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Last updated on 23 Sep '26Royal College of MusicWhat's new?
- Audition deadlines for most Royal College of Music courses are Oct 1, 2026
About Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is the 2nd best institution in the world for performing arts and music in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2026. Before that, RCM London was the undisputed #1 institute in the world for 4 years in a row. The institute also holds a Gold ranking in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
Key reasons for Indian students to study at RCM London are:
- Post Study Careers: RCM London grads perform and work with international and UK orchestras like the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, and Philharmonia
- Student Satisfaction: More than 90% of students were said to be satisfied with their overall study experience at RCM, as per the National Student Survey 2024
- Learn From Leaders: RCM London courses are delivered by world-renowned professors, soloists, and key players from London orchestras
- Professional Connections: Easy access to orchestral sit-in schemes, workshop leadership via RCM Sparks, and career guidance via the Creative Careers Centre
- Student Events: Option to take part in or attend 500+ annual student events, including external festivals like the BBC Proms
Royal College of Music Facts
The Royal College of Music acceptance rate is 66%, as per EduRank. More key facts about studies at the Royal College of Music London are mentioned below:
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1882 |
| Affiliations |
|
| Endowment | GBP 52.9 million |
| Budget | GBP 43.4 million |
| Total Students Enrolled | 900+ from 60+ countries |
| Graduate Students | 505 |
| Undergraduate Students | 490 |
| Notable Alumni |
|
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
No, RCM London does not host live audition venues in India. Students can either opt to submit a pre-recorded video audition or attend one live at one of the following locations:
- Tokyo, Japan
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Seoul, South Korea
- Beijing or Shanghai, China
- Sydney, Australia
- Toronto, Canada
Check rcm.ac.uk to know more.
Yes, the Royal College of Music is worth it for dedicated Indian students pursuing classical performance, composition, or conducting at a world-class level.
It is an option worth pursuing for the following reasons:
- Ranks #2 in the world for Performing Arts and Music
- 50% of RCM London students receive some financial support from the college
- Easy access to top European orchestras and masterclasses
The Royal College of Music can be considered moderately competitive to get into for Indian students with a 66% acceptance rate, as per EduRank. The difficulty level depends almost entirely on your performance in past academics, and in the audition.
RCM does not hold local in-person auditions inside India. Students are usually required to attend an in-person interview at one of RCM's audition sites like London, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Beijing, or Toronto.
Royal College of Music Rankings 2027
The Royal College of Music is the #1 institute in the UK in 2027 for Fine Arts programs, according to the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings.
By Other Ranking Bodies
- The Royal College of Music QS Ranking 2026 is #2 in the world for Performing Arts
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
The Royal College of Music ranks #2 in the world for Music and Performing Arts as part of the QS Rankings 2026. Given below are the year-on-year Royal College of Music QS Ranking trends for the same category:
| Year | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performing Arts | #2 | #1 | #1 |
Source: QS
The Royal College of Music ranks #1 in the UK and Europe for Music and Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. The institute has ranked #1 in the UK for 11 consecutive years.
Other notable recognitions received by RCM include:
- The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education 2025
- RIBA London Award 2025
Royal College of Music Courses and Fees for Indian Students 2027
The Royal College of Music offers 30+ degrees and diplomas to Indian students in fields like Music Performance, Music Composition, Vocal Performance, Opera, Performance Science, and Conducting, among others. The Royal College of Music courses can be completed within 4 years at the UG level and 1 to 2 years at the Master's level of study.
Royal College of Music Best Courses for Indian Students
Listed below are some of the best Royal College of Music courses available to Indian students:
- Bachelor of Music (Honours)
- Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance
- Artist Diploma in Performance
- Master of Composition
- Master of Performance
Royal College of Music Fees for Indian Students 2027
The Royal College of Music tuition fees for Indian students planning to enroll in the 2027/28 intake range between GBP 22,550 and GBP 41,700 (INR 28.7 Lakhs and INR 53.15 Lakhs) per year. A detailed program-by-program breakdown of the RCM tuition fees can be found in the FREE PDF below:
| Royal College of Music Tuition Fees Guide for Indian Students 2027/28 FREE Download |
Note: RCM UK tuition fees for Indian students are subject to increase annually by 2% to 7%.
Royal College of Music Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
The average annual cost of living for Indian students at the Royal College of Music is GBP 13,800 (INR 17.6 Lakhs) per year. Download the FREE PDF below for a detailed breakdown of living costs at the Royal College of Music:
| Royal College of Music Cost of Living Guide for Indian Students FREE |
Source: rcm.ac.uk
1 GBP = INR 127.40
Guided 4.5K students to UK universities.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
15K+ students got admitted through us.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
No, the Royal College of Music tuition fees is reviewed annually and increases by 2% to 7% for each year of the program. The average RCM tuition fees for Indian students ranges betwen GBP 22,500 and GBP 41,700 (INR 28.7 Lakhs and INR 53.15 Lakhs) per year.
