Composition

Overview

The Advanced Professional Diploma in Performance (APD) is for students seeking a final-stage bridge to professional work. The course supports development of a range of industry-related skills (as appropriate to the individual profile) with course supervision provided in addition to one-to-one lessons (see list of possible specialisms below).

Successful applicants will have highly developed performance or compositional skills and a detailed understanding of their individual professional development needs. This will need to be articulated in the form of a deliverable set of outcomes/goals for the work during the course.

APD students will be supported in developing a high degree of independence in their work through the course, in order to be able to meet professional expectations. The course is at level 8 of the FHEQ, which demands a high level of autonomy and initiative.

This course is right for you if you are almost ready to enter the profession and have a strategy for refining or developing specific skills to make the transition. It is designed to enable students to make the most of the artistic and educational opportunities afforded by the Academy and its location in the heart of London.

Specialisms

1. Side-by-side activity alongside internal and/or visiting professors. (Workshops and rehearsals as well as concert activity.)
2. Developing critical and verbal skills for teaching and/or entrepreneurship and/or public communication, choosing from a range of PG electives as appropriate; minimum class attendance will be required.
3. Chamber music – either as member of an existing ensemble(s), or with the aim of establishing new collaborations.
4. Leadership: ensemble direction, principal roles in orchestra, other aspects of mentoring.
5. Recording focus – enrolment on Self-recording and Self-editing elective mandatory.
6. Performer embedded in Composition and Contemporary Music Department (where applicable).
7. A specific project (or projects) resulting in live performance(s) and/or a recording.
8. Ensemble piano partnership development
9. HiP specialisms (repertoire and/or instruments)
10. Extended instrument family specialisms (bass clarinet, etc.)
11. Any compositional specialism (where applicable)

Entry Requirements

• Performance: A performance (or compositional, where applicable) standard at least equivalent to a Distinction at Master’s level.
• Academic: A Master’s qualification or equivalent (in a relevant subject), but the Academy welcomes applications from students who may not meet the usual academic requirements.

Applying for both the Professional Diploma and Advanced Professional Diploma pathways

Students completing the Professional Diploma (PD) in June will also be eligible to apply to the Advanced Professional Diploma (APD) as a nine-month enrolment starting the following September in Year 2 of the course.

The first year of the APD is identical to the PD, meaning that the PD will be a potential exit award for students unable to continue into, or complete, the second year of the APD.

If you want to apply for either of these courses alongside your main application, you do not need to create a second profile or submit a new application on UCAS Conservatoires.

Instead, simply follow these two steps:

1. Opt-in: When prompted in Acceptd, indicate that you would like to be considered.
2. Upload your documents: Add the required specialist proposal document (for the Prof Dip) or written requirements (for the Adv Prof Dip) directly to your existing Acceptd profile.

Auditions and Interviews

We view the audition process as an open artistic dialogue rather than a rigid test. Our panel of distinguished creators is looking for your unique compositional voice, your artistic independence, and your potential for growth. We want you to relax, focus on sharing your creative vision, and let us get to know you as an artist.

As an Advanced Professional Diploma applicant, your application is centred around a major independent project or specialised creative pathway.

You must submit a proposal in Acceptd covering the points below if you wish to be considered for the Advanced Professional Diploma. The guide length is 1,500 words.

• Outline the skills that you wish to develop during the APD, drawing on an area of specialism as indicated in the descriptive text for the programme - please see the Courses page . Include a brief account of how development of these skills supports your career aims.
• Give examples of the repertoire, activities and/or projects that you envisage playing a part in your studies. Include any external commitments currently scheduled or in planning.
• What aspects of your musical studies so far are most relevant to these plans?
• Are there any particular members of Academy staff (in addition to a Principal Study professor) you would be keen to receive guidance from during the programme?

Candidates applying for the Advanced Professional Diploma in Composition are assessed through a two-stage process: a Round One digital portfolio screening followed by a Round Two interview recall.

Your Portfolio Requirements

 You must submit your digital portfolio via the Acceptd portal containing:

Portfolio Guidelines:

• Score requirements: You should submit clear PDF scores of at least four substantial recent works that best represent your current creative direction and technical control.
• Instrumentation: Your scores should demonstrate a variety of forces, showing your ability to write across different ensembles or acoustic settings.
• Audio-visual Elements: A high-quality audio or video recording of the work should also be uploaded.
  • Note: Live concert or professional studio recordings are highly preferred. However, if these are unavailable, high-quality computer-generated mock-ups are fully acceptable.
• Programme Notes: You may optionally include a short descriptive programme note for the pieces in the portfolio, but this is not compulsory.
• Style Boundaries: There are no style constraints or aesthetic restrictions; the panel evaluates all submissions purely on your creative individuality and technical accomplishment.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A current copy of your CV detailing your education, masterclasses, commissions, performances, and list of works.
• Spoken English Introduction: A short recorded video. You should use this to introduce yourself, briefly summarise the artistic concepts behind your portfolio, and explain how the Advanced Professional Diploma fits into your immediate professional ambitions.
• Proposal Document as detailed above.

Please note that actual files must be uploaded directly; the panel does not accept external links to YouTube, Dropbox, or other external hosting sites.

What to Expect: Assessment & Recalls

Round One: Portfolio Review

The Composition department entry panel reviews all digital portfolios under a strict deadline framework. This serves as the direct equivalent of an instrumentalist's practical first-round audition. Candidates will be notified in early November if they have been shortlisted to advance to the next stage.

Round Two: Interview & Tasks

If you are selected for a Round Two recall interview, the process incorporates practical and conversational elements:

• The Composition Exercise: Seven days before your scheduled interview date, you will receive a short composition exercise via email.
• The Panel Discussion: A detailed discussion with members of the Composition faculty regarding your submitted scores, your structural choices, your notation methods, and your creative workflow, and exploring your broader musical background, your artistic influences, your professional experience, and your immediate career goals.  A significant portion of this session will evaluate the feasibility, scope, and creative aims of your written project proposal.

In your Acceptd application profile, you will be able to indicate whether you prefer this session to be in person in London or online.

Candidates for the Advanced Professional Diploma may also participate in a structured conversation with a postgraduate programme tutor to discuss study plans, usually on the day of the panel interview.

Please note: Diploma candidates will be asked within their Acceptd profile to state if they also wish to be considered for alternative postgraduate courses, such as the Master of Music (MMus) or Master of Arts (MA). Your course choice is not final; your study length and creative pathway can be discussed and adjusted with the panel during your interview.

For more information see auditions.