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 performance 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.
Classes and Activities
In addition to having one to one piano lessons, the Academy’s répétiteurs keep a busy and varied weekly schedule which includes:
- Playing for main-stage opera production rehearsals and opera scenes rehearsals and performances
- Assisting the conductors, including taking over and conducting orchestral rehearsals where appropriate, and taking notes during rehearsals with orchestra
- Preparing opera choruses
- Observing and participating in coaching and masterclasses by vocal specialists/visiting artists
- Playing for language coaching, including French, Italian and German
- Training and experience in playing recitative/continuo
Keyboard players wanting to specialise as répétiteurs at the Academy work across an exceptional breadth of operatic repertoire spanning the 17th to the 21st centuries.
Working in multiple languages, you will be closely guided and coached by the highly distinguished professors and directors of Royal Academy Opera and the Vocal Faculty.
Our singing and opera professors are dedicated teachers and active performers with global professional careers. They bring a wealth of current industry knowledge and deep insight into all aspects of the modern opera profession.
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.
- Performance: A performance 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.
- Specialist proposal document (word document)
- Specialist proposal document (PDF)
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:
- Opt-in: When prompted in Acceptd, indicate that you would like to be considered.
- 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.
Répétiteur Fellowship Scheme
Candidates applying for our repetiteur training are also assessed for the unique Répétiteur Fellowships (subject to eligibility). Designed as an intensive apprenticeship to support young opera professionals, Fellowships include:
- Financial Support: Generous funding towards living and practical costs, with all educational and mentoring costs covered by the Academy.
- On-the-Job Training: Working as an integral member of the Royal Academy Opera team, including playing for masterclasses, language coaching, and production rehearsals, assisting conductors, and gaining hands-on experience in recitative/continuo.
Auditions
We want you to view your audition as a recital rather than a rigid test. Our panel is looking for your unique musical personality, your advanced pianistic skill, and your collaborative instincts. Try to relax, focus on your communication with the stage, and let us hear who you are as a musician.
The Professional Diploma selection process is integrated into our postgraduate audition framework, consisting of a Round One digital video assessment followed by a Round Two practical recall.
Your Audition Repertoire (Round One)
Round One of the assessment process is conducted entirely by digital video submission. You must upload your performance videos and supporting documentation to the specialist Acceptd portal by the designated deadline.
Repertoire Guidelines:
- Two Ensemble Scenes: You must prepare and record two substantial ensemble scenes, featuring at least three main characters, selected from two different operas.
- Performance Expectations: Your recording must demonstrate your ability to play the orchestral reduction fluidly whilst singing in the vocal lines as far as possible to simulate a real-world production rehearsal.
What to Expect at the Audition Recall (Round Two)
Following the panel's evaluation of your Round One video footage, shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a live Round Two recall assessment.
1. Practical Elements & Vocal Coaching
The live recall is an intensive practical session designed to evaluate your real-time skills in an opera house environment. During this session, you will be expected to demonstrate:
- Score Reading and Conducting: Playing and leading operatic excerpts from the keyboard.
- Vocal Coaching: Working directly with a singer in front of the panel to demonstrate your communication skills, linguistic knowledge, and musical guidance.
- Sight-Reading: Real-time sight-reading of a short operatic extract or contemporary score.
2. Postgraduate Interview
Your practical assessment is paired with an interview with the Head of Opera and senior coaching staff. This conversation will explore your professional experience, your knowledge of operatic repertoire across different languages, your stylistic specialisms, and how this intensive diploma will support your immediate career trajectory.
Digital Profile & Written Requirements
In addition to your performance videos, all applicants must ensure their Acceptd digital profile contains the following core elements:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV highlighting your professional experience, répétiteur background, and list of operatic repertoire studied in depth.
- Spoken English Introduction: A brief recorded verbal introduction introducing yourself and detailing your background to the panel.
Please note: The Professional Diploma is designed for musicians 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 assessment if they feel it better matches your academic needs.
For more information see auditions.