Research projects

A male student, with glasses, editing a score in the library
The Royal College of Music's body of active research projects changes regularly, reflecting the expertise of our researchers and addressing some of the most pressing questions in music today. 

Our research centres pull together related projects in key areas of investigation. However, the RCM maintains a supportive and imaginative research environment, welcoming projects that fall outside the scope of these centres.

Featured projects

Below is a selection of research projects. A full list of currently active and recently completed projects is available in the menu.

Report on access to A-Level music education

The Royal College of Music commissioned an investigation into changing demographics and uptake in A-level music over the last few years. Supply of high-level musicians does not begin at age 18 when schooling ends. It needs to have begun much earlier, in school classrooms and music hubs, starting in early years and developing through primary and secondary education. The commissioned report looks at the A-level music situation statistically and identifies where there is a need to support younger students who may go forward to take A-level music in the future.

Read the report

Research centres

Centre for Performance Science

The Centre for Performance Science is an ambitious collaboration between the Royal College of Music and Imperial College, aimed at tackling major challenges of performance across a wide array of domains. Both institutions are uniquely positioned to undertake this activity, with partnerships spanning the arts, medicine engineering, natural sciences and business.

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 

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