Primary instrument/specialism
- Accordion (classical)
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Cornet
- Double Bass
Course 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 the Conservatoire’s MA programme, 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, with 80 of 120 credits for MA students dedicated to your principal study. The programme is designed to be flexible and 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. **Please note the following: The international deadline for keyboard students is the 2nd October 2024. The international deadline for all other instruments the is the 1st December 2024, We would encourage all applicants to apply by the 2nd October 2024 to be guaranteed consideration for the first round of scholarship** Overseas Auditions Please note, we will not be able to audition certain instruments at our overseas auditions, please see our website for more information. Curriculum Review We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate music programmes starting in 2025, 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.
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:
Single specialism
Only one instrument is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument formatively, 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 can be found on our website.
Assessment method
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website.
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 10th July 2024.
*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:
- 801F
- 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 60 different nationalities and add a rich diversity to the Conservatoire.
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.
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Please refer to our departmental webpage for what to prepare for audition under the 'how to apply' section - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-performance/
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 in each component (with no component below 5.5) is required. |
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 |
| China | £65 | £65 |
| South Korea | £65 | £65 |
| City of London | £65 | £65 |
| United States - East Coast | £65 | £65 |
| United States - West Coast | £65 | £65 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | No fee charged | |
| RCS | Not available at this location | |
| Singapore | No fee charged | |
| China | No fee charged | |
| South Korea | No fee charged | |
| City of London | No fee charged | |
| United States - East Coast | No fee charged | |
| United States - West Coast | No fee charged | |
Additional information
All applicants need to complete an Acceptd account profile, regardless of which location you choose, this is part of the audition process. Applicants submitting performance recordings via our Acceptd platform, will go through a two round process. If successful, the second round will be a live online interview with the department you are applying for. For applicants auditioning in-person overseas, Heads of Department may follow up with an online interview. Once we receive your application we will email you with details of your audition. For the best audition experience, we would encourage all UK applicants (and where possible international applicants) to attend in person. You can view the audition requirements and what to prepare for this course at the following page on our website: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-performance/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £17875* | Whole course |
| England | £17875* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £17875* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £17875* | Whole course |
| Wales | £17875* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £17875* | Whole course |
| EU | £35090* | Whole course |
| International | £35090* | Whole course |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
Associated programme costs may be required for this programme for any new student at the start of their studies. For more information on please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/fees/
Sponsorship information
The Royal Conservatoire is able to offer a number of entrance scholarships which are awarded as part of the audition/selection process on the basis of merit and financial need. Please see our website for more information - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/
Provider information
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB