The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) is one of the world’s most progressive conservatoires. Located in the heart of Manchester, UK, we’re dedicated to providing an outstanding education that propels students into careers as inspiring and versatile musicians, fully equipped for exciting futures both on and off stage. Housing three major performance spaces, the RNCM is also a vibrant live music venue, offering unparalleled opportunities for students to perform to public audiences and to work alongside professional musicians and visiting artists. Founded in 1973 through the merger of the Royal Manchester College of Music and Northern School of Music, the RNCM was first awarded Royal Patronage in October of its opening year by Her Late Majesty The Queen. It is now home to over 950 students from more than 60 countries and enjoys the Royal Patronage of His Majesty The King.
We’re positioned in the Top 10 for music in the QS World University Rankings, rated Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, and recognised as one of the UK’s leading conservatoires for research. We are also the recipient of six Times Higher Education Awards (Excellence and Innovation in the Arts, Outstanding International Student Strategy, Widening Participation and Outreach Initiative of the Year, Technological and Digital Innovation of the Year, Outstanding Entrepreneurial University, and Outstanding Library Team), two Greater China Awards, a Global Teaching Excellence Spotlight Award, and two Heist Awards.