BMus (Hons) Bachelor of Music Bachelor's degree at Royal Northern College of Music

Forming the foundation of the programme, Principal Study focuses on enabling you to realise your true potential, both technically and creatively, through one-to-one tuition, group classes, masterclasses and many additional creative and performance opportunities. Whether you're studying one Principal Study discipline or choosing to divide your tuition between two areas of specialism, you'll work closely with your tutor(s) to develop a learning pathway that's right for you. This will include perso

This optional module is designed to develop your artistry, technique and professionalism in aspects of Principal Study. It will enable you to execute to a high-standard a range of applied performance, composition or pedagogy skills in professional and proto-professional contexts. Through individual or group activities you'll demonstrate independence, motivation, self-discipline, resilience, collaboration and time-management. And you'll build the confidence to perform, compose or teach to the sta

Through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, you'll engage with relevant themes for your development as a musician, artist, and global citizen, with a view to supporting a sustainable and rewarding career. You'll also examine the different situations facing today's musicians and the role of skills such as creativity within a holistic outlook, encompassing reflection on all areas of your RNCM activity. Areas to be explored may include: creativity and its social, cultural, and financial v

Students are inspired to contextualise, review, and diversify their knowledge of Western art music and related music traditions through weekly lectures on a range of works, narratives, and moments of historical and cultural significance. The module balances the contemporary conservatoire's need to embed students' pre-existing knowledge of Western art music in a more comprehensive overview of repertoire and traditions with the equally vital need to engage with major issues in diversity, inclusivi

Through taught seminars (streamed according to both aural ability and Principal Study), you'll develop your aural training, improvisation skills and the theoretical knowledge that underpins them, along with analytical techniques that will inform and enhance interpretation. At the same time, a range of practical skills in notation, composition, music analysis and arrangement will be deployed in a free-choice theory project in the second term.

Delivered during Years 1 and 2, our Ensembles modules foster creative musical collaborations and are designed to develop initiative, teamwork, and commitment. Chamber groups are formed in collaboration with the Head and Deputy Heads of Chamber Music (for instrumentalists) and Deputy Head of Opera (for singers), and composers develop their collaborative skills through working with creative artists in art forms such as dance and film. In addition to regular tuition delivered by a designated tutor

During Years 3 and 4 you'll have the chance to choose practical and performance electives relating to and complementing your Principal Study work. These include conducting, chamber music, jazz improvisation, opera, and historical performance. Once you're in your final year, you'll also have the option to take an additional elective in an area of emerging specialism.

During Year 3 and 4 you'll choose specialist areas of study from a range of electives, including options exploring education, health and wellbeing, psychology, history, theory and analysis, technology and the music industry. Once you're in your final year, you'll also have the option to take an additional elective in an area of emerging specialism.

All BMus students undertake a Professional Placement during their third year, with preparation beginning towards the end of Year 2. Working alongside industry professionals in a range of jobs, possible career choices can be explored through placements with organisations such as the BBC Philharmonic (Learning and Digital Department), Hallé (Youth Orchestra and Choral Management), One Education Music, LIME Music for Health (Royal Manchester Children's Hospital), Manchester Camerata (Music in Mind)

During Year 3 you'll join cohort lectures which introduce key aspects of performance studies informed by practice and research at the forefront of the discipline. These comprise materials relevant to a variety of repertoire and performance practices, providing context for discussions and directions pursued in mixed School, smaller seminar groups. During the first term you'll be encouraged to consider a spectrum of approaches relevant to your own practices while engaging with ideas and topics out

Year 4 students undertake a substantial Creative Project, allowing you to concentrate on personal interests and consolidate specific strands of the programme. Supported by a professional mentor, the opportunity enhances your initiative and employability, while building a portfolio of career-focused experiences. You will also benefit from parallel workshops on topics such as project management, curating an online presence, marketing and PR, and business skills including record-keeping and account