RNCM - Royal Northern College of Music

RNCM - Royal Northern College of Music The UK’s leading conservatoire for music (The Times Good University Guide 2020)

Located in the heart of Manchester, UK, the RNCM is dedicated to providing an outstanding education that propels its students into careers as inspiring and versatile musicians, fully-equipped for exciting futures both on and off stage. Housing three major performance spaces, the College is also a vibrant live music venue offering unparalleled opportunities for students to perform to public audienc

es and to work alongside professional musicians and visiting artists. In 2024 we were rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and are currently ranked No 5 for music and No 8 for performing arts in the QS World University Rankings. We are also the recipient of five Times Higher Education Awards (including Outstanding Entrepreneurial University), two Greater China Awards, a Global Teaching Excellence Spotlight Award, and two Heist Awards.

Celebrating outstanding new music at the RNCM Artist of the Year Composition final. Our School of Composition composers ...
18/06/2026

Celebrating outstanding new music at the RNCM Artist of the Year Composition final.

Our School of Composition composers premiered four new chamber works, performed by Talland Quartet and Carl Raven, alongside two immersive installations in Studio 8.

Congratulations to all of our finalists, and especially to Gloria Xia, winner of the RNCM Artist of the Year for Composition and Kámea Németh whose installation was Highly Commended.

Thank you to our judges Matt Whitham, Laura Bowler and David Fennesy.

On Friday, our School of Wind, Brass & Percussion took centre stage for an unforgettable double bill from the RNCM Brass...
16/06/2026

On Friday, our School of Wind, Brass & Percussion took centre stage for an unforgettable double bill from the RNCM Brass Band and Wind Orchestra.

Students had the incredible opportunity to perform alongside their tutors, Heads of School and guest section principals, including Kevin Gowland, Stephane Rancourt, Linda Merrick, Ben Hudson, Naomi Sullivan, Laura Llewellyn-Jones, Murray Greig, Owen Farr, David Thornton, Leslie Neish and Simone Rebello.

The evening also featured a standout solo performance from renowned clarinettist Julian Bliss.

📸 Natalie Argent

On Saturday, four of our Popular Music students performed their own original music with our Session Ensemble in the firs...
15/06/2026

On Saturday, four of our Popular Music students performed their own original music with our Session Ensemble in the first RNCM Artist of the Year final.

Well done to all of the artists, their bands, the Session Ensemble, and the arrangers who collaborated to deliver a brilliant evening of new music.

A big congratulations to Lottie Gray who was named the Popular Music Artist of the Year for her performance.

If you missed it, you have another opportunity to see Lottie Gray, Harry Lines, Elin Grace and Mateo at the BBC Music Introducing @ RNCM Festival: https://rncm.link/BBCIntroducingRNCM

📸 Hannah Walker

Our 2026/27 Inspirational Artists series 💫 Celebrating the musicians utilising their skill, experience, and training to ...
04/06/2026

Our 2026/27 Inspirational Artists series 💫

Celebrating the musicians utilising their skill, experience, and training to reshape expectations about classical music, and to inspire the next generation.

See these international artists pushing the boundaries of their own practice and embracing innovation with courage and creativity.

Tickets on sale now: https://rncm.link/InspirationalArtists

02/06/2026

Step into People's History Museum after hours for a bold live music experience in Amplified: Music of Protest.

RNCM musicians perform powerful new works inspired by the national museum of democracy, created in collaboration with poet and playwright Louise Wallwein.

These next-gen artists, studying in the city of Peterloo and the Pankhursts, continue the spirit of those who made their voices heard when it mattered most.

Book now: rncm.link/amplified-music-of-protest

🎵 Hypnotised - Written and performed by Lucy Ellen and The Leopards, and featuring Chloe Chen (cello) and Toby Johnson-Jones (French horn)
🎥 James Mulholland

Join us on Sun 21 Jun for our brand new festival spotlighting emerging talent, co-curated by BBC Music Introducing.This ...
27/05/2026

Join us on Sun 21 Jun for our brand new festival spotlighting emerging talent, co-curated by BBC Music Introducing.

This day-long celebration takes place across three stages, including acts handpicked by BBC Music Introducing in our Theatre.

Plus, the RNCM Presents line-up is stacked with this exciting mix of new bands and artists from our Popular Music course, performing across the RNCM Café Bar and Concert Hall stages:

Lottie Gray
MATEO
Sam Pendrill
Lucy Ellen and the Leopards
The Everything Complex
The Prior
Tal-é
Fushigi
Iona Gray
Théo DG

🎟️ Book your FREE ticket and explore the full line-up at: https://www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/bbc-introducing-rncm/

Last month, our Children’s Opera saw more than 120 children perform an original opera they created from scratch, support...
18/05/2026

Last month, our Children’s Opera saw more than 120 children perform an original opera they created from scratch, supported by 143 RNCM students and led by composer Kate Pearson.

Now in its 17th year, this multi-award-nominated project champions access to music education in primary schools across Greater Manchester. To date, it has inspired over 2,000 children, while giving RNCM students hands-on experience and training the next generation of arts educators.

Thank you to Arts Council England, The East Lancashire Masonic Charity, The Granada Foundation and The Zochonis Charitable Trust for their generous support of this year’s RNCM Children’s Opera.

📸 Robin Clewley Photography

14/05/2026

Discover RNCM returns next month.
Our award-winning open day is your chance to experience what it’s really like to study at the RNCM.

Student Ambassadors Lucy and Finn are here to tell you what to expect on the day.

• Chat to current students about life in Manchester
• Explore our courses
• Learn about today’s music industry and the skills you’ll need to thrive
• Hear from staff and alumni about what makes us different
• Tour our building, explore facilities, and visit our Halls of Residence (Unite Students)

Book your place: https://rncm.link/3tG1mEG

Meet us in LA!We’re excited to be heading to Los Angeles in two weeks time to take part in the Study UK-LA Greater Toget...
08/05/2026

Meet us in LA!

We’re excited to be heading to Los Angeles in two weeks time to take part in the Study UK-LA Greater Together campaign.

We will be one of 16 higher education institutions at the Study UK - British Council pop-up experience on Fri 22 May, giving you the chance to learn more about studying music in the UK.

Our Student Recruitment team will be there to answer any questions you might have, including understanding the conservatoire application and audition process, visas and scholarships, and more.

Manus Carey, Deputy Principal and Artistic Director, will be leading Applying to a UK conservatoire: global outlook – local impact, one of several GREAT sessions taking place during the day.

There will also be a showcase performance by popular music student Harry Lines, featuring RNCM musicians from across our Popular Music and Classical programmes.

Register now: https://studyuk-popup.eventbrite.com

Address

124 Oxford Road
Manchester
M139RD

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 11pm
Tuesday 7am - 11pm
Wednesday 7am - 11pm
Thursday 7am - 11pm
Friday 7am - 11pm
Saturday 7am - 11pm
Sunday 7am - 11pm

Telephone

+441619075200

Website

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