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Introduction
Professor Aaron Shorr, Head of Keyboard – a.shorr@rcs.ac.uk
Professor Fali Pavri, Associate Head of Keyboard – f.pavri@rcs.ac.uk
Steven Osborne, International Fellow of Piano
The Keyboard department will develop your individual skills in a supportive, innovative and challenging environment. Our staff bring a wealth of experience to their teaching and enjoy active performing and recording careers. You will benefit from their expertise in your 90-minute one-to-one lessons per week as well as participating in regular performance classes for solo and chamber music in either one of our concert halls. Students may also elect to share their 1-1 lessons between two principal study teachers, a practice which is encouraged and supported by the department. Students also have weekly opportunities to work with other members of the keyboard faculty, either by signing up for additional 1-1 piano classes or from the teaching rota in operation for each performance class. The department also runs an innovative, internal digital platform where all performance classes and concerts are recorded and then stored in a digital archive for our students to consult throughout their studies. This system is supported by a rich array of peer and tutor feedback and has become one of the key innovations in the department’s working practice, enabling students to watch, listen and reflect on their playing as well as supporting the work and development of their peers.
Our performing, teaching and practice facilities are world class. The Stevenson Hall plays host to regular live recital broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and the prestigious, triennial Scottish International Piano Competition. Piano students benefit from a dedicated piano corridor with 10 practice rooms and 8 teaching rooms. Each piano practice room has a Steinway Model B grand and all piano teaching rooms are equipped with two, Model B Steinways. There are also 6 Model D Steinways in our concert halls and recording studio and one Bosendorfer 280VC concert grand. Additionally, we operate a free loan system where students may take upright pianos to use in their accommodation during the academic year
Principal study lessons and performance classes are also complemented by a wide variety of supporting study options, including classical improvisation, conducting, piano technique, organ and harpsichord seminars and French repertoire classes with world renowned pianist and scholar, Roy Howat. Students may also make CD quality recordings in our state of the art recording studio.
Opportunities to perform are one of the key drivers of the department. In addition to regular showcase concerts, masterclasses, an annual Piano Festival and the Plug contemporary music festival, keyboard students may also compete in over ten, internal competitions, including a concerto competition, classical concerto competition, Mozart piano concerto competition, duo-piano competition, Debussy prize, and Walcer recital prizes, a rare Russian music prize and rare romantic music prizes and the prestigious Governor’s recital prize. Prize money for the various internal competitions total in excess of £4,000.00 per annum.
Our students regularly win top prizes in many international and national competitions. During the past year alone, RCS piano students have won a total of 7 top prizes at international competitions, including 2nd Prize an Audience Prize at the Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv and First Prizes at the UNISA South Africa competition, Rio International Piano Competition, Ciurlionis Competition and Morocco Philharmonic Competition. Other competition successes include the Prix du Piano Interlaken Classics (Switzerland), the Sheepdrove Competition, Andre Dumortier Piano Competition (Belgium), the Royal Over-Seas League, (Overseas Prize) and Moray (1st Prize), Yamaha Competition (UK), Bromsgrove International Competition, Estonia (Tallinn 1st Prize), Lagny sur Marne and Piano Campus (France), Vines (Spain), Chieri (Italy) , Maria Callas (Greece), EU Competition (Prague) the Czech Republic,Sparkasse Chamber Music Competition (Frankfurt ) and Isidor Bajic (Serbia). We also offer an annual concerto performance opportunities with the prestigious Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the RCS Symphony Orchestra.
For more information on day-to-day highlights from the Keyboard Department, follow the RCS Keyboard Facebook Page.
Repetiteurs
We also offer a postgraduate Repetiteurship programme which works closely with our Opera Department. Please see the MMus/MA Repetiteurship webpage for more details.
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Programme structure
MMus/MA Programme Structure
The MMus/MA programme is divided into Stage 1 and Stage 2. Stage 1 is common to both degrees, and may also lead to the exit award of PGDip. In Stage 2, MMus and MA students follow different pathways leading to their respective degrees.
Stage 1: PGDip
Principal Study 1 — 80 SCQF credits
Supporting Studies 1 — 30, 20 or 10 SCQF credits
Practice Research — 10 SCQF credits
Options — 0, 10 or 20 SCQF credits
Stage 2: MMus
Principal Study 2 — 90 SCQF credits
Supporting Studies 2 — 30, 20 or 10 SCQF credits
Options — 0, 10 or 20 SCQF credits
Stage 2: MA
Negotiated Study (or HIPP dissertation) — 60 SCQF credits
Principal Study
The primary focus of your learning will be the Principal Study. This core activity — and in particular, the individual lesson — will refine the skills essential to meeting the artistic and technical expectations of the programme. It will equip you with many of the skills needed to exercise independent learning and develop the autonomy necessary for a professional career. In the case of the degrees in Performance, and Historically Informed Performance Practice, the Principal Study is your instrumental or vocal discipline; for the degrees in Opera, Conducting, Repetiteurship, Piano for Dance, and Accompaniment, it refers to the full range of skills associated with those roles, including high-level performance skills. For the MMus Composition, Principal Study is the practice of composition, within which you may specialise in acoustic or electroacoustic composition. For the MMus Chamber Music, the Principal Study will comprise the ensemble work of the group. Within the credit assigned for Principal Study, the contact hours are flexibly assigned to suit your particular needs as a student.
Supporting Studies
Supporting Studies incorporates many of the distinctive features of conservatoire study, and contributes towards the creation of a near-professional learning environment. In this module, you will have the opportunity to take part in a range of negotiated activities in support both of your Principal Study and your development as an emerging professional. The emphasis is on working with your peers, whether through the presentation of performance classes or collaborative activities such as chamber music, orchestra or ensemble work. The module also incorporates a series of cohort-wide graduate seminars, addressing such areas as research skills, critical thinking, professional development, reflective practice, health and wellbeing, and equality and diversity.
Practice Research
This module challenges you to examine critically an aspect of your arts practice by means of an individually-negotiated portfolio of research, reflection and/or documentation. Over the course of your studies, with the support of a supervisor, you will assemble a portfolio of documentation and reflective writing that interrogates a self-chosen research focus and communicates your findings.
Options
Options give space within the curriculum for you to engage in studies which enhance your professional versatility, by pursuing areas of interest either close to or far away from your core discipline. The range of modules available is very wide, including otions drawn from the undergraduate programmes in both the School of Music and the School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film. The design of the programme puts no restrictions on the level of the options/s chosen. There is a significant range of choice available in the amount of credit taken in this way, with students free to choose pathways which place greater weight on Supporting Studies.
MMus or MA?
The MA and MMus programmes share many similarities, with the first three terms of the programme being common to both. The chief differences are in the length and volume of study, and in the pattern of delivery in relation to the four terms that make up the academic calendar. There are also some differences in the programme aims and learning outcomes, and in the proportional number of hours available for principal study lessons.
The MA degree is designed for students who wish to achieve a Masters level qualification in one year, with 180 SCQF credits at level 11 (90 ECTS credits). The programme runs full-time for four terms, 43 weeks in total, with the fourth term being dedicated to a largely independent project. 31 weeks of 90 minutes principal study lessons are offered, to a total of 46.5 hours. (Nine extra hours may be allocated to additional study of a related instrument, where appropriate).
The MMus degree is intended for students who are seeking an extended and thorough professional grounding at Masters level in their chosen area of specialism. This is a two-year, full-time programme, leading to 240 SCQF credits at level 11 (120 ECTS credits). The majority of the teaching and learning takes place in terms one, two and three of both years, to a total of 81 hours across the two years. (Nine extra hours may be allocated to additional study of a related instrument, where appropriate).
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Why choose us?
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is in the World Top 10 for performing arts education 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (QS World Rankings)RCS is a national and international centre of excellence for the performing arts. It is one of the world’s most multi-disciplinary arts learning and teaching environments.
Reasons to choose us:
- Competitive scholarships
- 90-minute individual lesson per week with your tutor
- Steinway Model B grands in all dedicated piano teaching and practice rooms
- Opportunity to audition to perform a concerto with the RSNO and RCS Symphony Orchestra
- Multitude of performance opportunities, including regular showcase concerts, prestigious concerto opportunities, piano festivals, competitions and chamber music
- Internal competitions with prize money opportunities
- Cutting-edge video technology, recording, documentation and peer feedback provide innovative structures for highly creative learning and development
- Varied programme of masterclasses from distinguished visiting artists; recent visitors include Nikolai Lugansky, Steven Osborne, Idil Biret, Olga Kern, Andrei Gavrilov, Richard Goode, Angela Hewitt, Bernard d’Ascoli, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Leslie Howard, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Malcolm Martineau and Pascal Rogé
For further departmental news and highlights, follow us on the RCS Keyboard Facebook Page.
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Teaching staff
Pianoforte
- Professor Aaron Shorr, BMus, MMus, DipRAM, ARAM — Head of Keyboard
- Professor Fali Pavri, MMus, ARAM – Associate Head of Keyboard
- Petras Geniusas
- Stephen Coombs
- Graeme McNaught
- Norman Beedie, DRSAM, LRAM, ARCM
- Sinae Lee, MMus
- Isobel Anderson DRSAM
- James Willshire
- Nicholas Ashton
- Sasa Donaldson
International Fellow of Piano
International Fellow in Collaborative Piano
International Visiting Professor in Contemporary Improvisation
Visiting Professor of Piano
- William Fong
Accordion
Organ
Harpsichord
Masterclasses
The Keyboard Studies department is fortunate to have masterclasses given by world renowned performers, including:
- Steven Osborne
- Leon Fleisher
- Richard Goode
- Olga Kern
- Jean-Efflam Bavouzet
- Ingo Dannhorn
- Idil Biret
- Malcolm Marineau
- Andre Gavrilov
- Stephen Hough
- William Fong
- Lukas Geniusas
- Dimitri Bashkirov
- Dr Roy Howat
- Dr Leslie Howard
- Pascal Rogé
- Roberto Prosseda
- Louis Lortie
Bachelor of Education Faculty and Keyboard Performance Studies
- Anna Rastopchina
- Anna Mavromatidi
- Sasa Donaldson
- Ed Cohen
- Clare Sutherland
- Silviya Mihaylova
- Yoon Kyung Kim
For further departmental news and highlights, follow us on the RCS Keyboard Facebook Page.
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Facilities
RCS Keyboard facilities are amongst the best across the conservatoire sector. The Stevenson Hall plays host to regular live recital broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and the prestigious, triennial Scottish International Piano Competition.
Piano students benefit from a dedicated piano corridor with 10 practice rooms and 8 teaching rooms. Each piano practice room has a Steinway Model B grand and all piano teaching rooms are equipped with two, Model B Steinways. There are also 6 Model D Steinways and 1 Bosendorfer 280VC in our concert halls and state of the art recording studio. Additionally, we operate a free loan system where students may take upright pianos to use in their accommodation during the academic year.
There are up to 8 hours a week of performance classes in the Stevenson Hall and Ledger Recital Hall, allowing students to gain invaluable performing experience. All performance classes, concerts and masterclasses are videoed with state of the art multi-cam systems and placed on an internal network for RCS students and staff. In a unique and highly supported environment, staff and students provide feedback for each other, enabling students to document and reflect on their evolving practice throughout their time on the course.
For further departmental news and highlights, follow us on the RCS Keyboard Facebook Page.
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Graduate destinations
Graduates of the RCS keyboard department are extremely resourceful and find employment in a wide variety of areas and contexts, including prominent, performing careers in solo, chamber music and accompaniment. RCS keyboard graduates have also gained high level university and specialist music school teaching posts throughout the world.
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Images and video
Pan Yicheng
Tchaikovsky: From The Seasons – Januaray, February, June, November
Scriabin: Sonata No. 4
Rachmaninoff: Etudes Op. 39, Nos 8 and 9Sinae Lee performs Szymanowski Mazurkas
Sinae Lee performs Szymanowski Sonata No. 2
Sinae Lee performs Szymanowski Etudes Op. 33
Yoonjeong Kim performs Szymanowski Variations on a Polish Theme, Op. 10
Daniel Petrica Ciobanu (RCS BMUS and MMUS) performs Strauss/Grunfeld Die Fledermaus Paraphrase
Yoonjeong Kim performs Brahms Piano Concerto in D Minor
Daniel Petrica Ciobanu (RCA MMUS 2016) performs Silvestri’s Bacanale at the 2014 Scottish International Piano Competition
RCS Piano Festival 2016: Fitkin Totti for 4 Pianos – Edyta Mydlowska, Maya Leigh-Rossenwasser, Viktoria Sarkadi, Georgios Kypridemos
RCS Piano Festival 2016: Kapustin Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion, 1st Movt. – George Todica and Peter Johnstone
RCS Piano Festival 2016: Vivaldi/Bach Concerto for 4 Pianos: Piano Faculty – Sinae Lee, Victor Sangiorgio, Fali Pavri and Aaron Shorr
RCS International Fellow in Piano, Steven Osborne performs Messiaen Vingt Regards
Artem Amaro performs Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2 with the RCS Symphony Orchestra
Mohamed Shams performs Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 with RCS Symphony Orchestra
RCS Piano Festival 2013: Stravinsky The Rite of Spring
RCS Piano Festival 2015: Jonathan Plowright and Victor Sangiorgio perform Dave Brubeck’s They All Sang Yankee Doodle
RCS Piano Festival 2015: Kapustin Paraphrase on Dizzy Gillespie’s Manteca – Paulius Rudokas and Robertas Lozinskis
Artem Amaro – Piazzolla “Adios Nonino” Tango Rhapsody
Jonathan Plowright and Aaron Shorr perform Schubert Grand Duo
RCS Piano Festival 2013 Faculty Recital: Petras Geniusas performs Prokofiev Sonata No. 7
For further departmental news and highlights, follow us on the RCS Keyboard Facebook Page.
