Primary instrument/specialism
- Learning and Teaching
Course summary
The application deadline for this programme is 31st May 2026 This part-time 180-credit programme provides a unique opportunity for arts educators to upgrade their teaching qualifications and obtain a Masters, which has been specifically designed to develop teaching skills for the arts. It is delivered on a part-time basis with a mix of face-to-face and online sessions, one-to-one tutorials and independent study. Students further afield have the option to study the programme fully online, accessing the face-to-face sessions through a video conferencing platform. The programme is designed to allow you to integrate your studies within your professional teaching contexts. The process of professional enquiry that underpins all modules requires students to engage in a sustained critical analysis of their teaching and arts practice in order to identify and address their own developmental priorities at each stage. The programme culminates in a self-designed, self-generated, project that is intended to help students make a significant contribution to their professional practices and their learners. As such, we are looking for individuals who are ready to engage their creativity in developing and evolving innovative approaches to their practice as arts educators. The programme is designed to appeal to individuals who have a role as an arts educator within a formal education context such as a: GTCS registered primary teacher* GTCS registered secondary teacher* Further Education lecturer/tutor* Higher Education lecturer/tutor* Visiting Guest Tutor in a school Instrumental Music Instructor Teacher in an International School Lecturer/tutor in an International Higher Education context** Early Years educator Or within a UK or International informal context, such as a: Community Arts Tutor Participatory Arts Tutor Private Tutor Dance Tutor/Teacher Tutor in a pre-HE organisation Freelance Teaching Artist Professional Recognition *GTCS registered teachers who have a remit for an arts subject within their school teaching context can use this programme to build evidence of their commitment to their professional learning as an arts educator. We include the following within our definition of an ‘arts subject’: music, dance, drama and art and design. The programme is accredited by the GTCS, and upon completion of the programme, students can apply to gain Professional Recognition with the GTCS (pending award). The programme can also be used to build credit towards an application for 2nd Subject Registration in dance, drama, music or art and design. AdvanceHE and HEA Fellowship For lecturers/tutors working in a further or higher education context with learners at SCQF Level 7 or above (or equivalent), this programme leads to Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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. International applications are welcome to this programme and online interviews can be arranged.
Entry requirements
Applicants for the programme normally have a good degree or international equivalent in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme. It is recognised that some applicants may not have achieved a full degree in a relevant subject area and we will take account of relevant professional experience where it is deemed to be a suitable equivalency.
Additional entry requirements
Interview
The interview will comprise of two parts consisting of a short presentation and an interview: Short presentation (no more than 10 minutes) Your presentation will focus on your ideas for the ‘Final Project’ module of the programme which enables you to design and undertake a substantial project that will synthesise your personal understanding of your learning and teaching philosophy and practice and your professional arts and education practice into one cohesive piece of work. You are invited to share some initial ideas for how you might use this project. For example, you may choose to focus on investigating: *Gaps in the existing provision of learning within your specialist profession *Opportunities within your specialist area that you could engage with *Areas of your specialist area that you believe would benefit from further research *Ways in which you might use this final module to address gaps in your own development You will be requested to provide some evidence to support your initial proposals, drawing on published journal articles, books or other key sources and to be prepared to provide some critical analysis of these in light of your project ideas. Interview: Following your presentation, there will be a 20-minute discussion about your presentation and application with the Head of Programme and a member of the delivery team. This will be used to explore your educational background, experience, opportunities and aspirations and you will be invited to address the following questions: *What has led you to apply for this programme? *How do you see this programme contributing to your professional development? *What opportunities will you have to work with learners during the programme? Please refer to our departmental webpage, under the 'how to apply' section for more infomraiton on what to prepare for auditio: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/med-learning-teaching/
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.5 | 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking and no component below 5.5 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Online | £55 | £55 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online | 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. For further information on what to prepare for the interview, please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/med-learning-teaching/ If you have any questions, please contact: [email protected].
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £5569* | Year 1 |
| EU | £5569* | Year 1 |
| International | £5569* | Year 1 |
| England | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5569* | Year 1 |
*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 internal scholarship opportunites for this programme.
Provider information
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB