Prepare for a career on the world’s most prestigious stages

Royal Academy Opera (RAO) functions as a small opera company and a bridge to the profession.

'The standard of performances is absolutely amazing – not just the singing but the acting, the stagecraft, the whole bundle. Royal Academy Opera students are being given everything they need to succeed'
Dame Felicity Lott DBE

The two-year postgraduate course*, which includes invaluable performance experience, is for exceptionally talented singers with the potential and aspiration to succeed as principals at the highest levels. Generous scholarships are available for RAO students.

Our highly focused study environment includes one-to-one tuition, group classes and opera scenes, as well as three fully staged productions per year, which are regularly attended by representatives from opera companies, artist agencies and the national press.

You will work closely with distinguished in-house professors and international visiting artists, and will also benefit from acting and movement classes, language coaching and classes in many other areas of professional development.

*For undergraduate training and study at Master's level, see Vocal Studies.

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Discovery Events are the perfect way to find out more about the Academy and whether it’s the right place for you.

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Duotone red and black image of an accordion players looking upwards on stage, covered in a spotlight