A Guide to Junior RNCM Admissions
Inchwise Research · Conservatoire Admissions Unit
Data current to 8 October 2026. Applies to entry in September 2027.
In brief
Junior RNCM is the Saturday department of the Royal Northern College of Music, taught at the College itself, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9RD. The College describes it as a community of young musicians aged 8 to 18.
There are two sections: the full Junior programme, charged as Junior (Standard), and the Foundation Section for the youngest students, a shortened day charged as Junior (Foundation).
The entry standard is given as a rough guide of at least ABRSM Grade 5 with distinction. The beginning of Year 12 is the last point of entry, and students are re-auditioned each year to keep their place.
Only 2025/26 fees are published: £4,751 (Standard) and £3,368 (Foundation). There is a one-off audition fee of £30.
No dates for 2027 entry are published as of 8 October 2026. The published pattern is auditions each March and April for entry in September.
01 What the Department Is
A Saturday department of the Royal Northern College of Music, taught at the College itself — 124 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9RD. No separate Junior RNCM campus is named.
The College describes Junior RNCM as “a vibrant community of gifted young musicians aged 8 to 18”. Students attend every Saturday during term time.
Published term dates for 2026-27: Autumn 12 September to 5 December; Spring 9 January to 20 March; Summer 10 April to 10 July. Saturday start and finish times are not published.
Students come from across the North West and further afield, including Wales, the Midlands, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.
02 Ages and Entry Points
Ages 8 to 18. The FAQ wording is that students “generally range in age from 8 to 18”.
The beginning of Year 12 is the last point of entry. The FAQ adds that students have joined in Year 13 before, and that some have stayed for a gap year.
The College prefers students to stay for a minimum of two years; the how-to-apply page states that students usually study for a minimum of two years.
Students are re-auditioned each year to keep their place.
03 Standard of Entry
“As a rough guide we are looking for at least ABRSM Grade 5 with distinction.” The FAQ notes that younger applicants may not yet have this.
The how-to-apply page states that younger applicants are expected to have an ABRSM Grade 5 distinction on their principal study instrument.
Entry is described as highly competitive. Successful candidates are described as showing musicality, commitment, and potential for conservatoire-level study.
04 What the Saturday Consists Of
Full curriculum, as published:
principal study: 1 hour
second study: three quarters of an hour
musicianship / improvisation: three quarters of an hour
theory / harmony / composition: three quarters of an hour
chamber music coaching: three quarters of an hour; sight-singing for vocalists
one of the following, as directed by the Head of Junior RNCM: orchestral training (2 hours), brass band (one and a half hours), vocal ensemble (2 hours), jazz ensemble (one and a half hours), or percussion ensemble (one and a half hours)
Full Juniors may also take part in Big Band, Brass Band, Percussion Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Vocal Ensemble and Wind Ensemble.
Foundation Section, a shortened day at a reduced fee:
principal study: 1 hour
second study: three quarters of an hour
eurhythmics class: three quarters of an hour
theory: three quarters of an hour
Foundation Choir: three quarters of an hour
Foundation students are expected to become full Juniors once their technical ability and physical stamina are sufficient; younger students move to a fuller timetable once they can complete a full day's activities. Each timetable is tailored to the student's specialism.
Further published rules: students take weekly instrument lessons with Junior RNCM and cannot take lessons with outside teachers; they may join ensembles outside Junior RNCM if there is enough practice time during the week; most students choose piano as second study, though this is flexible; ABRSM exams are optional and taken only on a tutor's recommendation, not normally in the first term with a new teacher, and students should not take two practical exams in one session, with exam fees invoiced to parents later; parents are expected to ensure regular attendance, and absences must be requested in advance from the Head of Junior RNCM.
Around three-quarters of leavers go on to study music.
05 First Studies Offered
Keyboard: piano, jazz piano, organ.
Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar.
Wind, brass and percussion: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, recorder, saxophone, French horn, trumpet and cornet, trombone, tenor horn, euphonium, tuba, percussion.
Voice: vocal studies.
Composition is described as a particular strength, with named tutors. Conducting is offered to older students, with named tutors. Jazz is provided through jazz piano and a Jazz Ensemble.
