Primary instrument/specialism
- Repetiteur
Course summary
As a student on the MA Repetiteurship programme, you will work and study as part of the internationally reputable Alexander Gibson Opera School. In your studies you will work regularly with staff from Opera School, who have considerable professional experience both nationally and internationally. You are required to be technically proficient at the keyboard to a very high standard. You will play music from Auber to Zandonai, covering all styles throughout the centuries. Repetiteurs must be able to coach singers in the major operatic languages, demanding not only a high degree of musicianship but psychological insight into the characters they are coaching and the singers standing before them. The programme will give you the opportunity to learn and study all the core and related skill sets; piano lessons, languages, coaching, continuo playing, style and repertoire. A large part of your training will be in practical sessions, playing for classes, opera scenes rehearsals, masterclasses and, where appropriate, conducting. Recent productions have included Mozart’s Idomeneo, L’étoile (Chabrier), Dead Man Walking (Heggie), Cendrillon (Massenet), The Rape of Lucretia (Britten), Flight (Dove) and Die Dreigroschenoper (Weill). Please note, the international deadline for this programme is the 1st December 2025 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.
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 can be found on our departmental webpage.
Assessment method
More information about what the course entails can be found on our departmental webpage.
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:
- 860F
- 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. To find out more please visit: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/
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, under Audition information of the 'how to apply' section for more infomation about the audition - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-repetiteurship/#how-to-apply
Interview
The interview will be held by members of the audition panel. It will explore your understanding of the demands of the programme, knowledge of repertoire, aspects of performance practice, performance experience and attitudes, and professional aspirations. You may also be invited to talk about the recording you have submitted. You may also be given a sight reading as part of this process, depending on your principal study department(s).
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | 6.0 with no component below 5.5 |
| 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) |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components |
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 | £65 | £65 |
| Recording | £65 | £65 |
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 profile and application regardless of which location you choose, this is part of the audition process (https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs) and needs to be completed once your UCAS application has been submitted. 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. 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. 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-repetiteurship/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £18483* | Whole course |
| England | £18483* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £18483* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £18483* | Whole course |
| Wales | £18483* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £18483* | Whole course |
| EU | £36283* | Whole course |
| International | £36283* | 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 fees, funding and scholarship, please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/fees/
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