I was just wondering how the diploma is considered.

I did my grade 8 piano about 6 years ago, then i did a BMus (finished 2003) - for which i got a first in piano performance. now i am thinking i want to aim for another exam; is the diploma considered the same as a BMus? in which case - i might as well do the LRSM (scary thought!) but really ... i want to go to the next step - not the equivalent.

Unfortunately i don't have a piano teacher/mentor to discuss this with (you may have spotted other posts enquiring about a teacher!)

Any opinions?

(by the way i refer to these exams in performance not teaching or otherwise)

First, congratulations on the first-class BMus

I guess it comes down to whether you want to study full-time/part-time and whether you want to do performance or more academic work. If you want to study performance, I guess you wouldn't go far wrong to do an LRSM. If you want to do a more academic work there are numerous options available, many of which are available both full- and part-time - research masters (MA/MPhil), taught masters (MA/MMus), research doctorates (PhD), taught doctorates (DMus), ....

Hope this gives you a few things to look at.

If you want to do the LRSM you have to do the Dip.ABRSM first, unless BMus counts as a pre-requisite- you would need to check that out.
I know this is beside the point, but since you've got a 1st class BMus, do you really need to take any exams? What would be the point of them? Surely you don't need more qualifications to prove you can play a piano. In my opinion, there comes a point when your playing speaks far louder than a certificate.