Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) enables the undertaking of a sustained original project in performance, composition, musicology, performance science, music education and music and material culture.

Overview

Start date September 2025
End date The standard period of ordinary registration for the PhD is three years (full-time) or six years (part-time).

'The cohort of PhD students comprises music practitioners from all corners of the world. Our conversations and camaraderie, both in the classroom and outside, made me feel part of a community.'

Dr Sureshkumar P Sekar, recent Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduate

As a research student, you will work with at least two supervisors to either prepare a submission solely comprising a written thesis, or a submission that combines a shorter thesis or critical commentary with practical work in composition or performance.

If you are considering applying to undertake doctoral research, your first step is to identify a member of staff with relevant expertise to support your project and capacity to act as your supervisor. An initial enquiry with a potential supervisor, or with the relevant contact point, will help to establish if we can support your project.

Please note that applications for Performance Science are closed for September 2025 entry.

Find a supervisor

Supplementing your individual supervision is an array of group classes and research events that will ensure you are fully embedded in the RCM’s diverse and supportive research community.

Recent PhD projects include:

Sara Ascenso (2022), Musicians’ wellbeing: a cross-sectional investigation within the framework of Positive Psychology.
Ellen Falconer (2022), The case for Casella: towards new methods of understanding and interpreting the Italian Modernist pianist-composer.
David Keith Bowen (2022), The bass clarinet in bassoon form: its history, repertoire and acoustics.

AHRC doctoral studentships through LAHP

The RCM is the only music conservatoire in London to be part of an AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership, with full studentships awarded to exceptional applicants through the London Arts and Humanities Partnership.

Find out about the AHRC studentships and LAHP

Term dates to 2029

Performance and composition opportunities

With a busy events calendar of more than 500 events every year, the RCM offers a vibrant environment for research staff and students.

Doctoral students are able to participate in the RCM’s performance programme (including access to coaching for chamber music) and to perform in the College’s public programme. Doctoral students may audition for orchestral and ensemble placements in induction week every year.

A proportion of supervision hours may be taken as lessons with a performance professor, where this tuition is integral to your project. This option should be discussed with your lead supervisor during the application process, who will explore the availability of a suitable professor with the relevant Head of Faculty. Involvement in other faculty activities is by permission of the relevant Head of Faculty.

Composition at the RCM fosters partnerships with the College's large body of gifted instrumentalists. Doctoral composers will have the opportunity to hear performances of their own works and benefit from a range of collaborations, both within the RCM and externally.

Resources, facilities and collections

The RCM is rich in both practical and intellectual resources. Our library and the Royal College of Music Museum manage outstanding collections of priceless musical instruments, composers’ manuscripts and historical documents, which are the subject of a number of staff and student research projects.

These are complemented by our magnificent performance spaces and by RCM Studios, which provide advanced facilities for audio and video recording, super-fast video conferencing and technology-enhanced composition. Plus, we have the most important resource of all – supremely talented musicians eager to participate in bringing music to life.

Career development

The RCM’s Creative Careers Centre, which is recognised internationally for its innovative approach to supporting young musicians, provides an unparalleled service to current students and recent alumni. The dedicated team partners with leading consultants, reputable arts organisations and local communities, delivering unique career-building opportunities and a direct route to the music industry.

The work of the Creative Careers Centre allows students to discover their professional identity, gain hands-on experience and new skills, develop an entrepreneurial mind-set and build a fulfilling professional portfolio.

Extensive performance and teaching opportunities are available, as well as valuable guidance on CV and biography writing, concert programming, communication skills, project management, marketing and publicity, online promotion, financial matters and how to develop a business idea.

Find out more about the Creative Careers Centre

Entry requirements

To be admitted onto the programme, you will normally need a good Master’s degree, the ability to demonstrate a close familiarity with existing theoretical and practical aspects of your topic area, a developed awareness of fundamental research skills, and ability to design and define a viable project. There should be a good match between your intended project and the expertise of your proposed supervisor at the RCM.

Performance applicants should be performing at a level that matches the entry requirements for the Artist Diploma in Performance.

The RCM welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and alternative qualifications may be considered. If your qualifications are not listed here, please contact our Admissions team, who will be happy to discuss your suitability for the programme.

English language requirements

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that their level of English language ability meets the Royal College of Music’s minimum requirements in order for their application to be accepted.

If you require a visa to study at the RCM, you must meet the English language requirements before the RCM is permitted to sponsor your visa application.

Find out about English language requirements

How to apply

Before applying

If you are considering applying to undertake doctoral research, use our Find a supervisor list to help you find a suitable supervisor. An initial enquiry with a potential supervisor or with the relevant contact point will help to establish if we can support your project. For more information about the programme, please contact our general enquiries below.

Our Admissions team can help you with advice on fees, visas, language requirements, the online application process and other application enquiries.

Application process

Finding an expert supervisor is essential for doctoral study, so explore and contact potential supervisors on the Find a supervisor page. They will be able to advise whether they have the right expertise to support your proposed project. If a supervisor is willing to support your project, they will read and offer advice on your research proposal, and advise whether your research proposal is sufficiently developed to submit before the application deadline. Applicants in composition and performance science should enquire with the relevant contact point (listed on the Find a supervisor page), who will put you in touch with a potential supervisor if your project is promising.

Please note that a supervisor's agreement to support your application does not guarantee offer of a place, which will be dependent upon supervisory capacity and performance at interview.

For guidance on the format and content of your research proposal, please consult the following document:

Research Proposal Guidance

Deadlines

RCM application deadline for candidates considering LAHP funding is 28 November 2024.

Applications received by this deadline will be assessed first for admission to the RCM, through an interview with their chosen supervisor and another member of RCM staff. If you are offered a place at the RCM, your research proposal will then be considered for submission to the LAHP studentship competition.

Please note that LAHP funding is intensely competitive, and the RCM is only able to support the strongest applicants for this scheme: an internal RCM panel (including the Head of Doctoral Programmes) will select applicants to be taken forward to the LAHP competition, and these applicants will receive mentoring on their proposals during December and January to maximise their chances of success. Applicants admitted to the RCM but not entered into the LAHP competition can apply to the RCM bursary scheme in May.

RCM application deadline for other candidates is 14 March 2025.

Applications received between 1 December and 14 March will be considered as they are received. Applicants will be considered for the RCM Bursary scheme in May.

Submitting an application

You will need to:

Create an account on the RCM online submission portal.
Complete the Doctoral application form and upload your research proposal and your supporting documents. Please note that there is no requirement for video materials for doctoral applications.
Pay the application fee of £100.
Arrange for your referees to email their references direct to charlotte.rutherford@rcm.ac.uk.
Promising applicants will be invited to interview, normally within two weeks of the application being received. Interviews normally take place online.

Submitting an application