Study exchanges at RCS

If you would like to come to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on an exchange we actively encourage your ambitions.  The RCS welcomes applications from students from its partner institutions as part of Erasmus+, International Exchange and Study Abroad.  Stepping into new and unexpected experiences is a vital part of growing and developing as an artist and because RCS has students from over 60 countries, you will be part of a thriving international community of students.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is, until May 2023, a recognised institution within the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme.  Erasmus+ exchanges enable RCS students to study in Europe as part of their course and for students from partner institutions to study with us. The Conservatoire was awarded a European Charter for Higher Education in 2014 meaning that our students can participate in Erasmus+ mobility until the end of our current KA103 project in May 2023.  Our Erasmus Charter can be viewed at: ECHE

Our commitment to Erasmus+ is outlined in our ECHE Policy Statement as follows:

The Conservatoire is resolutely international in outlook. International recruitment has grown steadily over the last decade to the point where 35% of the student body (in 2020) is from outwith the UK, with around 69 nations (in 2020) being represented. The Conservatoire views its internationalisation strategy as an essential element in the promotion of a rich and diverse student experience. We view our international engagements as being absolutely vital to the promotion of a rich and inclusive cultural mix. Performance is central to the Conservatoire’s student experience and therefore we carefully select our partners on the basis of their ability to offer our students a total professional performance experience in the context of a different national artistic culture. Similarly we would wish to ensure that incoming exchange students will benefit from the extensive and intensive performance opportunities which are integral to all aspects of our curriculum. Institutional profile is much more important than geographical location therefore as a Conservatoire we do not prioritise partnerships on the basis of location. The overriding objective for all our exchange activity is cultural enrichment. We believe and actively promote mobility as a vehicle for the greater understanding of national, European and world culture and also firmly believe that one’s own culture is very often better understood from an international perspective. We firmly believe that exchange programmes also promote an ethos of equality and diversity in our relatively small academic and artistic community. Because art is an international language we take a universal approach to exchanges and encourage all students at all levels and on all programmes to consider the opportunities presented by Erasmus activity. For staff, a particular priority for us is colleagues’ exposure to new and different teaching methodologies which they can then apply in their home context.

We would wish to expose increasing numbers of students to different art forms and cultures thereby better equipping them to forge international careers and make international connections which will sustain their UK based career. We see staff mobility as providing vital input into our quality enhancement agenda through helping us benchmark our provision against sister European institutions and also though the infusion of new ideas and new ways of working. Through both student and staff mobility we learn from other world-leading institutions and through that contact the quality of our student experience is enhanced. Self-evidently our outbound students are exposed to Europe’s various languages which of course helps to address the residual issue of the relative insularity of the UK in terms of language development. Although not directly concerned with business the economic impact of culture and the arts is, of course well researched and documented and we believe that the cultural links which our inward and outward bound staff and students make with various professional companies attached to this and partner conservatoires will generate new cultural and economic activity. Our absolute priority with all of our engagements with Erasmus is cultural and academic enrichment. We are grateful for the opportunity to include non-teaching staff in the scheme in future and look forward to the sharing of best practice in terms of governance and institutional management.

International Exchange

The RCS is linked to several institutions outside of Europe. International exchanges enable our students to study in North America, Asia or Australia as part of their course and for students from international partner institutions to study in Glasgow.  If you’re from one of the Conservatoire’s international exchange partner institutions you can apply to study in Glasgow for part or all of an academic year. The application process is identical to that for Erasmus+ applicants. You should apply via the EASY system with the consent of the International Relations Coordinator in your home institution.

International Exchange Learning Agreement (inbound applicants) 2023-24

Study Abroad via The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University

Students registered with a select list of US colleges and universities can apply to study at the Royal Conservatoire for one term (September to December), two terms (January to June) or a full academic year (September to June) via Arcadia University’s Study Abroad programme. We accept applications for Study Abroad via Arcadia onto the following programmes of study:

  • BA Production Arts and Design
  • BA Production Technology and Management
  • BA Modern Ballet
  • Bachelor of Music (Performance, Jazz or Composition)

To see if you’re eligible to apply please go to http://studyabroad.arcadia.edu/

If you’re able to apply you will be advised of the application process by Arcadia.

Study Abroad Learning Agreement for those applying via Arcadia

Study Abroad for Muhlenberg College Applicants

Students registered at Muhlenberg College can apply to study at the Royal Conservatoire for one term (September to December), two terms (January to June) or a full academic year (September to June). We accept applications from Muhlenberg students onto the following programmes of study:

  • BA Production Arts and Design
  • BA Production Technology and Management
  • BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice
  • BA Modern Ballet
  • Bachelor of Music (Hons) Performance

To check whether you’re eligible to apply please check with the relevant member of staff in your department at Muhlenberg College.

Muhlenberg College Guide for Applicants 2022-2023

Muhlenberg College Student Learning Agreement