For detailed information about tuition-related costs, check the RCM London fees page on Shiksha Study Abroad.
Yes, Indian students can pay the Royal College of Music tuition fees in 3 equal instalments payable at the start of each term. Students can set up the plan via the RCM online payment system using a valid debit or credit card. The setting up process must be completed before induction week.
Check rcm.ac.uk to know more.
How to get into the Royal College of Music from India?
Indian students interested in admission to the Royal College of Music need to have completed a secondary school certificate or a previous degree level appropriate for the course. Most RCM London courses require a live audition or a pre-recorded video submission to be shared with the college by the specific program deadline.
Royal College of Music Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for auditions at the Royal College of Music London campus is Oct 1, 2026. Overseas auditions have different deadlines. Download the FREE PDF below for program-specific deadlines, along with the step-by-step Royal College of Music admission process:
| Royal College of Music Admission Guide for Indian Students FREE Download |
Royal College of Music Application Checklist
Documents to submit and English proficiency requirements that Indian students need to meet are given below:
| Application Checklist Item | Required |
|---|---|
| Documents |
|
| Language and Audition Requirements |
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Yes, Indian students can submit a video audition if they cannot travel to RCM London. Video auditions are available for most courses. However, for admission to the Artist Diploma in Performance, students cannot submit a video audition.
An alternative is to be part of the live overseas auditions at Asian venues like Seoul, Beijing, or Bangkok.
Royal College of MusicRoyal College of Music Scholarships for Indian Students
Scholarship options for Indian students at the Royal College of Music are limited. Indian students are generally only eligible to apply for the merit-based scholarships that RCM London offers to students enrolled in Taught Performance and Composition courses. For detailed information about RCM scholarships and awards, check the FREE PDF below:
| Royal College of Music Scholarships FREE Download |
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
No, Indian students do not need to submit a separate application form for a RCM scholarship. Every student who applies for an eligible performance course is automatically considered for a scholarship.
The eligibility is determined for by your performance during live or video audition.
Source: rcm.ac.uk
Royal College of Music Popular Courses
1 yearRoyal College of Music Post Study Job Outcomes
Royal College of Music grads are employed across companies like the BBC, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, ABRSM, and RCM London itself. According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024, the Royal College of Music Placement Rate is 93%. 100% of all employed grads are in highly-skilled work.
Commonly asked questions On Placements
No, the Royal College of Music does not guarantee job placements. However, the institute does help students find work in the music industry in the following ways:
- Creative Careers Centre offers one-to-one coaching, CV, and biography workshops
- Offers grant funding and expert mentoring to select graduate students
- Students can work as mentors or workshops assistants in schools and local music hubs
Royal College of Music Courses and Fees 2026
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.A.(31 courses) | INR 27 L - 51 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5.5 - 7, TOEFL, PTE |
PG Diploma(5 courses) | INR 39 L - 40 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5.5 & Above, TOEFL, PTE |
B.A.(1 course) | – / – | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5.5 & Above, TOEFL, PTE |
College comparison
Compare Royal College of Music with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 26.96 L - 51.84 L | -/- |
Royal College of MusicStudying in UK
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Royal College of Music Campus
Indian students can expect a demanding and culturally diverse student life (students from 60+ countries), with access to several advanced acoustics, including the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, the RCM library with 200,000+ scores, industry-standard recording studios and composition suites, along with on-campus housing and dining facilities.
Royal College of Music Campus Location
The Royal College of Music operates 1 main campus at Prince Consort Road, South Kensington, London
Royal College of Music Campus Life for Indian Students
Mentioned below are some key features of Indian student life at the Royal College of Music campus:
- On-campus housing is available as part of the Prince Consort Village. The facility includes studio apartments, en-suite rooms, and standard rooms.
- For barista-style coffees, snacks, and sandwiches, students can visit The Carolean, RCM London's on-campus cafe. Indian food is generally not served on-campus. Most Indian students prefer to cook their own, or visit a nearby Indian restaurant, like Little India and Khan's of Kensington, where an average meal costs between GBP 20 and GBP 30 (INR 2.5 K and INR 3.8 K)
Commonly asked questions On Others
The Royal College campus is based in South Kensington, West London, directly opposite to the Royal Albert Hall. The official address is Prince Consort Road, London.
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Royal College of MusicLocation
| University City | London, London, UK |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 88,25,000 |
Royal College of MusicContact Information
Prince Consort Road
London SW7 2BS
United Kingdom
London
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