Primary instrument/specialism
- Composition
Course summary
The MMus Composition programme, is a pathway designed to explore your compositional voice. Embarking on your tailored learning journey, our tutors will apply their expertise to support your creative and professional development. Composition students have opportunities to work in the superb electroacoustic and recording studios, devise new work in our purpose-built performance venues, and complete an optional second study in performance. You will be working with our diverse and talented performing community in some of the best facilities in Europe. Performing new work is of paramount importance to us. The Composition department has a significant reputation for contemporary music. PLUG – our critically acclaimed annual festival – is a renowned platform for premiering hundreds of new works. Our professional partnerships with leading ensembles and orchestras will provide you with further opportunities to hear your pieces performed. Composition can be a solitary existence, but our Composition programme aims to challenge and provide students with collaborative experiences with artists from dance, theatre, film, and musical theatre disciplines to develop their skills. International students on Student visas are not permitted to undertake any of the part-time routes. Curriculum Review We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate music 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:
Single specialism
Only one instrument is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument formatively, 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 course webpage for more information.
Assessment method
Please see our course webpage for more information.
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.
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 are normally expected to hold a Masters Degree. Suitability for the programme will be assessed through the audition process.
Additional entry requirements
Audition
A strong indication of potential is sought at the entrance audition for this programme. You can apply and audition without having obtained any performance degrees, however as an indication only, applicants are normally expected to have reached a high standard in their playing. Details of what to prepare for your audition are listed on our webpage. Please ensure you read this to get the most out of your audition experience.
Interview
You will be required to take part in an interview as part of the audition process. For those auditioning live in-person, this will be part of your audition timeslot. For those who have submitted a recorded audition, if successful to round two, the interview will take place live online. Details will be sent via our admissions team.
Portfolio
Applicants should submit 2-4 pieces of work, each with a recording, which may be purely digital, or performed by live instruments (as appropriate). At least one work in the submission should be accompanied by a full, musical score, to demonstrate an example of the candidate’s music notation skills. Explanatory notes can, if appropriate, be submitted.
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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | £65 | £65 |
| RCS | £65 | £65 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | No fee charged | |
| RCS | 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. All applicants submitting portfolios, will go through a two round process, regardless of your audition location. If successful, the second round will be either a live in-person interview or a live online interview, with the head of department. Once we receive your completed application and folio, we will email you with further details. 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-composition/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £6435* | Year 1 |
| England | £6435* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6435* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6435* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6435* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £6435* | Year 1 |
| EU | £13734* | Year 1 |
| International | £13734* | 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
*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 on 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