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Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: Music Performance
| Institution | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Music |
| Web | http://www.rcs.ac.uk |
| admissions@rcs.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 0141 332 4101 |
| Study type | Taught |
Advanced Artist Diploma
Summary
This one-year programme is designed to enable singers and instrumentalists to make a significant and original contribution to their chosen artistic sphere, and demonstrate outstanding public performance skills commensurate with those of a professional artist. Instrumentalists follow the performance route detailed here; an opera strand is available to students who wish to pursue that specialism.
The performance strand will offer you the time and space to develop your artistry through a largely autonomous programme of study, supported by supervision in the principal study. You will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of School of Music activities alongside the wider artistic environment of the Conservatoire, as well as the chance to present two significant public performances. The Advanced Artist Diploma is a doctoral level award validated by the University of St Andrews at SCQF level 12, equivalent to level 8 on the FHEQ.
The AdvArtDip is available to performers in the following disciplines:
All string, woodwind and brass instruments, solo, chamber or orchestral Guitar and harp Timpani and percussion, including marimba Piano solo and collaborative, harpsichord, organ, accordion Traditional performance Jazz performance
It is not available for Conducting, Composition, Piano for Dance, or Repetiteurship.
Overseas Applicants We will be holding auditions at venues across the world, but audition requirements AND application deadline dates will change depending on your principal study and where you are applying to. We will be operating a pre-screening process for some instrumental departments. Full information on our locations, dates and requirements can be found on our website. Please check this prior to applying.
All international applicants and those that are submitting a recording must also include a spoken introduction recording that is separate from your instrumental performance. This must be submitted to your Acceptd application by the relevant application deadline for where you are auditioning. All recorded submissions should contain a spoken introduction in English. Please tell us: - Your name - A bit about your musical background and training you’ve had till now - Your musical ambitions - Your reasons for applying to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - This video should be no longer than 3 minutes long and separate to your performance video
Our overseas auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department. • Please note for live overseas auditions, we cannot guarantee that a member of our teaching staff for your specific discipline will be on the panel. • All applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano). • All applicants will need to provide their own accompanist for overseas auditions.
This programme is subject to validation
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters Degree. Suitability for the programme will be assessed through the audition process. |
| Location | Main Site 100 Renfrew Street Glasgow G2 3DB |
Advanced Postgraduate Diploma - AdvPgDip
Summary
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music is designed to allow students with existing masters qualifications to progress further within their discipline. You will have the opportunity to extend and deepen your skills, knowledge and understanding in and through performance within a rich conservatoire environment.
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma is available to performers in the following disciplines:
All string, woodwind and brass instruments, solo, chamber or orchestral Guitar and harp Timpani and percussion, including marimba Piano solo and ensemble, harpsichord, organ, accordion Vocal Performance Scottish folk/traditional performance *Jazz performance
It is not available for Conducting, Composition, HIPP and Piano for Dance.
Overseas Applicants We will be holding auditions at venues across the world, but audition requirements AND application deadline dates will change depending on your principal study and where you are applying to. We will be operating a pre-screening process for some instrumental departments. Full information on our locations, dates and requirements can be found on our website. Please check this prior to applying.
All international applicants and those that are submitting a recording must also include a spoken introduction recording that is separate from your instrumental performance. This must be submitted to your Acceptd application by the relevant application deadline for where you are auditioning. All recorded submissions should contain a spoken introduction in English. Please tell us: - Your name - A bit about your musical background and training you’ve had till now - Your musical ambitions - Your reasons for applying to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - This video should be no longer than 3 minutes long and separate to your performance video
Our overseas auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department. • Please note for live overseas auditions, we cannot guarantee that a member of our teaching staff for your specific discipline will be on the panel. • All applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano). • All applicants will need to provide their own accompanist for overseas auditions.
Curriculum Review We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate music programmes starting in 2026, these courses are currently designated 'subject to revalidation'. This is standard practice during curriculum review periods. The outcome of this process, may mean there are some changes to how your programme is delivered.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters Degree in Music. |
| Location | Main Site 100 Renfrew Street Glasgow G2 3DB |
Master of Arts - MA (PG)
Summary
The MA Performance programme is designed for students who aim to make music their life’s work.
