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Master of Science in Performance Science

Engage with key aspects of performance psychology and education, performers’ health and wellbeing, arts and health, and research methods.

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UCAS codes
715F (1 year), 715P (2 years), 715M ( modular flexi-route)
Course duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time or modular flexi-route
Location
In-person, London
Application deadline
Applications for 2026 entry will open in July 2025.

The Master of Science (MSc) in Performance Science is an internationally distinctive degree which examines the art and science of performance in real-world educational and professional contexts.

Download prospectus

Course overview

This dynamic programme provides extensive professional and collaborative networking opportunities, one to one teaching with internationally renowned experts in performance science, access to latest research and world class facilities including an advanced Centre for Performance Science and a new £1.9 million Performance Laboratory which includes an advanced performance simulator.

This programme benefits anyone who is motivated to gain scientific understanding of how music is created, learned, performed and perceived, including performers, teachers, and arts leaders aiming to progress their current careers through continuing professional development. 

This programme is also an ideal base for those wishing to pursue doctoral research and/or teaching in performance science, music psychology, arts and health, musicians’ health, or in any area in which knowledge of scientific methods and techniques would be an advantage.

The BBC exploring the Royal College of Music's performance laboratory

No.1

Global No.1 for Performing Arts. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024/2023/2022

 

Gold

Achieved the highest ranking of Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

Learning & teaching

The programme is taught through a series of seminars and tutorials organised around core study modules.

Additional one-to-one studies are available for an additional fee. If your application is successful you will be eligible to audition when you start your programme at the RCM.

Course outline

RCM Masters Course Overview

Term dates to 2029

Royal College of Music courses are internationally recognised as full degree courses with successful students awarded their qualifications under the RCM's Royal Charter.

Part-time study

The RCM welcomes applications for part-time study. Part-time students complete the required 240 credits over three academic years. Elective modules complement Principal Study, alongside the full range of performance opportunities and faculty activities. Applicants should apply for the programme as for full-time study and inform the RCM Admissions team of their intention to study part-time. Entry requirements are the same for both part-time and full-time applicants.

Pursuing your degree part-time allows you three years to develop your performance and professional skills at a more flexible pace, with a time commitment of roughly two thirds compared to full-time study. While your workload for elective modules will be lighter, your participation in ensemble rehearsals and performances will remain just as full. Part-time study primarily affects elective modules and Principal Study, but you can still expect a busy performance and rehearsal schedule throughout the programme.

A man wearing a light blue shirt, using digital tablet to control a visual simulator, with two students, a female soprano and a male pianist, performing in front of a simulator.

Centre for Performance Science

The Centre for Performance Science is an ambitious collaboration between the RCM and Imperial College, aimed at tackling major challenges of performance across a wide array of domains. Our vision is that, by understanding how skilled performers meet the distinctive challenges of their work, often under intense stress and public scrutiny, performance will serve both as a source of inspiration and a rich resource for research.

Find out more about the CPS

A man wearing a light blue shirt, using digital tablet to control a visual simulator, with two students, a female soprano and a male pianist, performing in front of a simulator.
A man wearing a light blue shirt, using digital tablet to control a visual simulator, with two students, a female soprano and a male pianist, performing in front of a simulator.

Opportunities

From the very beginning of the course you will be able to draw on exceptional resources and opportunities, such as the RCM Library, the RCM Museum, the Centre for Performance Science and Creative Careers Centre.

Your Time to Shine

Your Time to Shine

Performance is at the heart of RCM life. Our students collaborate with the world's greatest artists and enjoyed unrivalled opportunities in the spotlight.

Our spaces

Our spaces

You will have as you home an historic campus with state-of-the art facilities. Here your learning environment is the best it can be.

Digital Innovation

Digital Innovation

We continually invest so that all students can experience the cutting edge of sound and music technology.

Preparing for the profession

Preparing for the profession

Preparing for the profession

Our Creative Careers Centre provides an exceptional service to current 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.

Tailored career support

Tailored career support

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.

