and a dance science lab
Facilities include professional recording studios, a concert hall, recital rooms, a dance theatre, and specialized practice spaces. The Greenwich location gives students access to one of London's most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods, with the O2 Arena, Cutty Sark, and central London all within easy reach.
Admissions and Tuition
Admission is by audition only. Applicants apply directly through the Trinity Laban website or through UCAS Conservatoires for undergraduate music programs. Audition requirements vary by program but typically include prepared pieces, sight-reading, and an interview.
For UK students, undergraduate tuition fees are approximately GBP 9,250 per year (2025/26). International student fees are higher, typically ranging from GBP 22,000 to GBP 28,000 per year depending on the program. The Study Abroad Programme costs approximately GBP 8,450 for a full year. Scholarships and bursaries are available, including awards for outstanding audition performance.
Prospective students should check the official Trinity Laban website for current fee schedules, audition dates, and program-specific requirements.
Notable Alumni and Industry Connections
Trinity Laban (and its predecessor Trinity College of Music) has produced alumni across classical, jazz, pop, and film music:
- Fela Kuti: Nigerian composer, bandleader, and activist who created Afrobeat. Kuti came to London in 1958 to study composition and trumpet at Trinity College of Music. He fused jazz, highlife, Yoruba rhythms, and funk into a genre that transformed West African music. His 1976 album Zombie was a political protest against the Nigerian military. Here is "Zombie" from Fela Kuti's official YouTube channel, with over 3 million views:
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A.R. Rahman: Indian composer, record producer, and singer who has won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe. Rahman studied at Trinity College of Music and is known for his film scores for Slumdog Millionaire (2008), 127 Hours (2010), and dozens of Tamil and Hindi films. His "Jai Ho" was the first Indian song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
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Stjepan Hauser (of 2CELLOS): Croatian cellist who studied at Trinity Laban. As one half of 2CELLOS with Luka Sulic, he has built a global following for classical-crossover performances. Their YouTube channel has over 1.3 billion total views. Here is their arrangement of AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" from the official 2CELLOS channel:
- Tom Misch: South London multi-instrumentalist, producer, and guitarist who studied at Trinity Laban. His debut album Geography (2018) reached the top 10 on the UK Albums Chart. Misch has collaborated with De La Soul, Yussef Dayes, and Loyle Carner. Here is the official music video for "It Runs Through Me" featuring De La Soul, from his YouTube channel with over 30 million views:
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Emma-Jean Thackray: Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and DJ who completed a master's in composition at Trinity Laban. Her 2022 debut album Yellow won Jazz FM's Album of the Year and reached number 1 on the UK Jazz Albums Chart. She has directed the London Symphony Orchestra and performed at Glastonbury five times in one year.
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John Barbirolli: Conductor who served as music director of the New York Philharmonic and the Hallé Orchestra. One of the most significant British conductors of the 20th century.
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Margaret Price: Welsh soprano who performed at the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. She was particularly acclaimed for her Mozart roles.
The faculty includes working professionals from London's orchestral, jazz, and theatre scenes. Guest artists and visiting lecturers regularly give masterclasses and workshops, and the conservatoire maintains partnerships with organizations including the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC, and Royal Opera House.
Why It Matters for Aspiring Musicians
Trinity Laban suits students who want conservatoire training in London with a strong emphasis on contemporary practice and cross-disciplinary work. The merger of music and dance departments means musicians can collaborate with dancers and choreographers, an opportunity unavailable at most single-discipline conservatoires.
Consider the cost. London is one of the world's most expensive cities, and international tuition at Trinity Laban is comparable to other London conservatoires like the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. However, the Study Abroad Programme offers a more affordable entry point for international students who want a year of London conservatoire experience without committing to a full degree.
Students looking for funding should explore music scholarships that support conservatoire study in the UK. You can also use our streaming royalty calculator to estimate how your future recordings might earn revenue on digital platforms.
For a broader view of music education options, browse our complete music schools directory or learn about sync licensing opportunities that London-based graduates frequently pursue in film, television, and advertising.
Related Schools
- Royal Academy of Music - Another major London conservatoire for comparison
- Royal College of Music London - A leading London conservatoire with similar programs
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama - Another London conservatoire with music and drama programs
- Royal Northern College of Music - A leading UK conservatoire outside London
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Another UK conservatoire with cross-disciplinary programs
