An Overview

Production consists of both the BA Production Arts and Design and the BA Production Technology and Management programmes. Production students will work very closely with each other in the classroom and on RCS productions.

The Production Arts and Design programme has been designed to create a high-level conservatoire learning environment for aspiring scenic artists, prop makers, stage carpenters, costume makers, and set and costume designers. You will learn in an environment where your technical knowledge is as important as your creativity and individuality.

You will be accepted based on your profile in one particular area, taken from the five subjects on offer (scenic art, set construction, costume construction, prop-making, and set/costume design). You will follow an individually-negotiated pathway based on a major and minor study to ensure a quality learning experience and afford you the opportunity to engage with the broad and diverse range of performance programmes.

The opportunity to work with film-makers, dancers, musicians and actors is unique and the facilities in which we do this are second to none. The Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks has purpose-built production workshops and design studios and the Renfrew Street building houses five public performance spaces including a fully-equipped proscenium arch theatre and a black box studio theatre. The combination of professional venues, extensive workshops, construction spaces, design studios and the latest stage and workshop technologies provide a fantastic learning environment.

As our standards are rooted in industry practice we have exceptionally strong links with professional partners from across the UK and beyond. We have very close relationships with the key Scottish national companies, such as Scottish Opera, the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet as well as the majority of regional theatres such as the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. We work closely with industry to ensure the expertise you acquire is current, competitive and of the highest professional standard.

If you have an employment opportunity you would like to share with our production students or graduates please contact Ros Maddison with full details and she will be happy to share this information as appropriate.

Institution Code:

R58

Programme Code:

203F

UK Deadline:

31 March 2024

International Deadline:

31 March 2024

Programme Structure

You will experience all areas of the theatre production process as well as build initial skills and knowledge in your major subject. You will receive a broad-based introduction to the production environment and the standard practices both in production arts and design and also in its sister programme production technology and management. In the five core subjects, the design process is examined through a range of projects, workshop rotations and collaborative projects culminating in the choice of a minor subject to complement your major study pathway. You will also investigate the collaborative nature of production and performance and have the opportunity to work with year one students from across RCS.

You will consolidate your skills and knowledge and be introduced to more advanced approaches and techniques including Personal and Professional Development skills. Production Arts students engage with practice-based work on RCS productions as part of a collaborative team with students from third year.

Processes, skills and techniques are gathered, as well as the opportunity to observe senior students in managerial positions. Design students explore the design process from concept to final presentation through personal projects and begin the process of designing for a fully realised production.

Each student negotiates their individual pathway in third year to take advantage of the available production roles, personal projects, options modules and work placement opportunities. The placement ensures you are making contacts with industry practitioners and potential employers. A showcase of work is exhibited at the end of the year and a range of potential employers are invited to view your work.

Most work is assessed through staff observations of your practice but reflection underpins the approach to assessment, and reflective journals and summary statements form a key component of assessment in Personal and Professional Development modules. There is a strong emphasis on the assessment of process including working with others. Students in levels two and three engage in portfolio building as an element of professional development planning, specifically designed to aid their self-promotion, and transition into the workplace.

Additional Staff

Production Technology & Management Lecturers

The BA Production Technology and Management Programme team deliver a range of sessions on your programme especially throughout year one. Also led by the Head of Production, the team consists of four dedicated lecturers and four tutors.

  • Steve Macluskie – Lecturer in Stage Technology
  • Susan May Hawley – Lecturer in Stage Management
  • Christoph Wagner – Lecturer in Lighting
  • Claire Hibberd – Lecturer in Sound Technology
  • Sam Burt – Stage Management Tutor
  • Barry McCall – Sound Tutor
  • Dave Evans – Lighting Tutor
  • Malcolm Stephens – Stage Supervisor (Tutor)
Central Production Unit (CPU)

CPU staff are also tutors who will mentor and supervise students in the production workshops including tuition and tutorial support. There are also three Production Managers in the CPU who will be your line managers on production work and are there to support your learning. The CPU is separate to the School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film and supports all RCS productions as required.

