Primary instrument/specialism
- Composition
Course summary
The MMus and MA Composition programmes are pathways 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 programmes aims to challenge and provide students with collaborative experiences with artists from dance, theatre, film, and musical theatre disciplines to develop their skills. Please note, the international deadline for this programme is the 2nd December 2024, but we would encourage applicants to apply by the 2nd October 2024 to be guaranteed consideration for the first round of scholarship. 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.
Modules
Please see our course page for more information.
Assessment method
Please see our course page 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.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 820F
- 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 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.
Additional entry requirements
Interview
You may be invited for interview as part of the audition process. This is at the discretion of the Head of Department.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| RCS | £65 | £65 |
| Recording | £65 | £65 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| RCS | Not available at this location | |
| Recording | Not available at this location | |
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 will go through a two round process. If successful, the second round will be either an in-person or live online interview with the Head of Department. 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-composition/.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £17875* | Whole course |
| England | £17875* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £17875* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £17875* | Whole course |
| Wales | £17875* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £17875* | Whole course |
| EU | £35090* | Whole course |
| International | £35090* | 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 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/apply/finance/scholarships/
Provider information
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB