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Advanced PG Diploma in Music

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Overview

The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music is designed to allow students with existing masters qualifications to progress further within their discipline. You will have the opportunity to extend and deepen your skills, knowledge and understanding in and through performance within a rich conservatoire environment.

The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma is available to performers in the following disciplines:

It is not available for Conducting, Composition, or Piano for Dance.

The important details

UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2025

International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2025

Course Start Date:
21 September 2026

Institution Code:
R58

Programme Code:
445F

Audition Fee:
£65.00

Application Fee:
£28.95

Why Study the Advanced PGDip in Music at RCS?

This programme will:

Symphony orchestra cello player practice.

Musical discipline

Enable the deepening of an established musical practice at the forefront of the discipline 

Performance opportunities

Provide opportunities to present solo and/or collaborative performances within a proto-professional musical environment

Several harp students prepare to play.

Collaborate across art forms

Foster the ability to develop as a performer by integrating new skills and perspectives

Students in 'Mahler 5' look in the mirror in their dressing room. They prepare for their dress rehearsal.

Prepare for the profession

Stimulate a critical and reflective musicianship that will prepare the student for the challenges of the profession

Programme Structure

The programme is structured into four modules.

  • 40.5 hours of principal study tuition and supporting study classes each academic year
  • A range of assessment options including public performances, recordings, and individual negotiated projects

You will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of departmental activities with the Conservatoire 

Modules to broaden or compliment your studies

The module, unique to this programme, invites you to articulate a critical and reflective position on your continuing studies in relation to your transition into the profession

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters degree in Music, or its overseas equivalent.

English Language Requirements

The language of study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) is English. All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence that their English language level meets the entrance requirements.

The required IELTS level for this programme is 6.0 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

Full details of the English language tests and equivalencies we accept can be found on our English Language Requirements page.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

For academic year 2025/26:

Performance:

  • Home: £13,194
  • International: £28,919

Vocal and Opera:

  • Home: £14,428
  • International: £ 29,738

Please note these fees are subject to change.

Funding & Scholarships

You can find out about the funding and scholarships available for studying at RCS by visiting our dedicated page:

Funding & Scholarships

Please note, this programme is not eligible for government funding support, so must be self-funded by the applicant.

Cost of Living & Programme Costs

In addition to tuition fees, it is estimated that you will need between £11,200 and £15,300 per year to live in Glasgow, plus programme costs. Much will depend on your lifestyle and whether your course runs for three or four terms. 

Programmes within the School of Music have a range of associated costs related to the specific activities required and advised by the programme team. You can find an indication of these costs below: 

School-of-Music-Programme-Costs.pdf 

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. You can read our guidance about using UCAS Conservatoires on our dedicated How to Apply page. 

Applicants will also be required to create an Acceptd account and submit an Acceptd application when they apply, which will be used for scheduling auditions.

We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2027, you must apply next year.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require the following programmes codes to apply: 445F

The closing date for all on-time applications is 2 October 2025 (UK) and 1 December 2025 (International).  If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that your application 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 if we are accepting late applications.

Application/Audition fees

There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £28.95. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition assessment administration fee. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland charges an audition assessment administration fee of £65 for this programme.

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.

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.

Please note that the Conservatoire is obliged to offer one audition date per application. If you are unable to submit your application/audition recording by the deadline date above, you must email us immediately stating the reason. 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.

Audition Information

In-person auditions are planned to take place at various locations across the world. Should you apply on time, an audition time slot will be sent to you via Acceptd. You must create an Acceptd account regardless of your audition location. An interview will form part of your audition; this is a chance for the panel to find out more about you and is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the programme.

Audition Repertoire

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

Successful candidates will show potential to develop their beliefs and skills through the programme.

Glasgow Auditions

Our Glasgow auditions will take place at RCS from 3-7 November 2025.

All in-person auditions will be given a twenty-minute warm up slot prior to their audition. Please see the audition repertoire requirements above for guidance on what to perform in your audition.