Perhaps you aspire to become a concert artist or orchestral musician; to accompany, compose or arrange; to work as a freelance instrumentalist or to be a conductor, music leader or animateur. You may be planning to coach or teach, either as the sole focus of your professional life or, more likely, as part of a portfolio career. You might have your sights set on doctoral study, on making a contribution to Scotland’s vibrant music culture or may perhaps wish to fulfil one of the vital specialist music roles in related art forms. Whatever your rationale for joining, you are here to refine and extend your musicianship in preparation for your next steps.
Our MA Performance pathway places a main emphasis on performance instead of academic work. The programme is designed to be flexible and you will be able to choose from a range of options including performance classes, ensembles, rehearsals and masterclasses, and/or other courses from across the many disciplines we offer here at the Conservatoire.
Overseas Applicants We will be holding auditions at venues across the world, but audition requirements AND application deadline dates will change depending on your principal study and where you are applying to. We will be operating a pre-screening process for some instrumental departments. Full information on our locations, dates and requirements can be found on our website. Please check this prior to applying.
All international applicants and those that are submitting a recording must also include a spoken introduction recording that is separate from your instrumental performance. This must be submitted to your Acceptd application by the relevant application deadline for where you are auditioning. All recorded submissions should contain a spoken introduction in English. Please tell us: - Your name - A bit about your musical background and training you’ve had till now - Your musical ambitions - Your reasons for applying to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - This video should be no longer than 3 minutes long and separate to your performance video
Our overseas auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department. • Please note for live overseas auditions, we cannot guarantee that a member of our teaching staff for your specific discipline will be on the panel. • All applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano). • All applicants will need to provide their own accompanist for overseas auditions.
Curriculum Review We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate music programmes starting in 2026, these courses are currently designated 'subject to validation'. This is standard practice during curriculum review periods. The outcome of this process, may mean there are some changes to how your programme is delivered.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Candidates for both the MMus and MA are normally expected to hold a good honours (at least 2:2) degree, or its overseas equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme. |
| Location | Main Site 100 Renfrew Street Glasgow G2 3DB |
Master of Music - MMus
Summary
The MMus Performance programme is designed for students who aim to make music their life’s work.
Perhaps you aspire to become a concert artist or orchestral musician; to accompany, compose or arrange; to work as a freelance instrumentalist or a conductor, music leader or animateur. You may be planning to coach or teach, either as the sole focus of your professional life or, more likely, as part of a portfolio career. You might have your sights set on doctoral study, on contributing to Scotland’s vibrant traditional music culture or may wish to fulfil one of the vital specialist music roles in related art forms such as ballet. Whatever your rationale for joining the Conservatoire, you are here to refine and extend your musicianship in preparation for your next steps.
This course places a main emphasis on performance instead of academic work. The programme is designed to be flexible and in both stages you will be able to choose your other credits from a range of options including performance classes, ensembles, rehearsals and masterclasses, and/or other courses from across the many disciplines we offer here at the Conservatoire.
Overseas Applicants We will be holding auditions at venues across the world, but audition requirements AND application deadline dates will change depending on your principal study and where you are applying to. We will be operating a pre-screening process for some instrumental departments. Full information on our locations, dates and requirements can be found on our website. Please check this prior to applying.
All international applicants and those that are submitting a recording must also include a spoken introduction recording that is separate from your instrumental performance. This must be submitted to your Acceptd application by the relevant application deadline for where you are auditioning. All recorded submissions should contain a spoken introduction in English. Please tell us: - Your name - A bit about your musical background and training you’ve had till now - Your musical ambitions - Your reasons for applying to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - This video should be no longer than 3 minutes long and separate to your performance video
Our overseas auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department. • Please note for live overseas auditions, we cannot guarantee that a member of our teaching staff for your specific discipline will be on the panel. • All applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano). • All applicants will need to provide their own accompanist for overseas auditions.
Curriculum Review We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate music programmes starting in 2026, these courses are currently designated 'subject to validation'. This is standard practice during curriculum review periods. The outcome of this process, may mean there are some changes to how your programme is delivered.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Candidates for both the MMus and MA are normally expected to hold a good honours (at least 2:2) degree, or its overseas equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme. |
| Location | Main Site 100 Renfrew Street Glasgow G2 3DB |
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