The CPU staff are:

  • Lynfryn Mackenzie – Head of Technical Production
  • Kevin Murray – Production Manager
  • Colin Bell – Production Manager
  • Simon Cook – Workshop Manager
  • Matt Doolan – Scenic Carpentry tutor
  • Danny Main – Scenic Carpentry Tutor
  • Merlin Currie – Prop Tutor
  • Rhonda Barclay – Production Support Assistant
  • Megumi Hari – Scenic Art Tutor
  • Gillian Ferguson – Costume Tutor
  • Lynne McGinley – Costume Tutor
  • Anna Antczak – Costume Tutor
  • Fiona Larkin – Costume Tutor
Venue Team Technicians

The Venues Team provide technical support in RCS venues and offer advice and guidance in production practice. They work independently to the School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film and have responsibility for all RCS internal venues. The team is led by:

Kevin Robertson – Resident Stage Manager

Visiting Staff and Practitioners

Design students are sometimes mentored by a professional designer as well as full-time staff in order to make contacts and reap the benefit of advice straight from the industry. In addition to this, the department works with a range of professional practitioners in order to support RCS productions. These include; designers, scenic artists, prop makers, costume makers and carpenters.

Programme Support Administrators

The Programme also has administration support from the AAS staff:

Grace Dunn – Programme Support Administrator (Production & Film)

Why Choose Us?

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

Production Arts and Design at RCS

Learn more about the BA Production Arts and Design programme from our teaching staff in our video which goes behind the scenes of this creative programme.


Behind the Street Scene

Discover what our Set Construction and Props students created for the Street Scene opera.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduate destinations include Assistant Carpenter (Royal Lyceum & Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Assistant Scenic Artist (Royal Opera House, Royal Lyceum, Citizens Theatre & Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Art Department (BBC), Principal Costumes (Game of Thrones) Costume Intern (Scottish Opera, Outlander), Costume Assistant (Cirque du Soleil) plus design roles with the BBC and National Theatre of Scotland.

  • Rachel Light (Class of 2021) Royal Television Society Student Awards winner, Craft Award for Production Design – Sizzle
  • Jack Sheehan (Class of 2019) Romeo and Juliet, Designer, The Stockwell Playhouse – Action to the World Theatre Co; V + 15 Designer, Nevertheless Theatre Co-VAULTS Festival; Aladdin and the Feast of Wonders, Production Assistant, VAULTS Immersive; Battersea Arts Centre, Lighting Operator, Macbeth online, Designer, Action to the World Theatre Co
  • Debbie Jenkins (Class of 2018) River City, Art Department Trainee
  • Meghan Grieve (Class of 2018) Be Still My Beating Heart, BBC Scotland – SFTN, Art Dept Trainee; Our Ladies, BBC Scotland – SFTN, Art Dept Trainee; All Over the Place: UK Pt 1, CBBC, Art Dept Trainee; All Over the Place: UK Pt 2, CBBC, Assistant Art Director; SCUZZ, SFTN, Production Designer; Screen Skills Art Dept Trainee 2020-21
  • Nicole Green (Class of 2018) Props Assistant Scottish Opera
  • Siiri Korhonen (Class of 2017), Royal Television Society Scotland, Student Television Craft Award for Production Design 2018. Outlander, Season 5, Costume Trainee Programme. BBC World productions, Vigil mini-series, Costume Trainee
  • Alisa Kalyanova (Class of 2017) Designing for Opera North Education Department, Catherine Wheels Theatre Co, Tron Mayfest, Opera Bohemia
  • Basia Binkowska (Class of 2016) Linbury Design winner
  • Emma Green (Class of 2016) Costume PA Tom and Jerry Movie, Warner Bros Studios, Leavesden
  • Connor Gallagher (Class of 2015) Carpenter, Scottish Opera
  • Jade McNaughton (Class of 2015) Principal Costumes, Game of Thrones
  • Zoe Roy (Class of 2015), props intern, Outlander
  • Kenneth MacLeod (Class of 2015) Guest Designer: Eden Court Theatre, Cunard Line, Dundee Rep, National Youth Ballet, MacRobert Arts Centre
  • Cara Roxburgh (Class of 2014), BAFTA Scotland New Talent Design Award 2016, Gilly Slater (Class of 2017) The Bayreuth Scholarship, Richard Wagner Stipendienstiftung 2017
  • Sophie Martin (Class of 2013) Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre, Wardrobe Assistant; Opera Holland Park, Wardrobe Deputy
  • Marian Colquhoun (Class of 2005) Head of Props, Scottish Opera
  • Lyndsay Sinnamon (Class of 2006) Head Scenic Artist, Outlander
  • Louie Whitemore (Class of 2005) Set and Costume Designer, work includes Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells. Associate Director of Jermyn Street Theatre.
  • Hear from our graduates

    Student Spotlight

    Lu Herbert

    In her third year of the Production Arts and Design programme, Lu specialises in devising stunning sets and is the associate designer for British Youth Music Theatre’s Why the Whales Came.

    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 Entry Requirements
    • Scottish Highers — 3 passes (grade C or above)
    • A Levels — 2 passes
    • International Baccalaureate — minimum score of 24 with 3 subjects at Higher Level
    • Recognised equivalences (EU and International Entry Requirements)

    We welcome the Scottish Baccalaureate and will accept combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers.

    We offer a flexible approach to students taking Higher over more than one academic year and/or who achieve their qualifications in more than one sitting.

    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 6.5 (with no component below 5.5) 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 undergraduate applications is 31 March 2024. If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that you will be invited to audition. If you do want 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 Production Arts and Design: 203F 

    Application Fee

    There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £27.50. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition/interview assessment administration fee. For RCS, the audition/interview assessment administration fee is £35 per programme applied for. Fees are not refundable. The fees are paid via the UCAS Conservatoires website and not directly to RCS.

    Audition/Interview Assessment Administration fee

    The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland charges an audition/interview assessment administration fee of £35 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.

    The Interview

    Applicants who apply on time by 31 March 2024, are invited to an interview by email, approximately three weeks before. For September 2024 entry, we are currently planning for in-person interviews to take place in Glasgow as well as continuing to offer interviews in an online format for those who are not able to travel to an in-person event. We have many years of experience of conducting online interviews and have a well-established format and process in place, so no applicant will be disadvantaged by being assessed in this manner. If possible, we encourage candidates to select an in-person interview as this gives you the opportunity to view our facilities.

    Please note that RCS is only obliged to offer one audition/interview date per application. Alternative dates will only be provided (subject to availability) in exceptional circumstances. If you are unable to make your allocated interview date, you should email us immediately stating the reason.

    BA Production Arts and Design interviews will take place from January to March.

    Prior to attending the interview, you should ensure you have completed the three exercises detailed below. An Accepted account will be required to complete part of these exercises.

    The Interview Format 

    You will be required to identify your chosen major study subject at the point of application and your interview experience will be tailored to this choice. The five major subjects are;

    • Set Construction
    • Scenic Art
    • Props Construction
    • Costume Construction
    • Set & Costume Design

    As well as an interview with two members of programme staff (approx. 30/40 minutes), you will also be offered a short tour of the Production Arts and Design facilities with a current student (15/20 mins)

    At your interview, the panel will ask you about your previous experiences and your interests and hobbies and they will also want to discuss your portfolio and your response to the tasks (below).

    It is important that you show us your previous work as well as your response to these tasks. Without this, we will not be able to proceed with the interview.

    The aim of the interview

    The interview process is designed to ensure that you have every opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to your specialist subject and evidence your experience of the performing arts. The interview also allows the panel to satisfy themselves that you have the potential to develop the relevant skills and qualities necessary to succeed both on a degree-level programme and ultimately in a highly competitive profession. This could include:

    • Creative skills
    • Technical skills
    • Analytical and reflective skills
    • Communication skills
    • Collaborative skills
    • An ability to work independently
    • Professional standards

    Prior to attending the interview, you should ensure you have responded to these three exercises:

    1. “About You” questionnaire (completed online via Acceptd)
    2. Production / Performance Presentation (See below)
    3. Creative Technical Response Project (See below)

    Candidates should attend their interview in person and bring all relevant work to the interview including their portfolio and, where relevant, examples of work such as costumes, small props, painted samples etc.

    If you cannot attend in person, you MUST send us visual references (i.e. any images, drawings or written work you are providing as part of the tasks and other evidence of suitability for the programme) A MINIMUM OF TEN WORKING DAYS in advance of the interview so that the panel can properly interrogate them in advance of the online interview. You will be required to digitise this work and upload it to ‘Acceptd’.

    The interview will focus primarily on the evidence you provide of your suitability for the programme and so we will need to see the following:

    Portfolio

    Each candidate is seen as an individual, and a holistic view is taken of your unique mix of qualities; therefore, the panel will be most interested to see any evidence of interests or experience to-date. Due to time restrictions, the panel will wish to see quality rather than quantity, so pick examples of your work that best illustrate your suitability for the programme. Your portfolio of work should evidence your suitability for study in you chosen specialism and take any form you chose. As well as evidence of the set tasks noted below, this could include:

    • Physical examples of work
    • Photographs of previous work
    • Models (3D renderings, images, etc.)
    • Technical drawings and ground plans
    • Audio/video files
    • Other relevant production documentation

     

    Production/Performance Presentation

    You are asked to attend a performance of a production of your choice and be able to discuss your observations of this production with the panel. Ideally this should be a live production but, if this is not possible, a recorded or streamed stage production can be used.

    This should be a recent professional production if possible but must not be one you have worked on. This may be an opportunity to challenge yourself by choosing a type of performance or venue that you have not experienced before. Remember we want to hear you talk about this so feel free to use notes to help you but do not write an essay to read out.

    You should endeavour to give a clear account to the interview panel of the production elements such as the overall set & costume design, staging, costume, props, lighting, sound, and stage technology. Whilst an overview of the directing or performances is sometimes useful, this is not what we want you to focus on.

    Remember that as a member of the audience your opinion is valid and should be used to comment on the overall effect of the production and whether there was any specific element that you personally liked or disliked. You may also be asked to comment on how you would have approached certain elements differently, given the chance.

    It is often helpful to provide supplementary evidence of your visit such as publicity material or personal notes and sketches to illustrate a point.

     

    Creative Technical Response Project

    Choose one of the following plays:

    1. Cloud 9 – Caryl Churchill
    2. Fences – August Wilson
    3. Leave Taking – Winsome Pinnock
    4. A View from the Bridge – Arthur Miller
    5. Nine Night – Natasha Gordon
    6. Cost of Living – Martyna Majok
    7. ‘Master Harold’….and the Boys – Athol Fugard
    8. Translations – Brian Friel
    9. Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off  -  Liz Lochhead
    10. Topdog/Underdog – Suzan-Lori Parks

    Source a copy of the script and study it with a view to communicating how you would address the production elements of this play relevant to your chosen major study subject (you do not necessarily need to cover the whole play).

    Assessment of this project is based on your ability to apply yourself to a given task and your ability to discuss and demonstrate practical and creative solutions to the production challenges.

    What you need to do:

    You should consider this task in relation to your identified major study subject and the design and/or practical staging challenges raised by the script for that area.

    • Production Arts applicants should research previous productions and use existing designs to facilitate this task rather than spending unnecessary time on the design itself.
    • Scenic construction applicants should consider the potential set building and possible methods / materials of construction.
    • Scenic art applicants should consider the possible paint finishes they want to achieve and how they might do this.
    • Props construction applicants should consider any potential for prop makes and how they might create these.
    • Costume construction applicants should consider the potential costume makes and how they might create these.
    • Set and Costume Design applicants should provide physical evidence of design solutions by means of a model box, costume designs and other related drawings. This should be accompanied by evidence of your ideas and the development of your designs.
    Selection Process

    No panel decision on the outcome of your interview will be offered at the end of the session.  You will be informed via UCAS Conservatoires as soon as possible afterwards, this can take up to six weeks.

    At the culmination of the interview day the panel will review all the candidates seen.  At this stage the panel will evaluate your suitability and would normally conclude and settle on one of the following courses of action:-

    1. To accept you onto the programme (either conditional or unconditional).
    1. To accept you onto the ‘reserve list’ which suggests your application is acceptable, but implies the panel would wish to complete other interview sessions prior to making a final decision about the offer of a place on the programme.
    1. To decline your application on this occasion.

    If you would like to discuss any matters relating to the programme or interview procedures please feel free to contact Ros Maddison, Head of Production, at r.maddison@rcs.ac.uk

    We want you to do well so please try and relax during the interview process and do your best to show us just how good you are.

    Following Your Interview

    All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your interview 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.

    Reserve Outcomes

    If you have received a ‘reserve’ outcome, it means that RCS is not able to offer you a guaranteed place at the time of making our decision. A ‘reserve’ outcome indicates that RCS would like the opportunity to review its outcome to you in the light of acceptances/declines to its guaranteed offers. You will become part of a ‘pool’ of ‘reserve’ candidates and RCS may choose to make you a guaranteed offer if a suitable place becomes available.  Reserve does not mean that a place has been ‘reserved’ for you. If RCS chooses not to make you a guaranteed offer, you will not have a place to start at RCS.

    If you have been given a ‘reserve’ outcome, in order to be considered for a guaranteed place (should one become available) you will need to accept the outcome (and meet any conditions if applicable).

    Reserve outcomes remain active until the end of August.  The decision to wait and see whether a guaranteed place becomes available, or to accept an offer at another conservatoire is entirely at your discretion. As soon as your situation changes, this is updated on UCAS Conservatoires.

    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 England , student 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 aneed. 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.