Royal College Of Music

The Royal College of Music (RCM) is one of the world’s great conservatoires, training gifted musicians from all over the world for international careers as performers, conductors and composers. 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; instrumentalists such as James Galway, John Lill and Natalie Clein.

With 750 students from more than 60 countries studying at undergraduate, masters or doctoral level, the RCM of the 21st century is a vibrant community of talented and open-minded musicians. RCM professors are musicians with worldwide reputations, accustomed to working with the most talented students of each generation to unlock their artistic potential. 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 is situated directly opposite the Royal Albert Hall in the cultural heart of London, one of the world’s great musical cities. Our iconic building, our concert hall, opera theatre, state-of-the-art studios, library and museum all provide inspiration for RCM students.

The Royal College of Music is one of the world’s great conservatoires, training gifted musicians from all over the world for international careers as performers, conductors and composers. 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, Turnage 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; instrumentalists such as Sir James Galway, John Lill and Natalie Clein.

With 840 students from more than 60 countries studying at undergraduate, masters or doctoral level, the RCM is a vibrant community of talented and open-minded musicians. RCM professors are musicians with worldwide reputations, accustomed to working with the most talented students of each generation to unlock their artistic potential.

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 is situated in South Kensington, the home of science, arts and inspiration, directly opposite the Royal Albert Hall . Our iconic building, our concert hall, Britten Theatre, studios, library and RCM Collections all provide inspiration for RCM students.

The RCM is established under a Royal Charter that dates from 1883. The Charter was revised in 1994, when a Supplemental Charter was granted. The Royal Charter and Statutes were extensively revised by the College most recently in 2009, when Her Majesty The Queen was pleased to allow the amendments at a meeting of the Privy Council held on 9 July 2009.

The Council is the governing body of the RCM and is supported in this role by a number of committees, principal among these being the Finance & General Purposes Committee. A register of Council members' interests is maintained, and is available for inspection on request to the Clerk to the Council. The senior academic committee of the RCM is the Senate. The functions of the Senate are described in the Charter as to “advise the Council on all academic matters affecting the educational policy of the College and related matters”. In practice this means that the Senate is responsible for matters of academic policy and regulations, quality assurance and academic standards, the design of the curriculum and arrangements for assessment and for research policy. It has a committee structure to support it in this wide task.