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Accompaniment (MMus PT) at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - UCAS

Course options

Course summary

Alongside a team of highly experienced professional accompanists and chamber musicians, you will engage in a range of collaborative opportunities to prepare you for this demanding profession working with students and lecturers from all departments at RCS. Developing core accompaniment skills form the foundation of the Accompaniment programme. In addition to the extensive development of standard accompaniment repertoire, additional supporting skills are also cultivated in regular group classes including; sight-reading, orchestral reductions, transposition, figured bass, choral accompaniment, vocal and instrumental coaching and languages. MMus Accompanists also enjoy extensive performing opportunities, whether in concerts, competitions or accompanying students. The programme provides a wide range of choices for assessment, including studio recordings, commissions of new collaborative works, independent projects and full-length recitals. Students who have graduated in this course have gone on to have professional careers as accompanists and work for a wide range of institutions and organisations throughout the world. Graduates also work in the fields of music education, arts management and administration, and music in the community, where an MMus degree is highly valued. 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:

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.

Primary instrument/specialism

  • Piano (Accompaniment)

Modules

please see our webpage for more information about this course.

Assessment method

please see our webpage for more information about this 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.

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 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. In addition to the general entry requirements, candidates will preferably already have public performance experience of working with singers and instrumentalists. Knowledge of a specialist area of relevant repertoire (e.g. vocal, string, wind) is also desirable.

Additional entry requirements

Audition

Applicants will be required to source their singer and instrumentalist. RCS will provide applicants with a singer and an instrumentalist should they attend an in-person audition in Glasgow and choose the set repertoire as noted on our website. Recorded submissions and changes from set repertoires will require the applicant to source their singer and instrumentalist. Repertoire to prepare: * Instrumental : Beethoven Cello Sonata in C Op. 102 No.1 (Andante — Allegro vivace) * Vocal: Schubert — Ganymed (Key Ab) and Debussy — Mandoline (Opening note “G” in piano part) We would also accept three contrasting accompanied works of your choosing.

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.


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)66.0 with no component below 5.5
TOEFL (iBT)80Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening – 17, Speaking – 20, Writing – 17
PTE Academic59Overall 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

LocationOn-time FeeLate Fee
RCS£65£65
Recording£65£65

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time FeeLate Fee
RCSNot available at this location
RecordingNo fee charged

Additional information

All applicants need to complete an Acceptd account regardless of which location you choose, this is part of the audition process. 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. 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-accompaniment/


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

The Royal Conservatoire is able to offer a number of entrance scholarships which are awarded as part of the audition/selection process on the basis of merit and financial need. Please see our website for more information - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/.

Accompaniment (MMus PT) at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - UCAS