Primary instrument/specialism
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Drumkit
This course is closed for the 2024 academic cycle. Please contact the provider or view the 2025 courses.
Royal Northern College of Music has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Over the last decade, the RNCM's Popular Music programme has established itself as a global destination of choice for outstanding music students, teachers, researchers and professional artists. Continually reinventing to respond to the ever-changing, dynamic industry, this unique course creates exceptional musicians, original artists and inspired entrepreneurs with a drive to build purposeful, successful and sustainable careers. Students on the BMus (Hons) in Popular Music are treated as professionals from day one, gaining flexibility to create their own bespoke package while majoring in one of our four core areas of study. With a strong focus on artist development and taking inspiration from Manchester’s iconic music scene, this exciting degree teaches the essential skills of the 3D musician: performance, compositions and production. It embraces innovation and diversity, empowering you to be ambitious and imaginative with no boundaries to your creativity. And, through an unparalleled network of international visiting artists, industry professionals and influential industry partners, we actively encourage and support you to develop your career alongside your studies.
Course details
Principal study options
During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:
Main specialism
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
Joint main specialism
You would like to study two specialisms, both studied equally.
Instrument/specialisms
For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.
Secondary instrument/specialisms
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Drumkit
Modules
Module options include Performance, Composition, Production, Artist Development and Musicianship.
Assessment method
Assessment methods are designed to develop and evaluate various skills in all students. Feedback is provided on all assessments, enabling students to enhance their learning by acting on constructive criticism and appraisals given in the context of all modules, both formatively and in relation to summative, credit-bearing assessments. Assessment methods are diverse, and include the following: Live performance or composition portfolio assessment, written assessment, reflective portfolio, presentation, vlog or blog, arrangements, theory tests, aural and improvisation assessment.
How to apply
This course is closed for the 2024 academic cycle. Please contact the provider or view the 2025 courses.
*If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.
02Oct
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 201F
- Institution code:
- R57
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
International applicants
Applicants whose first language is not English must obtain an IELTS score of 5.5 (or CEFR B2) in all components. Visit rncm.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/ for more information about our international requirements.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - EE
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Interview
Portfolio
Assessment locations
In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.
Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.
Single specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online Single Principal Study | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester Joint Principal Study | £110 | £110 |
| Online Joint Principal Study | £110 | £110 |
| New York | £110 | £110 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online Single Principal Study | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester | £75 | £75 |
| RNCM, Manchester Joint Principal Study | £110 | £110 |
| Online Joint Principal Study | £110 | £110 |
| New York | £110 | £110 |
Additional information
Visit rncm.ac.uk/study-here/make-an-application/your-audition/ for full audition requirements.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
The RNCM charges tuition fees to all students for each year of study. To determine the status of undergraduate students for fee purposes, we follow regulations issued by the UK Government. If you don’t qualify for Home status, you’ll be enrolled as an International student.
Visit rncm.ac.uk/fees for course fees and information about scholarships and bursaries.
Sponsorship information
Scholarships are offered to applicants who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential at audition. There’s no separate application process for these as everyone is automatically considered. Scholarship Awards are for the first year of study only (unless specifically stated otherwise). A limited number of Bursaries are also available for International and postgraduate students, allocated on the basis of need and merit. If you’re successful in gaining a Bursary, this will be deducted from your tuition fees, leaving you with a net balance to pay. Visit rncm.ac.uk/fees for information about scholarships and bursaries.
Provider information
Royal Northern College of Music
124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9RD