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Fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for academic year 2022-23
MMus – Scottish Students
£9,927 (full-time)
£4,965 (part-time)
MMus – UK Students
£9,927 (full-time)
£4,965 (part-time)
MMus – International Students (Including EU)
£19,635 (full-time)
£9,819 (part-time)
MA – Scottish Students
£13,464
MA – UK Students
£13,464
MA – International Students (Including EU)
£23,601
From the next academic year (21/22) all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.
Scottish
New Scottish domiciled students may be eligible for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan. All eligible students will be able to apply directly to Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a non-means-tested loan of up to £3,400. See the SAAS website for further details of the PSAS scheme.
Scottish domiciled postgraduate students on eligible courses can also apply for a Postgraduate Living Cost Loan up to £4,500 towards living expenses. This is in addition to the existing loan available towards the cost of their tuition fees.
English
Postgraduate students from England can benefit from a postgraduate loan of up to £11,222 (in 2020/2021) to be used towards tuition fees and/or living costs.
Northern Irish
Students from Northern Ireland may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan of up to £5,500 to help with the cost of their course fees. Please see the Student Finance NI website for more details.
Welsh
From 1 August 2019, students ordinarily resident in Wales (and those from the EU studying at a Welsh institution) may be entitled to a combination of loan and grant as a contribution to costs while studying a postgraduate Master’s degree course. The total amount of support available is non-means-tested and is paid directly to the student. The total support available to an eligible student is £17,000. A grant of up to £6,885 is available, depending upon household income. The balance of support is a loan.
Support comprises of the following elements:
- A non-means-tested contribution to costs base grant of £1,000 is available to all eligible students.
- An additional means-tested contribution to costs grant of £5,885 is available to eligible students with a household income of up to £18,370 per annum. For every £6.937 of household income per annum above this threshold, the amount of additional means-tested grant will be reduced by £1.
- A non-means-tested contribution to costs loan is available to all eligible students. The amount of loan available will be equal to the level of total support (£17,000 in 2019/20) less the total grant (base grant plus additional grant) a student is eligible for.
For part-time study, support is allocated over the number of years the course is studied. Support is capped in each academic year; for example, £17,000 for a one year course, £8,500 per year for a course lasting two years and £4,250 per year for a course lasting four years. Full-time courses between one and two years are eligible for support. Part-time courses of up to four years are eligible for support.
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.
Q: What 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 next academic year (21/22) 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 2021-22. How does this impact me?
A: From the next academic year (21/22) 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 academic year 2021-22 or later, 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 starting their studies in 2021-22 will be eligible to pay the UK fee.
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 our Fees and Funding page.
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.
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Entry requirements
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
Academic 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.
Language of Study
The language of study is English. Applicants who 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 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component) is required of applicants to the School of Music.
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.
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.
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Auditions
With the safety of our students, applicants and staff as our priority, all auditions will take place via audition recording. This may or may not be followed by an in-person interview or further audition. The deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below –
UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline Audition Recording Deadline Applicants 1 October 2021 15 October 2021 Once you submit your UCAS Conservatoires application, please then upload your audition recording to Acceptd – https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs.
All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your audition via UCAS Conservatoires track (you will need your username and password). We aim to post outcomes before Christmas (week commencing 13 December 2021.)
Through audition, applicants will be required to demonstrate:
- a high degree of technical competency on the instrument or voice in the service of specific repertoire
- an ability to demonstrate a considerable degree of understanding of the repertoire performed
- an ability to perform specific repertoire convincingly
- a considerable degree of self-confidence and creativity with respect to the repertoire performed
- a degree of self-sufficiency, initiative and independence in selecting, preparing and performing a particular programme
- a developing musical personality
Recording Guidelines:
- When setting up for your video recording, the panel would like a view of you (the performer), the keyboard, and pedals.
- The video recording can consist of different tracks for each piece/movement, or it can be ONE continuous shot of the entire performance. If you choose to supply separate tracks for different musical pieces/movements, the individual pieces/movements must not be edited.
- Please begin the recording by introducing yourself to camera and stating what you will be performing. You can take a little time between pieces so long as your body must remain in the frame.
Please see below for what to prepare for your audition recording –
Piano Solo
Performance of a programme from memory, comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes).
Harpsichord
Performance of a programme comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes).
Organ and Accordion
Performance of a programme comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes).
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How to Apply
- Apply via UCAS conservatoires
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Applications are made through UCAS Conservatoires website. The UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system. If you wish to apply to conservatoires and universities within UCAS, you will need to register for both services.
There is a UCAS application fee of £26.50 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 deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below –
UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline Audition Recording Deadline Applicants 3 October 2022 17 October 2022 Once you submit your UCAS Conservatoires application, please then upload your audition recording to Acceptd – https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs.
If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that your audition recording will be reviewed by the audition panel. If you do want to submit a late application, you must 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 and will not be considered in the first round of scholarship allocation.
We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2023, you must apply next year.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58.
MMus Performance (2 years) – 890F
MA Performance (1 year) – 801F
Book an advice lesson with one of our Music tutors (faculty)
An advice lesson gives you the chance to experience having a lesson with Conservatoire staff and provides a great opportunity for you to gain some expert advice. If you are unsure of what programme you wish to apply for, we recommend booking an advice audition with a teacher who can assist gauge which programme you may be suitable for. Advice lessons normally take place late August to early October and are dependent on staff availability.
- Application fee
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There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £26.50. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition assessment administration fee. For RCS, the audition assessment administration fee is £65 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 £65 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.
- References
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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.
- Entrance requirements
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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
Academic 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.
Language of Study
The language of study is English. Applicants who 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 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component) is required of applicants to the School of Music.
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.
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.
- Selection process
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Applicants who apply on time invited to upload their audition recording to Acceptd. The deadline dates can be found below –
UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline Audition Recording Deadline Applicants 1 October 2021 15 October 2021 If you submit your audition recording after this date, we cannot guarantee that your audition recording will be reviewed by the audition panel.
Please note that the Conservatoire is obliged to offer one audition recording per application. If you are unable to submit your audition recording by the deadline date above, you must email us immediately stating the reason. We have a specific period allocation to audition and all on time applications will receive a decision before Christmas (week commencing 13 December 2021). If your audition recording is delayed, there is a risk that places will already have been taken and your application may not be considered in the first round of scholarship allocation.
Applicants are selected first and foremost on the basis of merit and potential. However, due attention is also paid to the range of Principal Studies accepted in order to ensure the optimum experience for each student and to sustain the critical mass required for curricular activities, such as the symphony orchestra and choral activities.
- Audition
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With the safety of our students, applicants and staff as our priority, all auditions will take place via audition recording. This may or may not be followed up by an in-person interview or further audition. The deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below –
UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline Audition Recording Deadline Applicants 1 October 2021 15 October 2021 Once you submit your UCAS Conservatoires application, please then upload your audition recording to Acceptd – https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs.
All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your audition via UCAS Conservatoires track (you will need your username and password). We aim to post outcomes before Christmas (week commencing 13 December 2021).
Through audition, applicants will be required to demonstrate:
- a high degree of technical competency on the instrument or voice in the service of specific repertoire
- an ability to demonstrate a considerable degree of understanding of the repertoire performed
- an ability to perform specific repertoire convincingly
- a considerable degree of self-confidence and creativity with respect to the repertoire performed
- a degree of self-sufficiency, initiative and independence in selecting, preparing and performing a particular programme
- a developing musical personality
Recording Guidelines:
- When setting up for your video recording, the panel would like a view of you (the performer), the keyboard, and pedals.
- The video recording can consist of different tracks for each piece/movement, or it can be ONE continuous shot of the entire performance. If you choose to supply separate tracks for different musical pieces/movements, the individual pieces/movements must not be edited.
- Please begin the recording by introducing yourself to camera and stating what you will be performing. You can take a little time between pieces so long as your body must remain in the frame.
Please see below for what to prepare for your audition recording –
Piano Solo
Performance of a programme from memory, comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes).
Harpsichord
Performance of a programme comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes).
Organ and Accordion
Performance of a programme comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes).
- Following your audition
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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.
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 2021, unless an earlier date is specified. If your conditions include obtaining IELTS (English Language test), you must meet this condition by 31 May 2021.
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
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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 4 January 2021 1 February 2021 15 March 2022 12 April 2022 15 May 2022 1 June 2022 12 July 2022 29 July 2022 2 August 2022 8 September 2022 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
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- Policy
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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.