Royal College of Music

General information

The Royal College of Music is a world-leading music conservatoire with a prestigious history, contemporary outlook and inspiring location, rated top conservatoire for performing arts in the UK and second across all institutions worldwide in 2017 QS World University Rankings

The RCM trains gifted musicians from all over the world for international careers as performers, conductors, composers and other significant leadership roles within the arts.

With around 800 students from more than 60 countries studying at undergraduate, masters or doctoral level, the RCM is a community of talented and open-minded musicians where creativity, innovation, collaboration and diversity are prized.

Founded in 1882 by the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), the RCM has trained some of the most important figures in British and international music life, including composers such as Holst, Vaughan Williams and Britten; conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Sir Colin Davis and Sir Roger Norrington; singers such as Dame Joan Sutherland, Sir Thomas Allen and Alfie Boe; and instrumentalists such as James Galway, John Lill and Natalie Clein.

Regular visitors include the likes of Lang Lang, Dame Kiri te Kanawa and Bernard Haitink. The RCM’s many performing groups – including five orchestras, two jazz bands and the RCM International Opera School – are celebrated for the vitality and excellence of their performances, and are regularly invited to perform at significant venues both in the UK and overseas.

The RCM’s buildings, facilities and location are the envy of the world. The RCM’s iconic building – housing a concert hall, opera theatre, state-of-the-art studios, library and museum – is situated directly opposite the Royal Albert Hall in the cultural heart of London, one of the world’s great musical cities.

The RCM’s recently launched campaign, 'More Music: Reimagining the Royal College of Music' will transform the RCM's South Kensington estate, future-proofing high-quality music education and guaranteeing access to excellence for generations to come. Visit www.rcm.ac.uk/moremusic for details.