06 Fees, 2025-26
The published heading is “Fees and Finance”, and the body text reads “Fees for 2025/26 are”:
Junior (Standard): £4,751
Junior (Foundation): £3,368
No 2026-27 or 2027-28 fee is published as of 8 October 2026.
Fees are payable in advance annually, termly, or by standing order over ten months. Withdrawal requires one term's notice.
07 The Audition Fee
There is a one-off audition fee of £30. After the application form is submitted, the College contacts the applicant about payment.
08 Applying: the Two Rounds
Junior RNCM admits on a single live audition rather than a video round.
Applications are made through the Apply Now link to the Junior RNCM application portal. The form is submitted first, and the £30 fee is paid when the College makes contact.
At the audition:
the panel includes the Head of Junior Programmes and a specialist in the candidate's principal study
candidates must use the official accompanist and arrange rehearsal time beforehand
two contrasting pieces are prepared on the principal study instrument or voice, and one piece on the second study if applicable
there may also be sight reading on the principal study, theory questions, and an aural test
the panel asks about general music interests, previous experience, and future aspirations
Placement with tutors is at the discretion of the Head of Junior Programmes, though preferences are considered. Results are given shortly after the audition and are final.
Published dates: selection is made following auditions held each March and April for entry in September. Applications for September 2026 entry opened on Friday 30 January and closed on Friday 6 March 2026. The Open Day was Saturday 7 February 2026, in a morning or afternoon session, booked through an online form; the FAQ states the Open Day is usually held in February, with booking opening in mid-December. No dates for 2027 entry are published as of 8 October 2026.
09 Bursaries and Government Funding
“We have a limited number of scholarships and bursaries available for cases of financial hardship.” Applications open after auditions and offers are made. The contact given is the Junior RNCM Administrator, 0161 907 5264.
The how-to-apply and fees page lists the Department for Education Music and Dance Scheme among supporters. The page does not state how to apply for the scheme or how it relates to fees, and the Junior RNCM FAQs do not mention it.
Scholarship and bursary amounts, eligibility criteria, application deadline and the number of awards are not published.
10 The Language Condition
No language requirement is stated on any Junior RNCM page.
11 What the Department Does Not Say
Not published as of 8 October 2026:
2026-27 and 2027-28 fees; only 2025/26 is published
application opening and closing dates for September 2027 entry
2027 audition dates; only the general pattern of March and April is published
2027-28 term dates
scholarship and bursary amounts, eligibility criteria, application deadline or number of awards
how the Music and Dance Scheme applies to Junior RNCM, or how to apply for it
Saturday start and finish times
any language requirement
12 Points to Confirm Before Applying
With the department, before an application is made:
the 2027-28 fee for the Standard and Foundation sections
the application window and audition dates for September 2027 entry
whether the applicant would be placed in the Foundation Section or as a full Junior, and the fee that follows
the Saturday start and finish time for that section
how to apply for a scholarship or bursary, and by when
whether the Music and Dance Scheme is available at Junior RNCM and how it is applied for
that the applicant can stop lessons with an outside teacher, since Junior RNCM students take lessons within the department
Sources
Royal Northern College of Music · Junior RNCM (retrieved 8 October 2026): https://www.rncm.ac.uk/study-here/junior-rncm/
Royal Northern College of Music · Junior RNCM how to apply and fees (retrieved 8 October 2026): https://www.rncm.ac.uk/study-here/junior-rncm/how-to-apply-and-fees/
Royal Northern College of Music · Junior RNCM FAQs (retrieved 8 October 2026): https://www.rncm.ac.uk/study-here/junior-rncm/junior-rncm-faqs/
GOV.UK · Music and Dance Scheme (last updated 24 September 2026): https://www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme
Inchwise · A Guide to UK Conservatoire Junior Departments: https://inchwise.co.uk/guides/a-guide-to-uk-conservatoire-junior-departments
About This Guide
Inchwise is a London education consultancy working with families whose children study music seriously. This guide records what the institution publishes, and the date each fact was retrieved. Inchwise is not affiliated with the institution and does not predict admission outcomes.
Where a decision depends on something this guide records as not published, the institution’s own admissions office is the only source that can confirm it.