Piano

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

Side-by-side activity alongside internal and/or visiting professors. (Workshops and rehearsals as well as concert activity.)
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.
Chamber music – either as member of an existing ensemble(s), or with the aim of establishing new collaborations.
Leadership: ensemble direction, principal roles in orchestra, other aspects of mentoring.
Recording focus – enrolment on Self-recording and Self-editing elective mandatory.
Performer embedded in Composition and Contemporary Music Department (where applicable).
A specific project (or projects) resulting in live performance(s) and/or a recording.
Ensemble piano partnership development
HiP specialisms (repertoire and/or instruments)
Extended instrument family specialisms (bass clarinet, etc.)
Any compositional specialism (where applicable)

Guides, Handbooks & Specifications

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:

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.

The Piano Department: What to expect

We aim to develop you into a complete, individual artist equipped with all the essential skills for a great modern career.

Masterclasses & Visiting Professors

Dedicated Mentorship: Every student is assigned a world-class piano professor, chamber music professor, and academic tutor, alongside weekly informal repertoire classes.
Dynamic Visiting Faculty: Benefit from termly classes and one-to-one tuition from distinguished visiting professors, including Dame Imogen Cooper, Leif Ove Andsnes, Yevgeny Sudbin, Pascal Rogé, Steven Osborne, Neil Brand (improvising to film), and Adrian Brendel (chamber music).
Celebrated Masterclasses: Regular guest tuition from world-renowned artists such as Igor Levit, Alfred Brendel, Garrick Ohlsson, Inon Barnatan, and Gabriela Montero.

Developing your career

Concerto & Conducting Skills: Receive expert coaching in conducting from the keyboard from Timothy Redmond, collaborate with Head of Conducting Sian Edwards and her students, and access concerto exams and performance opportunities.
Early Keyboards: Access training on harpsichord, fortepiano, and early piano with Carole Cerasi, Steven Devine, and Jane Chapman, utilizing the Academy Museum's Piano Gallery.
Chamber & Lieder Coaching: Participate in regular coaching sessions with Adrian Brendel, James Baillieu, and other acclaimed chamber musicians.
Cross-Arts & Contemporary Music: Engage in groundbreaking cross-arts and multimedia collaborations, public speaking classes, composition lessons, transcription training, and the contemporary-focused 'Piano Lab' series.
Improvisation & Digital Skills: Expand your versatility with jazz classes from Dominic Alldis, film improvisation with Neil Brand, and digital skills training with Sofia Sacco to build websites, manage social media, and edit recordings.
Professional Career Sessions: Attend termly sessions led by Joanna MacGregor covering essential industry business skills, including finding an agent, securing performance work, creating recordings, diary management, and establishing independent festivals or ensembles.

Concerts, recordings and festivals

Prestige Venues & Broadcasting: Perform in the year-round Academy Piano Series at Wigmore Hall, alongside opportunities at Steinway Hall, Southbank Centre, King’s Place, St James’s Piccadilly, UK festivals, music clubs, and broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4.
Recording Debuts & Competitions: Receive annual support and marketing guidance to produce a debut recording, alongside active encouragement to enter international piano competitions.
On-Site Festivals: Showcase your work in the exuberant, student-driven Autumn and Summer Piano Festivals, which featured over 60 student pianists performing to large public audiences this year.

Auditions & Assessment

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 technical command, and your potential for growth. Try to relax, focus on your storytelling through the instrument, and let us hear who you are as a musician.

Candidates applying for the Advanced Professional Diploma are assessed through a combination of a specialised digital video portfolio, written submissions, and a practical audition process.

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?

Your Audition Repertoire & Portfolio

As an Advanced Professional Diploma applicant, your application relies heavily on an independent project or specialised performance pathway. You must submit both a performance portfolio and a written project proposal via the Acceptd portal.

Portfolio Guidelines:

Video Portfolio Requirement: Your Acceptd profile must include video recordings of a minimum of two works of your own choice from contrasting periods and/or featuring contrasting musical challenges.
Specialism Focus: At least one of the pieces in your video portfolio should relate in some way to your proposed project specialism.
Recording Standard: Each item must be an unedited performance, recorded either as a captured live performance or under 'studio' conditions. If your project specialism includes an ensemble focus, you should ensure that ensemble work is included in these recordings.
Written Proposal: You must submit a comprehensive written project proposal outlining your intended research or performance focus for the diploma course.

What to Expect on Audition Day

1. Delivery Options & Assessment Procedures

In-Person Candidates (London): Your video portfolio and written proposal will normally be reviewed by the specialist panel before your live audition date. On your audition day, you will complete a live practical audition and a specialist interview.
Video & International Centre Candidates: If you are auditioning entirely by video or at an overseas audition centre, you can use the performance videos from your core Accordion audition submission if they are appropriate, or you can choose to upload separate, dedicated recordings to fulfil the portfolio requirement.

2. Academic & Project Interview

All Advanced Professional Diploma candidates will participate in an interview with postgraduate programme tutors. This session is an opportunity to discuss your future study plans, your artistic direction, and the specific details of your written project proposal.

In addition to the practical elements and interview, your digital application profile must contain:

Spoken English Introduction: A short recorded verbal introduction introducing yourself to the faculty panel.
Academic Written Requirements: Any supporting documentation or essays as detailed on the main entry requirements page.

Please note: Diploma candidates will be asked within their Acceptd profile to state if they also wish to be considered for alternative postgraduate courses. Your course choice is not final; your study length and pathway can be discussed and adjusted with the panel during your assessment.

For more information see auditions.