Composition

Professional Diploma (Composition)
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Overview

The Academy’s Professional Diploma is a one-of-a-kind programme for students who are looking for a specially tailored extra year of study to provide a competitive edge in building a career. The course is for composition candidates who wish to follow a particular area of focus within or connected to their Principal Study. It is a one-year specialist and intensive Diploma at Level 7 within the UK Qualifications and Credit Framework (post-Masters). 

Candidates should have the potential and aspiration to succeed at the highest international standard. Applicants must normally hold a postgraduate degree and put forward a project proposal outlining what they hope to achieve.

It is a highly focused combination of one-to-one tuition and professional development activity built around the needs of each individual student in consultation with the ProfDip Programme Tutor and the relevant Head of Department. Applicants will normally have completed a master’s degree but the programme is available to all applicants of the appropriate standard.

Examples of elective modules

  • Analysis and Aesthetics (Alex Hills)
  • Approaching the Great Luthiers (George Zacharias)
  • Attentive Listening (Roderick Chadwick)
  • Audio Recording Techniques (Andrew Lang)
  • Beyond the Score: Communicating With Audiences (Gerard Mcburney)
  • Composition Pathway (David Gorton)
  • Concert Workshop (Roderick Chadwick)
  • Creative Collaboration: Developing Your Identity as a Professional Artist (Jessica Walker)
  • Creative Programming and Research (Neil Heyde and Briony Cox-williams)
  • Enhanced Performance Techniques (Sophie Langdon)
  • Historically Informed Performance
  • Historical Performance Pathway
  • Advanced Historical Performance Pathway
  • The Interpreter’s Workshop (Daniel-ben Pienaar and Neil Heyde)
  • Leadership Skills for Artists (Gwendolyn Tietze)
  • Open Academy Pathway (Julian West)
  • Performing Experimental Music (Alex Hills)
  • Performing French Music (Roy Howat)
  • Practical Conducting Pathway (Dominic Grier)
  • Soundbox (Peter Sheppard Skærved)
  • Studio Performance (Amy Blier-carruthers)

Entry Requirements

  • 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.
  • Composition: A composition standard at least equivalent to recognised postgraduate degrees and a clear sense of a direction (specialism) for further study.

You must complete a proposal document if you wish to be considered for the Professional Diploma. Your proposal should be included in your Acceptd profile.

Using the template below, please provide a one-page proposal outlining your chosen particular specialism and your intended individual learning outcomes for the course.

The aim of the Professional Diploma is to provide a platform for specialist professional development, which will allow you to follow a particular area of focus within or connected to your Principal Study.

There are several areas in which we recognise particular needs:

  • Historical Performance
  • Change of discipline (for example Piano to Piano Accompaniment)
  • Related instrument specialisms
  • Chamber Music (to be explored in detail at approval)
  • New Music
  • Compositional specialisms (e.g. working with other media)
  • Special repertoire projects
  • Collaborative Recording Production

This is not an exhaustive list and we could consider individual applications for other specialisms.

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. Relax, focus on sharing your creative vision, and let us get to know you as an artist.

The Professional Diploma selection process is integrated into our postgraduate assessment framework, focused on identifying creators with an advanced level of artistic maturity.

Your Portfolio Requirements (Round One)

To apply for the Professional Diploma, you must upload a digital portfolio to the Acceptd portal by the designated deadline containing:

  • Three Original Scores: A portfolio of three substantial recent works that best represent your current creative direction and technical control.
  • Audio or Video Recordings: Supporting recordings for all three submitted scores.
    • Note: Live concert or professional studio recordings are highly preferred. However, if these are unavailable, high-quality MIDI or computer-generated mock-ups are fully acceptable.

What to Expect at the Audition Recall (Round Two)

Following the panel's review of your initial portfolio, selected candidates will be invited to a Round Two interview. In your application profile, you will be able to indicate whether you prefer this session to be in person in London or online.

  • Portfolio Discussion: A detailed discussion with members of the Composition faculty regarding your submitted scores, your structural choices, your notation methods, and your creative workflow.
  • Postgraduate Interview: A collaborative conversation exploring your broader musical background, your artistic influences, your professional experience, and your immediate career goals.

Guidelines for Remote / Video Applicants

If you are applying from outside the UK and indicate in your application profile that you cannot attend the live sessions in London, your assessment will be managed entirely digitally.

  • The Spoken Video Introduction: Your digital Acceptd profile must include a short spoken introduction recording in English. You should use this video to introduce yourself, briefly summarise the artistic concepts behind your portfolio, and explain how the Professional Diploma fits into your immediate professional ambitions.
  • Online Interview Recall: If your portfolio passes the initial screening stage, you will be invited to a live online interview with the composition faculty. The assessment criteria, depth of discussion, and portfolio evaluation are completely identical to the live London format.

Please note: The Professional Diploma is designed for composers who already hold a Master's degree or equivalent professional experience. Your ultimate course placement remains flexible; the panel may discuss and recommend a different postgraduate pathway (such as the MMus or MA) during your interview if they feel it better matches your academic needs.

For more information see auditions.

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