MMus/MA Joint Principal Study
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Overview
The MMus/MA Joint Principal Study (JPS) degree is intended for exceptional students who are capable of performing at masters level in more than one discipline. Your study will be shared between two departments, with both individual lessons and supporting classes split between disciplines.
Possible combinations include:
- Two instruments from different families within the performance strand, e.g. piano and cello
- Two genres, such as jazz and traditional music; jazz and (classical) performance; or traditional music and (classical) performance
- Two disciplines, such as composition and percussion
The following strands are self-contained specialisms, and may not be combined with another strand as part of a JPS route:
- Chamber Music
- Conducting
- Performance and Pedagogy
- Performance and Musicology
- Piano for Dance
- Repetiteurship
The following cases do not constitute joint principal study:
- Students pursuing two instruments within the same family e.g. violin and viola, piano and harpsichord, flute and piccolo, and similar doublings
- Jazz and Traditional students who both perform and compose as part of their discipline
Acceptance onto the Joint Principal Study strand is exceptional, and is only offered to students who are able to demonstrate the requisite level of skill and commitment across both areas.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2025
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2025 (2 October 2025 for Keyboard principal study)
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
815F - MMus OR 816F - MA
Audition Fee:
£65
Application Fee:
£28.95
Please note
This course is subject to revalidation
Our Departments
Students on the MMus/MA Joint Principal Study pathway can choose from the following principal studies:
Programme Structure
- MMus Stage 1 / MA Stage 1
- MA Stage 2
- MMus Stage 2
- What is the difference between the MMus and the MA?
Principal Study 1 – 80 credits
- Individual lessons divided between departments as negotiated
- 4 negotiated performance assessments, normally two for each discipline
Graduate Studies 1 – 30/20/10 credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as performance classes, coaching, languages and masterclasses
Practice Research – 10 credits
- Research project
Options – 0/10/20 credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music, School of Stage and Screen, and School of Dance
Negotiated Study – 60 credits
- Individual composition, performance or academic project
Principal Study 2 – 90 credits
- Individual lessons divided between departments as negotiated
- 4 negotiated performance assessments, normally two for each discipline
Graduate Studies 2 – 30/20/10 credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as performance classes, coaching, languages and masterclasses
Options – 0/10/20 credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music, School of Stage and Screen, and School of Dance
The MMus is the standard two-year programme undertaken by most students.
The MA is a shortened version of the programme for students who wish to get a Masters degree in a single year of study.
The first three terms of the MMus and MA are identical: MA students complete a further module in term 4 in order to complete the degree in a single year. There is no difference in the nature of the degrees: both concentrate mainly on performance rather than academic work.
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 when they apply, which will be used for scheduling auditions. More information about this process will be available soon.
We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2026, you must apply next year.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require the following programmes codes to apply: 815F – MMus Joint Principal Study OR 816F – MA Joint Principal Study
The closing date for on-time MMus/MA Joint Principal Study applications for UK students is 2 October 2025 and for International students is 1 December 2025, unless you are applying for principal study in Keyboard, in which case the closing date for ALL on-time applications is 2 October 2025. 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 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.
Selection process
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. We have a specific period allocation to audition and all on time applications will receive a decision before Christmas. 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 invitation to book an audition time slot will be sent to you via Acceptd. You must create an Acceptd account regardless of your audition location to be able to select your audition time.
An interview will form part of your audition, this is a chance for the panel to find out more about you, as well having an opportunity for you to ask questions about the programme.
The RCS audition panel will consist of a relevant departmental staff member and the Head of Department. Our international auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department.
All in-person auditions will be given a twenty-minute warm up slot prior to their audition.
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.
Recorded Auditions
International applicants are welcome to submit a recorded submission via Acceptd. More information about this, including recording guidelines, can be found on our Music Recorded Auditions page.
Audition Repertoire
Details of required audition repertoire can be found in the tabs below, broken down by department.
- Brass
- Guitar and Harp
- Keyboard
- Strings
- Timpani and Percussion
- Vocal Performance
- Woodwind
- Jazz
- Scottish folk/Traditional
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
- 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
- Original Composition
-
- Aims:
- Perform a contrasting piece (Even 8th, Latin, Ballad, 3/4, Original, etc.,)
- Avoid:
- Rhythm Changes or Blues
- Aims:
- 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 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.
Policy
We have a number of policies and pages which you should read when applying to study at the Royal Conservatoire:
Entry Requirements
Academic 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.
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.
Music Requirements
A strong indication of potential is sought at the entrance audition for this programme. Successful applicants will normally be of a standard at least equivalent to Grade 8 with Distinction of the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music in their Principal Study. You can apply and audition without having obtained Grade 8 with distinction, however as an indication only, applicants are normally expected to have reached this standard in their performance.
Fees & Funding
Tuition Fees
For academic year 2025/26:
Excluding Vocal Performance
MMus
Full-time:
- Home: £13,308
- International: £28,401
Part-time:
- Home: £6,654
MA:
- Home: £18,483
- International: £36,283
Vocal Performance
Full-time:
- Home: £14,428
- International: £29,738
Part-time:
- Home: £7,214
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:
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:
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.
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