Overseas Auditions

Audition Dates:

  • Singapore, November 2026, Location TBC
  • Qingdao, November 2025, The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao (specific audition dates to be confirmed)
  • Seoul, 29 November 2025, Rene Music Hall
  • Los Angeles, 24 & 25 January 2026, Location TBC
  • Chicago, 27 & 28 January 2026, Location TBC
  • New York, 30 & 31 January 2026, Location TBC
  • Toronto, January 2026, Location TBC (specific audition dates to be confirmed)

Our overseas auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department. Please note for live overseas auditions, we cannot guarantee that a member of our teaching staff for your specific discipline will be on the panel.

All applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano).

All applicants will need to provide their own pianist for overseas auditions.

Deadlines:

  • Qingdao, Singapore and Seoul: UCAS Conservatoires applications and Acceptd submissions must be submitted by 2 October 2025.
  • Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Toronto: UCAS Conservatoires applications and Acceptd submissions must be submitted by 1 December 2025.

Recorded Auditions

We highly recommend that you audition for us live in person in Glasgow or at one of our overseas locations, as this will give you an opportunity to meet some of the teaching staff here at RCS. However, if you are unable to attend an audition at one of our overseas locations please select the Recorded Submission option your application.

Following review of the recorded submission, applicants may be invited to a live online audition/interview at the discretion of the relevant Head of Department. You may be asked to perform additional repertoire or complete a small aural task as part of this process. If you are recalled, further details and meeting links will be sent to you.

All recorded submissions should contain a spoken introduction in English. Please tell us:

  • Your name
  • A bit about your musical background and training you’ve had till now
  • Your musical ambitions
  • Your reasons for applying to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

This video should be no longer than 3 minutes long and separate to your performance video

Your recorded submission must be submitted to Acceptd by the relevant application deadline. You can read our guidance and top tips for recording your audition on School of Music Recorded Audition Guidelines

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the audition process for your relevant location, you can contact us at the following:

Audition Repertoire

Details of required audition repertoire can be found in the tabs below, broken down by department.

Horn: Mozart Concerto No. 2 in E flat, K.417 or Mozart Concerto No. 4 in E flat, K495, and a piece of your own choice

Trumpet: Haydn Concerto in E flat or Hummel Concerto E flat or E, and a piece of your own choice

Cornet: Haydn Concerto in E flat or Hummel Concerto E flat or E, and a piece of your own choice

Tenor Trombone: F David Concerto for Trombone or L Grondahl Concerto for Trombone, and a piece of your own choice.

Bass Trombone: E Bozza New Orleans or Lebedev Concerto in One Movement, and a piece of your own choice

Euphonium: J Horovitz — Euphonium Concerto (Novello), and a piece of your own choice

Tuba (H4): E Gregson Concerto for Tuba or Vaughan Williams Concerto for Tuba, and a piece of your own choice

Guitar:

Any one movement from:

  • Bach’s Lute Suites, Violin Sonatas or Partitas, Cello Suites or equivalent works (Scarlatti, Weiss etc)
  • and a movement from a major concerto (Rodrigo, Villa Lobos, Ponce, etc)
  • or a major performance piece from 20th or 21st Century (Walton – Bagatelles, Ginastera – Sonata, Britten – Nocturnal, Dyens Libre Sonatine)

Harp:

A movement from any substantial concerto and a major work written after 1900 and the following orchestral cadenzas:

  • Smetana: Vysehrad from Ma Vlast
  • Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

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)

Violin:

  • First movement from a major concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work of your choice. This can be from the standard repertoire or from any genre or cultural background that reflects your interests as an artist.

Viola:

  • First movement from a major concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work of your choice. This can be from the standard repertoire or from any genre or cultural background that reflects your interests as an artist.

Cello

  • First movement from a major concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work of your choice. This can be from the standard repertoire or from any genre or cultural background that reflects your interests as an artist.

