Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
NEW PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMAS LAUNCHING APRIL 1st!
Career Development
Professional Diplomas
Whether you’re an aspiring teacher, musician or performing artist, we recognise your ambition to succeed. You live to create, perform or teach – and the RSL Professional Diploma will help get you there!
Professional Diplomas with a difference
RSL Professional Diplomas equip Creative Industries Professionals with recognition for their practice, whether that’s performance or teaching. Two levels of award support these qualifications which sit along-side undergraduate degree level of study benchmarked against the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in the UK.
Self-study
With 1 year to submit each qualification, the RSL Professional Diplomas offer a flexible route to an accredited qualification.
Specialist Qualifications
For performers or educators alike, these qualifications have been designed to develop and recognise excellence in music and performing arts.
Post Nominals
Wear your AssocRSL or LRSL post nominals after your name with pride! This is your mark of distinction when connecting with peers and industry professionals.
Career Progression
Focus on establishing yourself as a Creative Professional whilst evidencing your skills through employed work, practical training or alongside other academic study. Diplomas can be studied in preparation for, alongside or instead of an undergraduate degree course. They could also be used to enhance your skill-set in your time following graduation.
Online Submission
The bespoke digital system developed by RSL Awards for this qualification will put the submission of work in your hands. You will be able to upload submissions for units and see your progress against key milestones. Units are supported by exemplar material and supporting texts.
Internationally Recognised
RSL qualifications are taken in over 40 countries worldwide. The Professional Diploma qualifications have been designed to equip students for careers in the creative industries, however, they are also regulated qualifications that are benchmarked at undergraduate degree level in the UK. Regulated by Ofqual and with worldwide recognition.
Which Professional Diploma is right for you?
Our Professional Diplomas are designed to recognise the skills and experience of those already working in the creative arts industries. Whether your focus is Teaching or Performance, these qualifications formally acknowledge your professional achievement and expertise.
Each qualification is available at both Level 4 and Level 6, allowing you to choose the level that best matches your experience. You can complete the qualification at your own pace, and while no formal training is required, we recommend working with a trainer or mentor who can support your development and provide practical opportunities to refine your skills.
Performance Diploma
Acknowledges accomplished performers, highlighting your artistic ability, technical skills, stagecraft, and contribution to live or recorded creative performances.
Teaching Diploma
Recognises educators in the creative arts, showcasing your teaching experience, methodology, and impact on student progress and learning outcomes.
Syllabus downloads
Download the Professional Diploma syllabuses and relevant documentation to get started.
RSL Professional Teaching Diploma Syllabus Specification – Level 4
pdf
226.9 KB
RSL Professional Teaching Diploma Syllabus Specification – Level 6
pdf
233.0 KB
RSL Professional Performance Diploma Syllabus Specification – Level 4
pdf
180.7 KB
RSL Professional Performance Diploma Syllabus Specification – Level 6
pdf
180.8 KB
RSL Level 4 Diploma Indicative Repertoire – Music
pdf
199.1 KB
RSL Level 4 Diploma Indicative Repertoire – Performing Arts
pdf
193.7 KB
RSL Level 6 Diploma Indicative Repertoire – Music
pdf
199.5 KB
RSL Level 6 Diploma Indicative Repertoire – Performing Arts
pdf
186.9 KB
Professional Diplomas Fees
See the fees below for RSL’s Professional Diplomas.
| Level | Professional Performance Diploma Price (GBP) | Professional Teaching Diploma Price (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | £290 | £330 |
| Level 6 | £450 | £500 |
Retaking Unit Assessments
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Retaking a unit | £80 per unit |
Enquiries about results / appeals
| Service | Fee | Cap for multiple candidates | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remark Level 4 | £50 per single unit | £200 | if there is a change of grade |
| Remark Level 6 | £70 per single unit | £280 | if there is a change of grade |
| First level appeal | 60% of exam fee | £200 | if enquiry is upheld |
| Second level appeal | 75% of exam fee | £280 | if enquiry is upheld |
Replacement Certificates
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Replacement Certificate | £20 |
Key Dates
There are no set dates for Professional Diplomas, you can enter anytime.
You have one year from registration to complete your Professional Diploma. The RSL Professional Diplomas offer a flexible route to an accredited qualification.
Need more information?
Please visit our Professional Diplomas FAQ page to find some useful information to help you get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The professional diplomas are to recognise expertise in people who are already working in the creative arts industries. They provide recognition for high level achievement in either performance, teaching, or creative enterprise.
Note: that it is not a requirement for candidates to be active in the music or performing arts industries, just that the level of performance expected is commensurate with this. The practical and vocational nature of the qualifications is intended to enable candidates to use their real-world professional practice when preparing their assessment submissions, where it is possible and feasible for them to do so.
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Purchase your entry via the RSL Shop. You will then be able to add your details and gain access to your unit modules
Please note however that RSL Professional Diplomas are externally assessed and are not taught by RSL in the form of a course. It is recommended candidates contact a suitable trainer or mentor who can provide them with opportunities for learning and practical application of skills.
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Learners are not required to have any recognised prior learning for these qualifications. However, learners should ensure that they are aware of the requirements and expectations of the qualifications before entering for an assessment.
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The descriptions ‘Level 4’ and ‘Level 6’ refer to the UK education and qualifications framework. Level 4 is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree and Level 6 is equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree.
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All repertoire should be agreed at least 6 weeks in advance of the submission of the video with RSL. Chosen repertoire will be checked to ensure that it is comparable to the standard of the indicative repertoire lists and approval will be given once this check is complete.
You must submit complete programmes and may send in only one complete programme for approval at any time. We are unable to consider approval of individual pieces. RSL will aim to approve programmes within 15 working days. If RSL is unable to approve programmes within this time you will be notified accordingly.
If the proposed repertoire is agreed, RSL will issue a permission statement, which will remain valid for six months. You should submit the evidence for this unit within this timescale.
If the proposed repertoire is not agreed, RSL will contact the learner by email. The learner should then change piece(s) as necessary and re-submit the whole programme (or replace the whole programme with pieces from the relevant repertoire list).
In approving programme proposals, we do not consider either timing or balance. The approval is simply in terms of technical and musical difficulty, and it is the learner’s responsibility to design an appropriate and balanced programme that complies with the stipulated timings.
RSL cannot accept responsibility if you submit evidence for this unit before requesting approval for your programme. RSL’s decision on approval of any item or programme is final.
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Yes. All assessments are designed for candidates to complete the required standards in the ways that suit their individual learning styles. Candidates can tell us any specific adjustments needed by emailing us at info@rslawards.com regarding special considerations and we will do everything we can to make the qualification as accessible as possible. View all of our Policies and Regulations relating to this area.
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Yes, all assessment for Professional Diplomas and the Level 3 Supporting Learning certificate is based around submission of evidence to our bespoke online entry system. This can be accessed anywhere in the world.
RSL’s previous Professional Diploma qualifications are being replaced with new Diplomas in Teaching and Performance. The older Diplomas will have their last awarding by 31st March 2026 (with the exception of extensions that may be permitted in extenuating circumstances). Any learner registrations for these qualifications must be made by 31st March 2025. You can download the syllabuses for the previous diplomas and Associate Award here: Associate Award // Level 4 // Level 6
RSL’s new Professional Diploma qualifications will be available for registration from 1st April 2025. Please contact us at business@rslawards.com as soon as possible if you are intending to register new learners on to these qualifications or have any questions about the new qualifications.
Any questions?
Get in touch and our team of experts will get right back to you…
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