MMus/MA Performance & Musicology

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.

We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2028, you must apply next year.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require the following programmes codes to apply: MMus Performance and Musicology – 813F OR MA Performance and Musicology – 814F

The closing date for UK applications is 1 October 2026, and for International applications is 1 December 2026.  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 £34.50. 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 based on merit and potential. However, due attention is also paid to the range of Principal Studies accepted to ensure the optimum experience for each student and to sustain the critical mass required for curricular 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.

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:

• Admissions Policy
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Support for Disabled Students

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.

The RCS audition panel in Glasgow will consist of a relevant departmental staff member and the Head of Department. Our international auditions will consist of one panel member that may not be from the department you are auditioning for, 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.

All applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano). Applicants auditioning overseas will also need to provide their own pianist where relevant.

There is no separate audition process for our Scholarship awards. You will be considered as part of the audition process.

Audition Repertoire

Audition repertoire requirements depend on which principal study you are applying for. You can find this information on the individual postgraduate department pages in the ‘How to Apply’ section:

• Brass
• Guitar & Harp
• Keyboard
• Strings
• Timpani & Percussion
• Vocal Performance
• Woodwind

Audition Dates

• Glasgow, 2-6 November 2026, Renfrew Street Campus
• Singapore, 14 November 2026, School of the Arts
• Qingdao, 18, 19 & 20 November 2026, The Yehudi Menuhin School, Qingdao
• Seoul, TBC 22 November 2026, Venue TBC
• Toronto, 24 January 2027, University of Toronto
• Los Angeles, January 2027, date and location TBC
• San Francisco, January 2027, date and location TBC 
• Chicago, January 2027, date and location TBC
• New York, January 2027, date and location TBC

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

Please note, we are unable to audition applicants to the Jazz, Traditional Music and Timpani and Percussion pathways at our overseas locations.

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.

Overseas Applicants

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 1 October 2026.
• Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Toronto: UCAS Conservatoires applications and Acceptd submissions must be submitted by 1 December 2026.

All keyboard applicants who will not attend the in-person auditions in the US or Canada MUST submit their application by the 1 October 2026

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 in 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 audition must be submitted to Acceptd by the listed application deadline (2 October for UK applicants, 1 December for International applicants).

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:

• Glasgow & Recorded Submissions: admissions@rcs.ac.uk
• All International Auditions: internationalauditions@rcs.ac.uk

Tuition Fees

For academic year 2026/27:

• MMusFull-time:
  • Home: £13,707
  • International: £29,786

  Part-time:

  • Home: £6,853

  MA:

  • Home: £19,037
  • International: £37,372

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

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