Primary instrument/specialism
- Voice (Alto/Mezzo) Opera
- Voice (Bass/Bar) Opera
- Voice (Counter-Tenor) Opera
- Voice (Soprano) Opera
- Voice (Tenor) Opera
Course summary
We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with Scottish Opera (https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/) to offer a new one-year programme that is responsive to the needs of singers focused on entering the professional world. Places on this programme will be offered on the basis of casting for a pre-decided production, which students will perform with Scottish Opera in both in Glasgow’s Theatre Royal and at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre in 2026, as well as performing in an RCS production in our New Athenaeum Theatre. All applicants for the Artist Diploma are expected to hold an undergraduate degree in vocal performance, with those who reach the final selection for entry to the programme auditioning for an expert panel supported by the Scottish Opera casting team. Artists on this programme will study within the Alexandra Gibson Opera School, led by Head of Opera, Philip White. The school is also supported by the Head of Vocal Performance and Opera lecturers, Mark Hathaway and Duncan Williams. The RCS Opera and Vocal Performance Departments are made up of experienced and distinguished teachers and practitioners, and a wide range of visiting coaches, conductors, directors and guest artists who will provide a constant source of external stimuli to support your learning. This course, new for September 2025, is subject to validation. Overseas Auditions If you want to audition at one of our overseas locations, you must submit your application by the 2nd October 2024. Details of audition dates and locations can be found on our website, under the 'How to apply' section. Please note our locations are subject to change at short notice. if you choose a location that becomes unavailable we will be in touch to offer an alternative, this will likely be a recorded submission. Please note our US auditions will happen in October 2024.
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 see our departmental web page for more information about the course.
Assessment method
Please see our departmental web page 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.
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:
- 447F
- 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 the Artist Diploma in Opera are normally expected to hold an existing Masters degree in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme, or its overseas equivalent.
Additional entry requirements
Audition
All auditions are planned to take place in-person in November 2024. Should you apply on time, you will be e-mailed directly with details of your audition date and time, and your UCAS Conservatoires track will be updated with this information. The audition panel will consist of both RCS staff as well as members of the casting department of Scottish Opera. International applicants are welcome to submit a recorded submission via Acceptd.
Interview
An interview will be required as part of the audition process. Depending on your chosen audition location, this may be part of the live audition.
Other
All applicants are required to create an Acceptd profile regardless of where you are auditioning. More information on this can be found on our website.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | A score of 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/
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 |
| United States - East Coast | £65 | £65 |
| Recording | £65 | £65 |
| China | £65 | £65 |
| United States - West Coast | £65 | £65 |
| London | £65 | £65 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| RCS | No fee charged | |
| United States - East Coast | No fee charged | |
| Recording | No fee charged | |
| China | No fee charged | |
| United States - West Coast | No fee charged | |
| London | 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. A headshot or photo of yourself is an optional addition for your profile. 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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £14373* | Whole course |
| England | £14373* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £14373* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £14373* | Whole course |
| Wales | £14373* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £14373* | Whole course |
| EU | £29623* | Whole course |
| International | £29623* | 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, fees are subject to change for AY25 entry*
Associated programme costs may be required for this programme for any new student at the start of their studies. For more information, 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 following our audition period 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. You can find out about the funding and scholarships available for studying at RCS by visiting our dedicated page: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/finance/feesandfunding/
Provider information
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB