An Overview

This programme is designed to help you develop secure classical and contemporary dance technique, and prepare you for the profession as a confident, versatile and technically strong dancer. You will graduate with the skills required by professional companies as well as the ability to communicate effectively with other artists, choreographers and audiences.

BA Modern Ballet is delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet and provides numerous opportunities, allowing you to gain invaluable insight into professional life. You will work with Scottish Ballet staff, dancers and internationally acclaimed teachers and choreographers, including Artistic Director/CEO Christopher Hampson. Graduate year students will attend company class and additionally, some students will have the opportunity to perform in the mainstage company tours.

We are the only European conservatoire to offer all of the performance art specialisms and we encourage you to work collaboratively to expand your artistic horizons. You might find yourself performing to camera for film students, choreographing a piece with our composers, or on stage at one of Scotland’s major theatres. RCS facilities are among the best in Europe. You will take part in performances within a variety of environments and contexts, further enhancing the breadth of vocational education and your employability.

Institution Code:

R58

Programme Code:

201F

UK Deadline:

31 January 2024

International Deadline:

31 March 2024

Programme Structure

Your first year of training is focused on developing a sound technical and artistic basis in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. This grounding will be enhanced by supporting subjects such as pas de deux, pointework, virtuosity, conditioning and contextual studies.

In repertoire classes, corps de ballet work and solos are introduced and you will learn about creating new work in the ‘Introduction to Choreography’ module.

You will complete your 1st year with a performance in the annual show.

You will focus on building upon the skills learned in first year, with much more challenging work both technically and artistically.

In repertoire, you will gain skills as a solo performer (in both ballet and contemporary) including learning works from the classics. Choreographic skills are developed through the opportunity to collaborate with other departments and a commissioned choreographer in the creation of a new work.

You will have more performance opportunities, including the Piano and Dance festival and a more significant part in the Annual performances.

You may also participate in exchange projects and international competitions.

Your final year is a year of refinement of individual strengths, development of artistic and performance skills and preparation for auditions for professional employment.

All third-year students work with Scottish Ballet which may include touring opportunities. Third year students also have the opportunity to join Company Class with Scottish Ballet and other professional companies.

There are additional regular performance and touring opportunities with Scottish Ballet in mainstage tours – in recent years these have included The Snow Queen (ch. Hampson), Cinderella (ch. Hampson), Nutcraker (ch. Darrell), Emergence (ch. Pite), The Fairy’s Kiss (ch. MacMillan), Swan Lake (ch. dawson) and Mayerling (ch. MacMillan).

The Solos Evening is a highlight for third years and your training culminates in the annual graduation performance in June.

CLASS OF 2023

Alice Abbott

Josiah Batt

Mouna Boussaha

Caitlin Brolly

Emmeline Bywater

Caitlyn Carr

Kira Dillon

Celeste Fernandes

Robbie Fisher

Oliver Grant

Norah Jeffery

Aidan Jolliffe-Byrne

Madeleine Lacroix


Yidie (Lydia) Liu

Lily Pakula

Georgia Richardson

Katelyn Robbins

Kirsten Russell

Freya Ryan-Brown

Kazuko Sakaguchi

Seamus Smith

Hamish Vipond

Katie Williams

Grace Wilson

Joshua Winter-Wright

Linyue Zhao

All Y3 Ballet student headshots by AndyRossImages

Why choose us?

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is consistently ranked in the World Top 10 for performing arts education (QS World Rankings 2023)

  • Delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet
  • Professional opportunities
  • Opportunities to collaborate, improvise and develop choreographic skills
  • World-class facilities
  • The Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks is home to a suite of award-winning dance studios that were purpose-built for the BA Modern Ballet programme
  • Opportunities to perform at events across the country; recent events have seen dancers perform at Buckingham Palace and Gleneagles
  • Highly qualified and experienced teachers and accompanists
  • Regular guest workshops
  • Excellent staff-student ratio
  • Opportunities for artistic collaboration across RCS
  • International exchange opportunities
  • Compete in high-profile international competitions, including the Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, YAGP, Cecchetti Competition and the Prix de Lausanne
  • Graduates have obtained contracts around the world with companies including Scottish Ballet, Northern Ballet, Ballet Cymru, National Ballet of Portugal and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures

 

Wellbeing

The physical and mental wellbeing of our dancers sits at the heart of training at RCS, starting from the audition process. Throughout their studies, the ballet team works with each of our dancers to prepare them to enter the professional world as individuals who are confident, versatile and technically strong artists.

A Supportive Environment

From day one alongside their training, RCS dancers are given specialist support for their physical wellbeing through twice-weekly clinics, physiotherapy and an education programme, which includes specialist dietary and nutritional support, and we work in partnership with Scottish Ballet’s Performance Medicine team to deliver these specialist services.

Every dancer receives an individual physical screening as part of the final audition process, and at the start of every academic year all students complete a personalised physical profiling, which informs the practical training and gives the dancer themselves and their programme team an annual benchmark to assess and review. Every dancer also has access to one-to-one and focused counselling through RCS’s Student Counselling Services.

A ‘Body Positive’ Approach

A ‘body positive’ approach is taken by all staff, with issues around weight and body image addressed confidentially and proactively, rather than being ignored or addressed publicly. Students are supported in addressing any issues – we have a specialist nutritionist who is retained so that any issues can be addressed swiftly. Students may be asked to stop dancing or reduce physical activity if required, which is managed through close consultation with the performance medicine team, the nutritionist and GP (if required).

Information on fuelling the body in order to cope with a demanding workload and prevent injury is given to all students. Students also have classes in many different non-dance subjects which help them to build strength and focus on the development of a strong, healthy body and mind, with a positive approach to their training – these include Gyrotonics, PIYO, pilates, yoga and mindfulness.

Positive role models from the profession work regularly with the students, with the programme team carefully selecting these appropriate role models, who exhibit a ‘body positive’ approach and demonstrate the benefits of this to our young dancers.

Step inside the wonderful world of dance

The BA Modern Ballet degree at the Royal Conservatoire has grown to become one of the UK’s most respected dance training programmes.

Discover some of the highlights since its inception in 2009 in The Weekend Read.

Additional Staff

Teaching staff

Ayo Kobayashi
Contemporary technique

Rowan MacGregor
Jazz

Lewis Normand
Choreography

Glauco Di Lieto
Coaching, pas de deux, repertoire, PBT

Ruth Mills
Contemporary

Penny Withers
Conditioning/Coaching

Dr Oliver Wittard
Nutrition

Bethany Whiteside
Contextual Studies

Fraser Johnstone
Massage

John McFall

Kerry Nicholls

Paul Liburd OBE

Owen Montague

Julian Moss

Scottish Ballet

Christopher Hampson
Artistic Director and CEO

Oliver Rydout
Rehearsal Director

Sophie Martin
Principal Dancer

Constance Devernay
Principal Dancer

Sophie Laplane
Choreographer in Residence

Jamiel Laurence
Soloist/Choreographer

Constant Vigier
Soloist

Accompanists

Michael Barnett

Signy Jakobsdottir  Percussionist

Guest Lecturers and Choreographers
  • Nicolas Blanc — Ballet master, Scottish Ballet
  • Patricia Lent — Cunningham Foundation, New York
  • Maria Jimenez — Scottish Ballet
  • Scottish Dance Theatre
  • Alvin Ailey Dance Company
  • English National Ballet Company
  • Rambert Dance Company

What Makes RCS Like Nowhere Else?

BA Modern Ballet student Daisy Mullen-Thomson tells us why RCS is Like Nowhere Else to her.

GUEST TEACHER: Paul Liburd OBE

Read an interview with dancer and choreographer Paul Liburd when he spent a week at RCS to work with our students on their graduation performance.

Graduate destinations

Our graduating students have been contracted to a range of renowned companies including:

  • Scottish Ballet
  • Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures
  • Northern Ballet
  • National Ballet of Portugal
  • Ballet Cymru
  • Joffrey Ballet Apprenticeship
  • Ballet Ireland
  • Geneva Junior Ballet
  • Plovdiv State Ballet
  • Balletto di Roma
  • Alberta Ballet
  • Ballet Theatre UK
  • Prague Chamber Ballet
  • National Dance Company of Wales Apprenticeship
  • Universal Ballet Korea
  • FX Saldy Liberec
  • Ballet Prelocaj

Alumni

Hannah Cubitt

Scottish Ballet

Keenan Fletcher

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures

Louis Fukuhara

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures

Rose Goddard

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures (Pic credit: Andy Ross)

Matthew Topliss

Northern Ballet

Anna Williams

Scottish Ballet

Virtual Tour

Explore the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in our 360 virtual tour. You’ll be able to see our rehearsal and practice rooms, professional performance venues, production workshops, editing suite, ballet studios and more.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Admissions process

Our admissions processes are designed to be fair, transparent and efficient. The audition/interview approach serves the dual nature of allowing the panel to assess first-hand an applicant’s suitability for their chosen programme and it also affords the applicant the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the nature of that programme and the opportunities offered by the RCS.

In arriving at its recommendation, the audition/interview panel will take account of all aspects of the applicant’s profile i.e.:

  • Performance at audition/interview
  • Commitment to the particular programme
  • Potential to benefit from the programme
  • Academic qualifications
  • Personal statement
  • Performance qualifications
  • Performance/practical experience
  • References
  • Contextualised data
General academic entrance requirements

BA Modern Ballet has the following entrance requirements:

  • Five passes at a minimum of National 5 or equivalent such as Standard Grades (Grade 1—3) or Intermediate 1 or 2.
  • passes in five GCSEs — Grades A*—C or equivalent
  • Knowledge of ballet vocabulary to a minimum of Intermediate level (or equivalent)
  • Appropriate physical qualities for a career in professional classical dance
Language of study

The language of study is English. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Level 5.5, a minimum score of 5.5 in each component is required.

Direct entry

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. If you wish to apply for direct entry, please mark the point of entry on UCAS Conservatoires application as 2 or 3.

Non-standard entry

We welcome applications from individuals whose academic qualifications or English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements, where specified*. Having satisfied the Audition Panel that they meet the selection criteria and demonstrated that they have the capacity to pursue the proposed course of study, such applicants will be considered through examination of contextualised data provided in accordance with the Non-Standard Entry Policy. The appropriate Head of Department/ Programme will make a case in support of the applicant for consideration by the Directors of the Schools and Convener of the Quality and Standards Committee.

*Note that UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) imposes minimum English Language qualifications in respect of international (non-EU) applicants who require a Tier 4 Visa to study in the UK.

Mature students

RCS welcomes applications from mature students, i.e. students over the age of 21 at entry to the programme. Whilst the selection procedures will still be applied, consideration will be given to appropriate artistic experience not normally expected in school leavers, which is deemed to compensate for any lack of traditional entrance qualifications.

Successful mature applicants, as for all other applicants, must convince auditioning panels that they have the ability and potential to cope with the demands of the programme. Their progress, especially in the early stages of the programme, will be closely monitored and appropriate advice and support given.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply via UCAS Conservatoires

Applications are made through UCAS Conservatoires website. The UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system.

There is a UCAS application fee of £27.50 to register to use UCAS Conservatoires.

To begin a new UCAS Conservatoires application, you will need to register. You can read the UCAS Conservatoires’ advice on completing the UCAS Conservatoires application.

If you need assistance with your application, you can contact UCAS Conservatoires team by telephoning (Monday to Friday, 8.30 — 18.00). Phone 0371 468 0470 from within the UK or +44 330 3330 232 if you are calling from overseas.

Application deadline date

The closing date for all on-time applications is 31 January 2024. If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that you will be invited to audition.

If you would like to submit a late application, please contact admissions@rcs.ac.uk in the first instance to check we are accepting late applications. Late applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2025, you must apply next year.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58.

You will also require the following programme code to apply: BA Modern Ballet: 201F — Dance.

UCAS Conservatoires application form

Applicants should give details of the highest level of external examination attained (if any), the date and the mark awarded. They should also state which Dance Society this was with (ie RAD, ISTD, BBO etc). It should be noted that this is not a prerequisite for an audition and merely an indication of level. This should be noted under the personal statement.

Application fee

There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £27.50. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition assessment administration fee. For RCS, the audition assessment administration fee is £55 per programme applied for. Fees are not refundable. The fees are paid via the UCAS Conservatoires website and not directly to RCS.

Audition Assessment Administration fee

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland charges an audition assessment administration fee of £55 per course.

We recognise that auditioning and interviewing for conservatoires, drama and ballet schools can be costly. The audition assessment administration fee charge allows us to offer a thorough and positive experience to all applicants and we encourage you to get in touch to ask the panel questions and find out more about the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to see if it is the best place for you.

We are committed to ensuring fair access to a conservatoire education for students who have the talent and potential to benefit from it, regardless of their background. In support of this, audition fee waivers are offered to applicants whom financial hardship may be a barrier to auditioning. Please see the audition fee waivers document for more information.

References

It is your responsibility to ask two separate referees to write references and ensure that these are sent to RCS.

The references must be written by two different people and we will not accept references from family, other relatives or close friends. You can submit your UCAS Conservatoires application form and send your references at a later date, but they must be received prior to your audition date.

UCAS Conservatoires provides reference forms for you to download and send to your referees for completion.

Selection process

You can choose between in-person auditions in Glasgow or London or auditioning online. If you are auditioning in-person, you will not need to submit video, however you must submit photos via Accept’d, regardless of your audition preference. Details of Photographs required are included below.

UCAS Conservatoires application form

If applicable, you should give details of the highest level of external examination attained (if any), the date and the mark awarded. You should also state which Dance Society this was with (i.e., RAD, ISTD, BBO etc). This should be noted under your personal statement.

Please note this is not a prerequisite for audition and merely an indication of level.

Photographs

You will be required to create an Accept’d account and once you have done so you will be able to easily upload your photographs.  Please arrange for these to be submitted at least 5 days prior to the audition date.

(i) Demi-plie en face
Examples:

(ii) Degage a la seconde
Examples:

(iii) Developpe a la seconde en l’air
Examples:

(iv) Arabesque en l’air, facing decote (side)
Examples:

(v) 2nd position en pointe
Example:

The photographs do not need to be professionally taken but should be against a plain background and of good quality. You should be photographed in leotard and tights.

Audition
Regardless of how you are being auditioned, all applicants need to create an Acceptd account and upload photographs. Please see “selection process” section above for more information.

In person – Preliminary Audition

You will be invited to a preliminary audition which will consist of a classical ballet class which will include barre work, centre and allegro. There will be a short pointe work section at the end of the class. The class will last approximately 90 minutes and will be taught be one of the RCS ballet staff and accompanied by a musician.

The Glasgow Preliminary auditions will take place on the following dates at our Wallace Studios:

  • Friday 19th January 2024
  • Friday 9th February 2024
  • Friday 23rd February 2024

The London Preliminary auditions will take place on Friday 26th January 2024

If you are successful at the preliminary audition, you will be invited to attend a final recall audition held in Glasgow on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th March 2024.

Final recall audition

The final audition will consist of: –

  • a classical ballet class (including pointe work)
  • a contemporary class
  • a medical screening (carried out by a qualified physiotherapist)
  • an interview with members of the Programme Team

You and your parent/guardian/carer will be also invited to an ‘Information Session’, buildings tour and accommodation tour during the recall auditions, where you will be given further details on the course and an opportunity to meet some members of the department.

 

Online Auditions

All material must be submitted via Accept’d. The audition videos and photographs do not need to be professionally filmed/taken – your phone or a similar device is suitable. The camera should be positioned so that the full range of movements is shown (ideally between the front and the side for barre work and at the front for centre work). Applicants should wear a plain leotard and ballet tights and ballet shoes (no skirts or warm-up clothes please).

You are asked to prepare:

Barre Work

  • Plies – on one side only
  • Battements Tendus – shown on both sides
  • Battements Fondus – shown on both sides
  • Grands Battements – shown on both sides

Centre Practice and Allegro

  • Adage – showing both sides
  • Pirouette enchainement – can be taken from 5th, 4th and/or 2nd position, shown both en dehors and en dedans. Pirouettes should be performed on both the right and the left side.
  • Petit Allegro/Warm-up jump – sautes, echappes sautes and changements
  • Allegro enchainement
  • One grand allegro enchainement

Stretching (no music required)

Applicants should take care to work within their own range of movement and not force or bounce in the following stretches:

  • Spine roll down – facing the back with feet together and arms by sides, slowly roll down through the spine (keeping legs straight) and recover
  • Achilles stretch – facing the side with feet together, bend knees with heels remaining on the floor and recover
  • Hamstring stretch – facing the side, sitting on the floor with legs fully stretched forward in parallel, reach up and then forward towards toes, keeping backs of knees on the floor
  • Splits on right leg – facing right corner
  • Box splits – facing front
  • Splits on left leg – facing left corner

Pointe Work

In addition to the above, applicants who have studies pointework should show a short example, in the centre. Please include:

  • Echappes and releves
  • Simple pirouette enchainement – shown on both sides

Virtuosity

In addition to the above, applicants who have studied virtuosity should show a short example. Please include:

  • Tours en l’air – to both sides

Please contact the admissions team if you have any questions.

Following your audition

All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your audition via UCAS Conservatoires Track,  (you will need your username and password). You will also receive notification from UCAS Conservatoires when decisions on all your choices are available.

Please see below for an explanation of UCAS Conservatoires codes:

Guaranteed Unconditional (GU) RCS is satisfied from the information you have given, that you have already met the conditions for entry. Unless your application and/or qualification are subsequently shown to be fraudulent, a guaranteed unconditional offer is binding.

Guaranteed Conditional (GC) RCS has made the offer subject to you meeting certain conditions such as examination results. Conditions can be viewed via UCAS Conservatoires Track. Unless your application and/or qualifications are subsequently shown to be fraudulent, the offer is binding if you accept the offer and meet the conditions. You must meet the conditions of the offer by 31 August 2024, unless an earlier date is specified. If your conditions include obtaining IELTS (English Language test), you must meet this condition by 31 May 2024.

Reserve Unconditional (VU) RCS is satisfied from the information you have given, that you have already met the conditions for entry and you have been offered a place on our reserve pool.

Reserve Conditional (VC) RCS has offered a place on its reserve pool subject to you meeting certain conditions such as examination results. Conditions can be viewed via UCAS Conservatoires Track.

Unsuccessful (R) RCS does not wish to offer you any type of a place.

Replying to offers

As soon as a decision is made, UCAS Conservatoires will let you know. You must reply online via UCAS Conservatoires Track. Your reply date is displayed on Track. If you do not reply by the date given, your offers will be declined automatically. The reply date may be different to other applicants as it is based on when you receive your last decision.

Last decision by Your reply date is
3 January 2024 1 February 2024
15 March 2024 10 April 2024
15 May 2024 5 June 2024
10 July 2024 24 July 2024
1 August 2024 10 September 2024

Please see the UCAS Conservatoires website for more information on replying to offers. If you make an application through UCAS Conservatoires, UCAS or UCAS Teacher Training, you cannot hold more than one confirmed place. A confirmed place in UCAS Conservatoires is a guaranteed unconditional offer as your first choice (GU1) and in UCAS and UCAS Teacher Training it is an unconditional firm (UF) place. If you receive more than one confirmed place, UCAS will ask you to accept one offer and withdraw from any others.

Policy

We have a number of policies and statements which you should read when applying to study at the Royal Conservatoire.

Please select the links below to read each policy.

Fees and scholarships

Information for Scottish students

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) will pay tuition fees for all eligible full-time Scottish-based students who are studying in Scotland at degree level for the first time. Students should apply to SAAS for payment of tuition fees even if they are not applying for any other means of support. Eligible students can also apply for student loans through SAAS. For further advice and to check eligibility contact SAAS directly on 0300 555 0505 or visit the SAAS website.

Information for Rest of UK students

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland studying in Scotland will be eligible for the same funding/loan package that they would benefit from if they attended an institution in their home country. For further advice please visit student finance Englandstudent finance Wales , or student finance Northern Ireland as appropriate.

Information for EU students

The Royal Conservatoire is resolutely international in outlook and we celebrate and are enriched by the diversity of our community of students and staff. Students from across the globe are welcome and valued members of the RCS community and we continue to welcome applicants from across the EU and throughout the world.

QWhat is the fee situation for EU students?

A: On July 9 2020, Scotland’s Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead announced changes to the fee regime for EU students studying in Scotland. From 2021/22, all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.

Q: I’m an EU student looking to start my studies in 2024/25. How does this impact me?

A: From academic year 2021/22 onwards, all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.

Only EU nationals who are ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ in the UK will remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees providing they meet the residency conditions.

Other EU nationals and associated groups, starting a course of study in 24/25 are not eligible to apply to SAAS for tuition fee support.

Because of a long-standing agreement between the UK and Republic of Ireland, new students from the Republic of Ireland will be eligible to pay the rest of UK (RUK) fee and will be able to access a tuition fee loan from SAAS.

Please also see the SAAS website for more information.

Scholarships

Any potential student who auditions for a place at the Royal Conservatoire will automatically be considered for a scholarship. They are awarded on a combination of talent, potential and financial need. More information about Scholarships is available on our Fees and Funding page.

Sources of external funding

For more information about alternative funding sources, including external scholarships and bursaries, please visit Fees and Funding.

The Conservatoire’s International and Student Experience team are available to advise and assist applicants and current students in respect of queries about funding your studies at the Conservatoire. Please email or telephone +44 (0)141 270 8281/ +44 (0)141 270 8223 for further information.

Cost of Living and Associated Programme Costs

In addition to your tuition fees, we estimate you will need approximately £11,200-£15,300 per year for living costs (including accommodation, utility bills and food) in Glasgow – this is significantly lower than many UK cities. Much will depend on your lifestyle and whether your course runs for three or four terms.

As well as this, our degree programmes each have associated costs. More information about these can be found on our finance page.

Tuition fees for academic year 2024/25

You can find tuition fees for entry in September 2024 on our fees and funding page.