Double Bass:

  • First movement from a standard concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work

Timpani:

  • Bartók Concerto for Orchestra, the Intermezzo (available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Bartok Violin Concerto Nr.2, slow movement from upbeat to figure 12 to 3rd bar of figure 16
  • Strauss Der Rosenkavalier (‘Big Waltz’) (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Hindemith Sinfonische Metamorphosen (‘Turandot Scherzo’) (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)

Xylophone:

  • Prokofiev Alexander Nevsky (Available in the Goldenberg Book)
  • Gershwin Porgy and Bess (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Hindemith Kammermusik, ‘Movements 1 and 4’ (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)

Vibraphone:

  • Bernstein ‘Cool’, West Side Story (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)

Snare Drum:

  • Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, ‘Movements 3 and 4’ (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Ravel Rhapsodie Espagnol ‘Movements 3 and 4’ (available in Hathaway Snare Drum Book)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol (available in the Goldenberg Book)
  • Suppé Pique Dame (available in the Goldenberg Book)

Candidates should prepare:

  • Four contrasting classical pieces, at least one of which should be in English and one in a foreign language
  • A short poetry or prose reading in English lasting no longer than 2 minutes

One of the items should be an aria from an oratorio or opera, preferably with the recitative; another should be a German Lied or French mélodie. Candidates will be asked to choose their first piece, and the panel will then choose a further one or two pieces.

A typical programme may include a recitative and aria from an oratorio or opera, a German Lied, a French mélodie, an English Art Song and a short poetry reading.

Flute: Mozart Concerto in G major (1st and 2nd movements)

Oboe: Mozart Concerto in C major (1st and 2nd movements)

Clarinet: Mozart Concerto in A major (1st and 2nd movements)

Bassoon: Mozart Concerto in Bb major (1st and 2nd movements)

Saxophone: Glazunov Concerto in Eb major

  1. OLEO by Sonny Rollins (Rhythm Changes)
    • Key: Bb [Vocalists choose their key]
    • Tempo: Fast
    • Melody Form: AABA (32 bars)
    • Improvisation Duration: Minimum 4 x AABA
    • Aims:
      • Introduce your performance
      • Play original improvisation interacting musically with live musicians or with an Aebersold play-a-long (Vol. 6 Track 10, Vol. 7 Track 5, Vol. 8 Track 9, Vol. 47 Track 1)
      • Drummers play melody rhythmically, comp time, and improvise over form
      • The chordal player must comp on one chorus
    • Avoid:
      • Electronic play-a-longs like iRealPro
      • Transcribed or pre-prepared solos
  1. Original Composition
    • Aims:
      • Perform a contrasting piece (Even 8th, Latin, Ballad, 3/4, Original, etc.,)
    • Avoid:
      • Rhythm Changes or Blues
  • Performance of a programme of approximately 15 minutes on your principal study
  • Applicants are asked to give brief spoken introductions to each item performed and their compositions may be included

References

It is your responsibility to nominate a referee as part of your UCAS Conservatoires application form. We may contact this referee after your audition if the panel feels they need more information.

We will not accept references from family, other relatives or close friends. You can read guidance about nominating your referee on the UCAS Conservatoires website.

Policy

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

Why RCS?

We are the only place in Europe where you can study all of the performing arts on the one campus. There is a distinctive creative energy at RCS and you’ll be made to feel part of our inclusive and diverse environment from the very beginning of your studies.

Our graduates are resourceful, highly employable and members of a dynamic community of artists who make a significant impact across the globe.

At RCS, students develop not just their art but their power to use it.

Why RCS

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World Top Ten

We were voted one of the world’s Top Ten destinations to study the performing arts (QS Rankings) in 2025, the ninth time we have been placed in the top ten since the ranking was established in 2016.

Perform & Collaborate
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Perform & Collaborate

Our curriculum is built around performance and collaboration and we hold professional partnerships with all of Scotland’s National Companies. Join forces across artforms and be part of the 500+ performances we give each year.

Outstanding Alumni
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Outstanding Alumni

Our graduates are employed across the world and we take pride in the impact they have on their art forms. We’ll equip you with the skills to thrive as a professional and join their ranks.

Learn from the Best
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Learn from the Best

More than 1,000 lecturers, tutors, artists, technicians, co-ordinators and support staff work at RCS across all our art forms. Study with some of the finest educators and performing and production artists in the UK.

A Campus Built for You
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A Campus Built for You

Our facilities are world-class. From rehearsal rooms and recording studios to our five professional performance venues, we have a campus to showcase and develop emerging artists to the highest standards.