Primary instrument/specialism
- Accordion (classical)
- Bassoon
- Bodhran
- Button Accordion (Traditional Music)
- Cello
- Cello (Jazz)
Course 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 Auditions If you want to audition live at one of our overseas locations, you must submit your UCAS and Acceptd application by the 2nd October 2025. We may not be able to audition certain instruments at our overseas auditions, please see our website for more information. Where required, all applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano) and accompanist for some locations. Further details of audition dates and locations can be found on our website, under the 'How to apply' section. Please note, our locations are subject to change at short notice. If you choose a location that becomes unavailable we will be in touch to offer an alternative, this will likely be a recorded submission. The international deadline for recorded submissions for this programme is the 1st December 2025 (except for keyboard who's deadline is 2nd October 2025), but we would encourage applicants to apply by the 2nd October 2025 to be guaranteed consideration for the first round of scholarship 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.
Course details
Principal study options
During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:
Main specialism
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
Instrument/specialisms
For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.
Modules
More information about what the course entails across the programme can be found on our website.
Assessment method
More information about what the course entails across the programme can be found on our website.
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 10th July 2025.
*If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.
02Oct
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 445F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Currently around 20% of our students come from outside the UK. Between them, they represent over 55 different nationalities and add a rich diversity to the Conservatoire.
Entry requirements
Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters Degree in Music.
Additional entry requirements
Audition
All auditions are planned to take place in-person at our campus in Glasgow in November 2024. Should you apply on time, you will be e-mailed directly with details of your audition date and time, and your UCAS Conservatoires track will be updated with this information. International applicants are welcome to submit a recorded submission via Acceptd. Through audition, applicants will be required to demonstrate: * a high degree of technical competency on the instrument or voice in the service of specific repertoire * an ability to demonstrate a considerable degree of understanding of the repertoire performed * an ability to perform specific repertoire convincingly * a considerable degree of self-confidence and creativity with respect to the repertoire performed * a degree of self-sufficiency, initiative and independence in selecting, preparing and performing a particular programme * a developing musical personality An interview, if held, will assess the candidate’s suitability for the programme in terms of knowledge, experience and commitment.
Other
All applicants are required to create and Acceptd profile regardless of where you are auditioning. More information on this can be found on our website.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Level 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component) is required of applicants to the School of Music. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 80 | Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening – 17, Speaking – 20, Writing – 17 |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing) |
More information about our english requirements can be found at the following link
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-requirements/
Assessment locations
In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.
Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.
Single specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | £65 | £65 |
| RCS | £65 | £65 |
| Singapore | £65 | £65 |
| Qingdao | £65 | £65 |
| Seoul | £65 | £65 |
| New York | £65 | £65 |
| Los Angeles | £65 | £65 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | Not available at this location | |
| RCS | Not available at this location | |
| Singapore | Not available at this location | |
| Qingdao | Not available at this location | |
| Seoul | Not available at this location | |
| New York | Not available at this location | |
| Los Angeles | Not available at this location | |
Additional information
All applicants need to complete an Acceptd account profile and application regardless of which location you choose, this is part of the audition process. All live in-person auditions will be scheduled through the Acceptd platform. If you don't have an acceptd application, we won't be able to audition you. For applicants auditioning in-person overseas, Heads of Department may follow up with an online interview. Applicants submitting performance recordings via our Acceptd platform, may be asked to a follow-up live online interview with the department you are applying for. You can view the audition requirements and what to prepare for this course on the relevant programme page on our website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are variable depending on the mode of study. Please consult the Conservatoire's website for more information: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/fees/
Please note, all new students are required to pay associated programme cost related fees at the start of their studies.
Sponsorship information
Within the School of Music, the majority of scholarship awards are made in January following an audition and offer of a place at the RCS. Scholarships are made based on ability and potential with some for financial need. Many School of Music scholarships are made for the duration of the programme. There is no separate scholarship application for the School of Music as everyone is automatically considered. More information can be found at: www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/
Provider information
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB