Primary instrument/specialism
- Musical Direction and Coaching
Course summary
We want to work with aspiring musical directors on this exciting MA in Musical Direction at Scotland’s national conservatoire. By allowing each student to choose their individual path, focus is placed on tailoring learning through each Project and Production process. Opportunities will be given for each student to explore and challenge their values and passions within theatre, supported with mentorship and guidance from experienced practitioners. The programme is designed to offer elevated levels of guidance through the initial projects with both industry and pastoral mentorship. As the projects shift in scale and creative scope, each student will have the opportunity to grow into a fully autonomous and creative practitioner. One-to-one classes focussing on Keyboard, Conducting, Scoring & Arranging, Voice, Sound Work and Artist in Development are designed to give you space and guidance to build your knowledge and skill as a musician. Focus will be placed on the consolidation of previous skills and the opportunity to progress into new areas with a fresh and renewed insight. Project work is designed to offer a safe, explorative space for each Musical Director to synthesis their skills. Through these projects, each student will be mentored in building a process which reflects their values and passions as a practitioner. Please note, the international application deadline is the 31st March 2025, all UK applicants are the 29th January 2025. Curriculum Review We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate 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:
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
Please visit our webpage for more information about the course.
Assessment method
Please visit our webpage for more information about the course.
How to apply
*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.
29Jan
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:
- 702F
- 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
Applicants are normally expected to hold an appropriate undergraduate degree, or its overseas equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme.
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Audition: 1) Ensemble Singing Workshop (approx. 25-30 mins) In-person candidates – you will be asked to lead a vocal workshop with a small group for 25-30 mins, which should include: *A short warm-up *The teaching of a short section of ensemble repertoire of the candidate’s choosing *Elements of vocal guidance *Elements of style and interpretation Online candidates – please look to submit a recording on Acceptd of you leading a workshop with the areas highlighted above. Please do try and submit this prior to your audition/interview. 2) Coaching Session (approx. 20 minutes) The candidate will be asked to coach two songs of varying styles and complexity chosen by the panel. Candidates will be given around a few minutes to scan the piece before the process of sight-reading and coaching the sinher through each song. Candidates may be redirected through this process. Please refer to our programme page, under the 'how to apply' section for more informaiton about the audition: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ma-musical-theatre-musical-directing/
Interview
Interview – approx 15 mins The candidate will be asked a series of questions in relation to their skills, knowledge, and experience as an emerging Musical Director. Focus will be placed on areas of communication, knowledge, and awareness of style and genre shown by each candidate.
Portfolio
Folio Submission Please forward or upload any material that you feel would support your application on Acceptd – this applies to both in-person and online candidates. This should include a CV, any relevant documentation of scoring or arranging work and could include videos or audio recordings of your work. Could you also arrange the following extracts and upload your scoring of the set arrangement below. This may be discussed further at your audition. The Life of the Party (extract) – bar 86 to the end. Please arrange for an instrumental ensemble of 6-10 instruments of your choosing Anthem – Vocal Arrangement (extract) – bar 41 to the end. Please arrange for a vocal ensemble of your choosing
Other
Consultation Piano Lesson – 30 mins The candidate will be given a consultation piano lesson working through varying pieces of repertoire chosen by the candidate. This session will explore a range of varying keyboard skills through a one-to-one workshop. In-person candidates will be asked to bring a small selection of song accompaniments for this session. Online candidates will have this lesson on Zoom.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.5 | Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 7.5 in each component (with no component below 7.5) is required. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 102 | Overall score of 102, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -27, Writing -17 |
| PTE Academic | 76 | Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in speaking and 59 in all other components (reading, listening, writing) |
More information about our language requirements can be found at the weblink.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| RCS | £55 | £55 |
| Recording | £55 | £55 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| RCS | Not available at this location | |
| Recording | Not available at this location | |
Additional information
All applicants need to complete an Acceptd account regardless of which location you choose, this is part of the audition process. We will continue to offer recording submissions to international applicants and those who are unable to attend in-person due to exceptional circumstances. For the best audition experience, we would encourage all UK applicants to attend in person. For more information on what to prepare for audition, please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ma-musical-theatre-musical-directing/.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £19415* | Whole course |
| England | £19415* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £19415* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £19415* | Whole course |
| Wales | £19415* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £19415* | Whole course |
| EU | £28038* | Whole course |
| International | £28038* | Whole course |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
Please note, all new students are required to pay associated programme cost related fees at the start of their studies. For more information on this please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/fees/
Sponsorship information
A full fee waiver applies to this course.
Provider information
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB