APD - Contemporary Music

Would you like to challenge and explore your existing artistic practice through a self-selected artistic development project? Are you interested in identifying, discussing, and contextualising questions and issues related to your artistic field of study? 

Would you like to meet students at the same high level? And do you want to be part of an open and inspiring study environment with students from other artistic environments and disciplines?

Then the APD in Contemporary Music at RMC offers you the best opportunities.

The APD at RMC is anchored in a self-selected project based on one or more research questions that you formulate yourself. The self-selected project is based on your artistic practice and serves as the prism through which you carry out your artistic work during the two years of the programme.

The self-selected project should be an extension of your current artistic practice, but at the same time point to something that is still unknown to you; something that needs to be explored and illuminated.

In the APD, it is a prerequisite that you are already working in a clear and exploratory artistic practice at the start of the program and that you are prepared to further develop your own practice through an experimental and process-oriented approach, in which exploration and reflection meet in a constant interaction. It is also essential that you are willing to share your artistic investigations and reflections with teachers and fellow students, so that the artistic process is made as transparent as possible.

During the programme, you will gain experience and insight into practice-based artistic development work, and you will be able to transfer your artistic practice to other areas and identify possible related career opportunities. 

The core focus of the programme is to enable you to expand your artistic understanding and to be able to communicate and realise these insights to the fullest. 

The APD covers artistic practice and artistic development, as well as a course in entrepreneurship. The programme focuses on contemporary music through the development of your artistic practice, including the ability to carry out reflective, independent artistic development. 

The programme lasts two years (120 ECTS), is a full-time study with compulsory attendance, and concludes on one of RMC's stages with a public presentation and a public performance or similar, accompanied by a portfolio containing your reflections and documentation of your artistic work, processes, and results.

On the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme, we aim to create an environment where a wide range of artistic practices are represented; you are therefore welcome to apply for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme regardless of your institutional background.

Applicants for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme must hold a relevant Masters degree from a music conservatory, or equivalent qualifications obtained in another way, demonstrated through artistic practice of a similarly high standard.

The entrance examination takes place in two rounds. 
All applicants who meet the entry requirement will have their application assessed in round 1 of the entrance examination.

You apply online via Studieoptag, where you create a profile, fill in the application form and upload your material for both the first and second rounds of the entrance examination.

The application deadline is 1 December at 12:00 noon CET. 

The application fee is 600 DKK.

The programme normally admits 8 students.

Find out more about the requirements for the material under About the application in the drop-down menu.

Find out more about the audition process under About the entrance examination in the drop-down menu.

On the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme, we aim to create an environment where a wide range of artistic practices are represented; you are therefore welcome to apply for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme regardless of your institutional background.

As an applicant for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme, you must:

• hold a relevant Masters degree in music from a conservatory, or be expected to have completed a relevant Masters degree in music from a conservatory by 1 July at the latest;
  or
• possess equivalent qualifications acquired by other means, demonstrated through artistic practice of a similarly high standard.

When applying for the programme, you must create a profile on Studieoptag, fill out the application form, and upload your material for the entrance exam. 

The application must contain

Documentation of entry qualifications

Masters degree qualifying for entry

• If you have completed a relevant Masters degree at a music conservatory, you must upload your degree certificate, including the Diploma Supplement, which must have been issued by the institution that awarded your degree. (file format: pdf)
• If you expect to complete a relevant Masters study programme from a music conservatory, you must upload academic records for the modules you have passed at the time of application and attach the study programme’s curriculum. (file format: pdf)

It is a prerequisite for commencing the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme that you provide evidence of having passed the Masters programme by 1 July 2027 at the latest.

Qualifications obtained by other means

• If you hold qualifications obtained by other means but which may be equivalent to a Masters degree from a conservatory, the conservatory will assess these qualifications.
• As a basis for the conservatory’s assessment, you must upload the following documentation:
  • A comprehensive professional CV, documentation of artistic activity, reviews, etc.
  • Audio material: You must upload audio or video material (e.g. compositions, documentation of works, live recordings, etc., in full or as excerpts) which you consider relevant and which demonstrates your artistic practice. Total duration: 25–30 minutes (maximum 10 files, format: mp3 or mp4).
  • A precise description of your own role and, where applicable, the roles of others in relation to the uploaded material. (maximum 200 keystrokes per uploaded file)

NB! All written documentation must be in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish or English.

NB! Material relating to your qualifications, acquired by means other than a Masters degree, will solely form part of the conservatory’s assessment of whether you possess qualifications equivalent to a Masters degree from a music conservatory. 
Other supporting documents will not be taken into account in the assessment.

If you wish to include parts of this material in your portfolio for assessment in round 1, you must also upload the material under Portfolio.

Portfolio

• Written application
  • Describe your artistic background and your general reasons for applying for admission to the study programme (maximum 500 keystrokes);
  • Describe your artistic and professional goals, and how you envisage the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme helping you to achieve these goals (maximum 500 keystrokes);
  • Describe what you envisage as a potential artistic development project to be explored and developed during the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme (maximum 3,000 keystrokes), including:
    • The project’s intention and the resources you have to realise it.
    • The core questions and contextual setting of the artistic development project.
    • Planned working methods.
       
• CV
  • Focusing on those aspects of your practice which you consider relevant to the study programme. 
    (maximum 2,400 keystrokes)
     
• Audio material
  • You must upload audio or video material (e.g. compositions, documentation of works, live recordings, etc., in full or as excerpts) that you consider relevant and which demonstrates your artistic practice.
  • You must upload 2-3 examples, with a total duration of 15 minutes. 
    (file format: mp3 or mp4)
     
• Additional information
  • A precise description of your own role, and any other roles, in relation to the uploaded material. (maximum 200 keystrokes per uploaded file)

Application fee

The application fee is 600 DKK. The fee covers part of RMC's costs for processing applications and conducting entrance exams. The fee is non-refundable after the application deadline has passed.

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is 1 December at 12:00 noon CET. If this date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, the application deadline is 12:00 noon CET on the next working day.

See also the FAQ about application and entrance examination in the drop-down menu.

Do you have any questions about the application form? See the FAQ about application and entrance exam in the dropdown menu.

The entrance examination for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme takes place in two rounds, during which the assessment panel evaluates:

Round 1: Your portfolio – you will not be present in person
Round 2: Presentation and interview – examination at RMC

All applicants who meet the entry requirements will have their applications assessed during round 1 of the entrance examination.

Round 1 – Assessment of the submitted portfolio

On the basis of the submitted portfolio, including a written application, CV and audio material with supplementary information, an assessment panel consisting of two examiners will carry out an overall assessment based on the following criteria: 

• The artistic and contemporary quality of the audio material included in the portfolio;
• The technical skills underpinning the audio material included in the portfolio;
• The perspectives of your potential artistic development project as described in the portfolio;
• Your artistic and academic goals, as described in the portfolio.

The assessment is carried out on a 100-point scale, which is a subdivision of the 7-point scale. You must achieve a minimum of 40 points, corresponding to 02 on the 7-point scale, to pass the examination. The assessment is based on the standard required to commence the study programme.

RMC usually selects two to three times as many applicants for round 2 as there are places available on the study programme.

All applicants will receive a response by email. Applicants who progress to round 2 will also receive information about the content and timing of the entrance examination.

Feedback is provided to applicants who have passed round 1 but do not progress to round 2.

Round 2 – Presentation and interview

Round 2 consists of an examination at RMC, which you must attend in person.
The assessment is carried out by an assessment panel comprising three examiners.

The examination lasts a total of 30 minutes and comprises:

Presentation, in which you present your own artistic work that demonstrates your artistic practice in a relevant way. (15 minutes)

• During the presentation, you may perform live and/or present recorded audio or video.
• Scores or other relevant documentation of your work may be included in the presentation;
• The material presented in round 2 of the entrance examination must not be identical to any material you uploaded as part of your application portfolio;
• If you are performing live as part of your presentation, you may bring a maximum of four other performers with you, and they may only be in the room during the presentation itself.

Interview between you and the assessment panel. (15 minutes) 

• The interview will be based on the presentation and the proposed project as set out in the submitted portfolio.

Based on your presentation and the interview, including your reflections on your submitted portfolio, an overall assessment will be made according to the following criteria:

• The artistic and contemporary quality of the material presented during the presentation;
• The technical skills underpinning the material presented during the presentation;
• The perspectives within your proposed artistic development project, as described in the portfolio;
• Your artistic and professional goals, as described in the portfolio;
• Your ability to reflect on your own artistic practice, including your ability to curate, share and contextualise your own artistic practice.

Admission

The applicants who have achieved the highest scores in round 2 of the assessment will be offered a place on the study programme.

Normally, 5–6 students are admitted to the study programme.

Please note that the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma programme has a limited number of study places, and that you will be admitted on the basis of a specific assessment of your abilities and skills.

Due to the limited number of study places, the conservatory may have to turn down applicants even if they have passed the entrance examination.

You will be notified by email whether you have been admitted.

All unsuccessful applicants will be offered a brief telephone conversation with the leading examiner, who will explain the assessment result in more detail, based on the assessment criteria used.

A limited number of qualified applicants who are not admitted due to a limited number of study places may be placed on the waiting list.
Until 1 July, applicants on the waiting list may be offered a study place if any become available.

See also FAQs on applications and the entrance examination in the drop-down menu.

Questions about the application

Who can apply?
Applicants for the APD programme must have a relevant Masters degree from a music conservatory - or equivalent qualifications acquired in other ways, demonstrated in artistic practice at a similarly high level.

How do I apply?
You apply online via Studieoptag, where you create a profile, fill in the application form, and upload your files.

When is the application deadline?
1 December at 12:00 noon CET. If the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, it will be moved to the next working day.

Can I apply for more than one programme at RMC?
Yes, you can apply for multiple programmes at RMC. The entrance exams are not coordinated.

Can I apply to other conservatories?
Yes, RMC's entrance exam is independent of other conservatories. You are welcome to apply to multiple places, including multiple programmes at RMC, but the entrance exams are not coordinated.

