The College's diplomas remain as highly prized today as they were more than a century ago, not least because they continue to demand the combination of technical and interpretative skill with stylistic, analytical and historical understanding that marks out the truly accomplished musician.
The organ diploma examinations in the Examination Year 2025-2026 (Summer 2025 and Winter 2026) will be held according to the general and diploma-specific regulations listed on this page. Assessment criteria are also downloadable for Examination Year 2025-2026.
RCO Diplomas, General Regulations, Summer 2025 and Winter 2026
RCO Diplomas, Assessment Criteria, Summer 2025 and Winter 2026
The award of the Colleague Diploma indicates a standard of reliable and confident musicianship in public performance. It also indicates confidence in basic keyboard skills, most of which are invaluable in a liturgical context, and proficiency in those aural and written skills (fundamental musical grammar and knowledge of repertoire) which support practical musicianship. The Colleague is aimed at the amateur player with some experience of playing in public and at the developing student. Read more.
Associateship of the College indicates a standard of professional competency in organ playing technique, essential keyboard skills, and interpretative understanding. It also indicates accuracy in aural perception and fluency in those written disciplines (standard stylistic techniques and analysis of performance and historical issues in relation to organ repertoire) which support practical musicianship. Read more.
Fellowship of the College indicates a standard of professional expertise in organ playing technique, advanced keyboard skills, and interpretative understanding, which at this level will be stylistically well informed. It also indicates accuracy in advanced aural perception, and accomplishment in those written disciplines (advanced stylistic techniques and analysis of performance and historical issues in relation to organ repertoire and its broader musical context) which support practical musicianship. Read more.
The award of the Diploma in Choral Directing indicates a standard of professional expertise in choral conducting technique, rehearsal and interpretation. It also indicates accomplishment in those written disciplines (advanced stylistic techniques and extended choral arrangement) which support practical musicianship, as well as an extensive knowledge of the choral repertoire, and a thorough understanding of vocal and choral technique, and of the administrative and psychological management of singers and choirs. Read more.
Licentiateship of the College indicates a standard of professional expertise in teaching the organ to students at elementary, intermediate and more advanced levels. It indicates a reflective and methodical approach to the practice of teaching, and shows clarity of purpose in the setting of study objectives, the planning of lessons, the development of technique and the encouragement of musicality. An understanding of student needs, aspirations and learning patterns will be demonstrated, as will competence in those administrative skills needed to organise a teaching practice. Read more.
For details of academic dress, diploma presentation and examination prizes click here.