Primary instrument/specialism
- Drama Performance
Course summary
The application deadline for this course is 31 JANUARY 2023. The BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice Programme is an interdisciplinary performance-making degree focused on the generation of new and original performances that sit outside of traditional theatre. The programme aims to develop socially engaged artists who can make a contribution in the world as performance-makers, educators, advocates and active citizens. The programme is committed to exploring the ecological and social function of performance and how performance can be an “act of community”. While studying the four-year CPP programme students encounter a range of concepts including social practice, live art, performance art, post-dramatic performance, installation, performance research, site-specific and documentary practices. The diversity of practices means that students are equipped with multiple skills, not only in performance-making but also in facilitation, working in communities and collaboration. The student journey over the four years begins with The Ego-centric Artist: Digging From Where You Stand in first year. After beginning with devising autobiographical work, in second year students move out from the idea of the “self” and begin to work in communities and educational context framed as The Socio-centric Artist: Radical Pedagogy in Action. Third year is The Researching Artist: An Ecology of Mind where students undertake performance research projects and the final year of study is The Eco-centric Artist: Living a Sustainable Practice where they do their degree show (at the Into the New festival) and also chose from a range of Artist Commissions including working in prisons, directing, undertaking a secondment or making site-specific work. As the student progresses through the programme their learning becomes more autonomous and they begin to clearly define and situate their own arts practice within various contexts. Assessments range from making performance (solo and collaboratively), creating artist statements, writing performance analyses, planning and facilitating workshops, devising and undertaking a performance research project, constructing a professional portfolio, and many other things – every day is different! A highlight of the programme is the community of practice which is fostered through site-specific trips, weekly coffee gatherings, the programme’s Into the New and Propel festivals and our annual week-long Creative Residential Retreat in the Borders of Scotland.
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
Year One In the first year the focus is autobiographical – you learn about yourself and what you are bringing to a space as a performer. You will learn about the methods and strategies of making performance using autobiography as your material. You are encouraged to question your attitudes, values and understandings and translate these discoveries into original performance work. Year Two In your second year you begin to explore how to apply your arts practice in social and participatory contexts including community and educational contexts. You will take part in a residency in a community which will result in an original piece of performance work. This stage of the programme focuses on your development as a socio-centric artist and how you engage with other people. Year Three The emphasis is on the researching artist. You will learn how to create text for performance, supported through individual mentoring by a performance tutor. You will study the ‘researching artist’ culminating in a dissertation exploring an idea relevant to your own performance practice. You can also undertake a professional placement and create an original collaborative performance. Year Four In your final year the focus is on ‘The Ecocentric Artist”, you will work towards developing a sustainable arts practice that will support your transition into your chosen professional field. You will make an original performance work for the Into The New festival staged in a performance venue in Glasgow. You will have the opportunity to select projects which focus on directing, arts in participatory contexts, arts in criminal justice settings, site-specific work or an international professional secondment. CPP Choice Modules offered include Arts and Medicine and Somatic Practices. For more information on the programme, plesae see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ba-contemporary-performance-practice/
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.
25Jan
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:
- W310
- 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
Qualification requirements
Please refer to our Guide for Applicants for what to prepare for audition - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/studyhere/how-to-apply/dramaanddance/.
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Please refer to our Guide for Applicants for what to prepare for audition - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/studyhere/how-to-apply/dramaanddance/.
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
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 | £55 | £55 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | Not available at this location | |
Additional information
Please refer to our website for what to prepare for audition - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ba-contemporary-performance-practice/.
Unistats information
Operated by the Office for Students
Student satisfaction
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The student satisfaction data is from students surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic. 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 | £19314* | Year 1 |
| International | £19314* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
For more information on fees and funding, please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/finance/feesandfunding
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