Course summary
As a participant on the PGDE (Music) programme, you will join a vibrant and diverse community sharing in a journey of professional enquiry designed to enhance your practice as an arts educator. The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Music) is a vocational, one-year professional programme for graduates who aspire to teach classroom music in schools. On this programme, you will engage with intensive studies in education (professional studies) and 90 days of school placement. There are also opportunities to develop your music skills through complimentary placement studies in areas that will support your work in the classroom. Following graduation, you will qualify for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). All eligible graduates are guaranteed a probationary year of classroom music teaching in a Scottish secondary school. GTCS standards are recognised and highly regarded in the UK and internationally. Curriculum Review We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate 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.
Subject options
This course offers the following subject options:
- Music Education
Modules
Please see our website for more information about this course
Assessment method
Please see our website for more information about this course.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.
14Jan
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:
- WX45
- Institution code:
- R68
- 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
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - A - C
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You should hold a degree validated by a higher education institution in the UK, or a degree of an equivalent standard from an institution from outside the UK. The minimum entry requirements to qualify to teach Music are as follows: *Degree (preferably Honours) in which you have studied music for at least three years *Degree should normally contain a minimum of 80 credits relevant to the subject
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Interview
Interviews will take place in-person at the Conservatoire campus in Glasgow. Online interviews can be arranged if required. At the interview applicants will be expected to be able to: *Demonstrate a clear desire to be a teacher; *Reflect on the qualities that make a good teacher; *Identify their own areas of weakness and in doing so, show a commitment to continuous personal development; *Discuss with some depth the current issues in education and how these might impact on Music education; *Display extensive knowledge of and interest in music; *Demonstrate a good level of knowledge of ICT with some experience of using Music Technology; *Discuss their personal statement; *Talk about the things they do besides Music (e.g. hobbies and/or other interests) The interview will be conducted in an informal manner. Applicants will be assessed on their: *Ability to express themselves clearly and fluently; *Perceived commitment to and enthusiasm for teaching; *Level of preparation and reflection
Portfolio
Before their interview, applicants will submit online via Acceptd a folio of evidence containing the following: *A video (5-10 minutes) of you performing on your first study instrument/voice *A video (2-3 minutes) demonstrating your singing ability (not required for first study singers) *A video (2-3 minutes) demonstrating your ability on piano. This may be through performance of solo piano repertoire, an accompaniment or of an improvisatory nature eg. improvise a convincing accompaniment for a song from a lead sheet (not required for first study pianists) *Examples of work using Music Technology *Some examples of original composition and/or arrangement (no more than three pieces) *Any other work that you think might be relevant to their application The selection panel recognises that applicants may have extensive experience in some of these areas whilst having limited experience in others. The portfolio allows applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding in a range of areas common to the discipline, therefore, having limited experience in some areas should not preclude anyone from applying.
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) |
More information about our language requirements can be found at the weblink.
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Whole course |
| England | £9535* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Whole course |
| Wales | £9535* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £1820* | Whole course |
| EU | £28919* | Whole course |
| International | £28919* | 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
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/
Please note all tuition fees per year are subject to an annual review.
Sponsorship information
There are currently no RCS scholarships available for our Education programmes, due to support offered via the teaching council. More information can be found about funding on our dedicated pages: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/finance/feesandfunding/
Provider information
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB