Primary instrument/specialism
- Bodhran
- Button Accordion (Traditional Music)
- Cello (Traditional Music)
- Fiddle
- Flute (Traditional Music)
- Gaelic Song
Course summary
Aspiring performers on this course explore Scotland's unique and dynamic musical traditions as a conceptual, critical and creative framework within which to achieve a distinctively personal voice as an artist. This is interwoven with a solid basis in contemporary and eclectic performance practice. Our curriculum recognises that the innovative nature of Scottish traditional music today must be embraced, and that the creative development of the individual is the most important way to ensure traditional music flourishes from one generation to another. You can expect to learn in a busy department where your musical roots and creative artistry will be nurtured and developed through one-to-one tuition, academic context, performance opportunities, masterclasses and lots of ensemble work, all aimed at helping you fulfil your potential. The programme offers the following Principal Studies *Accordion *Cello *Fiddle *Flute/Whistle *Gaelic song *Guitar *Percussion - pipe band snare drum, bodhran *Piano *Scots song *Scottish Harp - normally gut-strung You will work closely with some of the worlds top solo and collaborative teachers and performers to consolidate your performance technique, repertoire and personal style as a traditional musician, interwoven with development as a critical, creative, entrepreneurial and/or teaching artist. This includes exploring both the distinctive parameters of folk and traditional music and the shared technical vocabulary that links folk to other genres. External learning opportunities include an Isle of Skye residency, teaching placements and work placements in Scotland and overseas, as well as appearances at high-profile events, including Glasgow's renowned Celtic Connections and Piping Live Festivals. The BMus with Honours, places emphasis on the creative development of the individual and allows the curriculum to be relevant to aspiring musicians from anywhere in the world. We have welcomed students from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and from as far afield as Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong. Please note, the international deadline for this programme is the 1st December 2024, but we would encourage applicants to apply by the 2nd October 2024 to be guaranteed consideration for the first round of scholarship
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
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
*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:
- 250F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Applications for direct entry beyond Year 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Royal Conservatoire’s Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning policy. Please email [email protected] for more information. We do not offer deferred entry.
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
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - A* - E
Scottish Higher - A - C
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 45 - 24 points
For further information, or alternative qualifications that we accept, please visit the weblink.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
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 grades, 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.
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 | Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 in each component (with no component below 5.5) is required. |
| 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 | 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. 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. 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/bmus-traditional-music/.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| EU | £27968* | Year 1 |
| International | £27968* | 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