Is there a fee to apply?
Yes, the application fee is DKK 600. The fee covers part of RMC's expenses for the entrance exams and is non-refundable. If you apply for multiple programmes, you must pay a fee for each programme you apply for.

What should the application contain?
You can read about this in the section About the application in the drop-down menu. 

What should I do if I do not have a qualifying Masters degree?
You can read about this in the section About the application in the drop-down menu. 

Questions about the entrance examination

Who will be invited to the entrance examination?
All applicants who meet the admission requirements will have their applications assessed in the first round of the entrance examination.

How is the entrance exam structured?
You can read about this in the section About the entrance examination in the drop-down menu. 

What is assessed at the entrance exam?
You can read about this in the section About the entrance examination in the drop-down menu. 

Are grades given in both rounds?
Yes Grades are given on a 100-point scale, which is a subdivision of the 7-point scale. The assessment is given in relation to the level required to commence the programme.

How many points do I need to pass a round?
You must obtain at least 40 out of 100 points to pass.

How many applicants move on to the second round?
RMC usually selects 2-3 times as many applicants for the second round as are admitted to the programme. Everyone will receive a response by email. Applicants who advance to the second round will also receive information about the content and timing of the examination. 

Practical questions about the entrance exam

What language is the entrance exam conducted in?
The entrance exam is conducted in Danish — or in English, if you prefer.

What happens if I get sick on the day of the entrance exam?
If you fall ill, you may be allowed to sit a make-up exam. This requires a medical certificate, which RMC must receive no later than 3 working days after the exam date. RMC will set the date for the make-up exam, and you will be notified as soon as possible. You cannot choose the date yourself, and you must pay for the medical certificate yourself.

What equipment is available in the exam room?
In the examination room you find:

• Screen (HDMI)
• L’Acoustic PA + Allen & Heath ZED-12FX mixer (room U210 & 211)
• 18” BD jazz drum set
• 20” or 22” BD rock drum set
• TC Electronic RH450 Bass Head + 2 x 12” cabinet or Orange Terror Bass 1000 Bass Head + 4 x 10” cabinet
• AER Amp Two double bass combo 
• Fender Blues Deluxe, Deluxe Reverb or Hot Rod Deluxe guitar combo
• Orange Rockerverb 50 combo
• Yamaha or similar grand piano
• Bag of cymbals + clutch
• Shure SM58 microphones (5 available)
• Microphone stands
• Music stands
• Keyboard stand
• Minijack to mixer
• Jack and XLR cables
• Special adapters are not available – bring your own.

Or similar. We reserve the right to make changes if necessary.
If you wish to use any other equipment, you must bring it yourself, but please note, that you have very limited time for setup.

Do I need to bring any equipment for the second round entrance exam?
If you need any equipment, such as instruments, pedals, or amplifiers, that is not included in the above gear list, you must bring it yourself. If you are performing live, your fellow performers are welcome to bring their own instruments and equipment. Just be aware of how much time you have to set up and pack down.

How long will I have access to the examination room for setup before the entrance exam starts?
You will have access to the examination room approximately 45 minutes before the entrance exam starts.

Can I bring other musicians/accompanists to the presentation?
If you are performing live as (part of) your presentation, you may bring a maximum of four other musicians, and they may only be in the room while they are performing. You are welcome to perform solo.

Do sound technicians count towards the four musicians/accompanists you are allowed to bring?
Yes.

Can other people be present during the interview?
No.

What is the interview about?
The panel will ask questions about your presentation and your application.

After the entrance examination

How many applicants are accepted?
Usually about 5-6 students per year.

Can I get feedback if I am not accepted?
Yes, you will be offered a brief telephone conversation with the leading examiner about your assessment. 

What if I pass but do not get a place? 
A limited number of qualified applicants can be placed on the waiting list. 
Until 1 July, applicants on the waiting list may be offered a place if places become available.

You can read more about the objectives and structure of the study programme in the curriculum, where you will also find detailed descriptions of the individual subjects.

Below you will find the list of teaching staff on the programme in the current study year, permanent academic staff as well as contract teachers.

RMC prioritises diversity in terms of genre and fields of expertise when the entire group of teachers is composed. As a student, you are offered a wide spectrum of professional impulses from permanent teaching staff as well as from contract and external teachers. Within the core subjects of the programme, the teaching performed by the permanent staff will normally not exceed more than two thirds of the total number of teaching hours.

In relation to special courses, projects and similar activities, you will have the opportunity to meet a large number of external teachers.

Artistic Practice & Research

Niels Lyhne Løkkegaard

Lotte Anker

Marcela Lucatelli

Pablo Llambias

Artistic Practice & Research (individuel, faglig vejledning) / (Individual Guidance)

Marcela Lucatelli

Rune Søchting

Abdullah Miniawy

Otis Sandsjö

Pernille Benedicte Weng Ellyton

Abdullah Miniawy

Mia Edelgart

Mikkel Thykier

Claus Haxholm

Thorsten S. Høeg

Entreprenørskab / Entrepreneurship

Christian Taagehøj