Our valuable guidance includes CV and biography writing, concert programming, communication skills, project management, marketing and publicity, online promotion, financial matters and how to develop a business idea.

Services

Creative Careers Centre services

RCM Accelerate supports graduating RCM students to kick-start or evolve a creative project, social enterprise, or business idea.

Concert opportunities to perform at a variety of venues, including concert halls, churches, abbeys, museums, galleries and community settings.

Services

Creative Careers Centre services

Professional Engagement Service allows organisations and members of the public to hire RCM musicians to perform at events.

RCM Teaching Service matches members of the public in London and across the globe with student-tutors.

Read more about the Creative Careers Centre

Entry requirements

Candidates normally require an undergraduate degree with a 2:1 class or above (or equivalent international qualification) in music, another performing art, or a subject related to performance science, such as education, psychology, sociology, or biology. 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.

The requirement for this course is to speak English to C1 standard on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR, with a minimum standard of B2 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, listening). This is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum of 5.5. in all four components.

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

Fees & support

A full outline of tuition fees for all our courses, including details of charges for additional one-to-one lessons and reassessment fees, is available for download.

More than 50% of current students receive some financial support, thanks to the generosity of individuals, legators, companies and charitable trusts.

More about our fees and funding

 

RCM: Tuition fees and other charges 2025-26

RCM student studying some music

How to apply

Applications for September 2025 are still open. Please contact our Admissions team if you need any advice on applying. Applications for 2026 entry will open in July 2025.

All applicants (including international applicants) should apply online through the UCAS Conservatoires admissions service, where you can track your application, find out when your audition is and get the results of your audition all on UCAS Conservatoires.

Learn more about applying Contact us

RCM student studying some music
RCM student studying some music

Applications

The Royal College of Music holds online interviews for shortlisted applicants. For further information, please refer to the interview and writing samples.

What is the application process?

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online interview. The interview gives you an opportunity to explain your interest and motivation for undertaking postgraduate studies in performance science and to discuss any particular areas of interest in the field you may have. The interview also gives you the opportunity to find out more about the programme in particular and studying at the RCM in general.

We appreciate that some candidates may not have prior experience in all areas covered on the programme; however, we expect applicants to have a clear motivation for studying performance science and to have emerging familiarity with some of the performance science literature.

We do not offer interviews in person for the MSc in Performance Science at any of our venues.

Writing sample

As part of the application process, candidates will be requested to submit a short writing sample in advance of their interview.

This can be any example of your academic writing, such as an essay you may have completed within a previous degree, and does not need to be directly related to performance science. However, should you feel that you do not have any appropriate previous writing, we can provide a topic on which to write approximately 1,000 words.

The aim of the writing sample is to assess your ability to write critically at a postgraduate level.

Suggested Reading

Clarke E, Dibben N, & Pitts S (2009), Music and Mind in Everyday Life, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780198525578. (See OUP.)

McPherson GE (2006), The Child as Musician, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780198817154. (See OUP.) 

Parncutt R & McPherson GE (2002), The Science and Psychology of Music Performance, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780195138108. (See OUP.)

Williamon A (ed.) (2004), Musical Excellence, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780198525356. (See OUP.)

Additional information

Course reviews

RCM courses are reviewed annually in response to student and external examiner feedback, which sometimes results in minor changes, such as the availability of particular modules. A more thorough review is undertaken every five to six years, after which more substantial changes may be made while maintaining the ethos that underpins the course. Our review process is part of the RCM’s continued commitment to provide the best possible education and music training. The information provided here reflects the official course outline as it currently stands. In the event of alterations following a review, we will update this page as soon as possible.

Taught Masters Programmes Regulations

PDF: Taught Masters Programmes Regulations

Enquiries

If you have any questions about studying at the RCM or about the admissions process please contact our Admissions team, who will be happy to help you.

Admissions

Admissions and general audition enquiries

+44 (0)20 7591 4362

admissions@rcm.ac.uk

Learn more

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Thinking about applying

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Choosing where to audition

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English language requirements

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Fees and funding

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