Overview
The Advanced Artist Diploma (AAD) is a one-year course for a select group of instrumentalists at the highest level.
The programme supports development of a range of industry-related skills (as appropriate to your individual profile) with mentoring provided in addition to one-to-one lessons. Successful applicants will be ready to take full advantage of a recording opportunity with world-class production and special release arrangements on major streaming platforms and/or record labels.
AAD students will be required to self-manage critical aspects of the delivery of the recording, and the range of work undertaken during the programme, in line with professional expectations. The programme is at level 8 of the FHEQ, which demands a high level of autonomy and initiative, as well as highly developed artistry.
This course is right for you if you are on the cusp of an international career and aim to develop musical collaborations at a corresponding level. 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.
Entry Requirements
- Performance: You are required to have a performance standard at least equivalent to a Distinction at Master’s level.
- Academic: You are also required to have 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.
You will also need to include the following three items in your Acceptd profile:
- a repertoire list (repertoire that has been at performance level or that is being prepared for performance, or has been learnt recently, including the titles of the pieces as well as the composers' names).
- recording portfolio (a text list of your professional recordings, with links or details of the CD/DVD where possible)
- your ideas for the year, including a list of professional engagements to which you are already committed
Assessment
All Advanced Artist Diploma applicants take part in a formal Academic Assessment interview.
During this session, you will meet with members of the postgraduate academic staff to discuss:
- Your individual study plans and artistic ambitions.
- A detailed review of your project proposal, evaluating the scope and academic rigor of your intended creative outcomes.
Please note: Your performance and academic reviews are handled in tandem to determine overall suitability for this highly specialised level of study.
See entry requirements for full information, including English language requirements.
Recent Alumni & Student Successes
We’re proud to see Academy guitarists lead the way with diverse, international careers. Some of their recent successes include:
- Tohi Harada (undergraduate)
Awarded First Prize at the 2025 Ivor Mairants Guitar Award, administered by the Worshipful Company of Musicians
Awarded 'Grand Prize' and 'Rodrigo Prize' at the 14th Joaquín Rodrigo Guitar Competition in Olsztyn, Poland - Declan Hickey (alum)
Awarded Second Prize at the 2025 Ivor Mairants Guitar Award - Plínio Fernandes (alum)
Second recording Bacheando released as an exclusive Decca Gold Recording Artist - Alexandra Whittingham (alum)
Recording contract with Decca - Giacomo Susani (alum)
Carnegie Hall debut in New York performing his own Guitar Concerto; Artistic Director of the Barco Teatro Festival in Padova (Italy) - Michael Butten (alum)
2nd Prize at the Francisco Tárrega competition in Benicasim (Spain); new CD, issued by First Hand Records, of music from the two Elizabethan ages - Maryna Vosmirova and Ernest Syrota (undergraduates); Declan Hickey, Davide Magni and Goncalo Maia Caetano (postgraduates)
Selected by the International Guitar Foundation for its Young Artist Platform - Goncalo Maia Caetano (undergraduate)
2nd Prize in the 'Gallery of Guitars' international competition (Scotland) - Georgi Dimitrov (postgraduate)
Naxos CD and solo recital of works by Bach at the Leipzig Bach Festival
Co-Holder of the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ New Elizabethan Award 2024-25 - Petar Jovanovic and Tohi Harada (undergraduates); Georgi Dimitrov (postgraduate)
Awarded the Julian Bream Trust scholarships for 2024-25 - Gus McQuade (postgraduate) and Eleanor Grant (alum; soprano/double-bass)
Selected by the City Music Foundation for its Young Artists scheme
