MMus Performance & Pedagogy
Develop your knowledge, understanding and skills to teach music education as an instrumental or vocal studies instructor.
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Overview
The MMus Performance and Pedagogy offers the opportunity to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills related to learning, teaching, and assessment in music education as an instrumental/vocal studies instructor. The programme emphasises the value of learning and teaching as a professional activity; supports the development of your identity as an instrumental/vocal studies instructor and explores teaching as a key component of your continuing growth as a performing artist.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
1 October 2026
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2026
Course Start Date:
20 September 2027
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
810F
Audition Fee:
£65.00
Application Fee:
£34.50
Please note
This course is subject to revalidation
Why Study Performance & Pedagogy at RCS?
High-Quality Tuition, Small Class Sizes, & Mentoring Schemes
You will receive the highest quality tuition from expert teachers, many of whom are players in national companies, in small classes. This offers you direct and personalised instruction to enhance your practice. Additionally, you can access mentoring schemes with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera and Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Further opportunities to undertake additional performance studies are also included in the curriculum.
GTCS Qualification
The completion of the MMus Performance and Pedagogy strand will allow you to reach the standard required to pursue affiliation as an instrumental/vocal instructor with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). You will be guaranteed placements in schools and other specialist music learning contexts
Excellent Career Prospects
You will join graduates who have excellent employment success. Many of our students obtain employment with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Our close working relationships with colleagues in the Education departments of Glasgow City Council and North Lanarkshire Council will support your networking and boost your career prospects.
Programme Structure
Principal Study 1 – 60 Credits
- Individual Lessons (27 Hours)
- 2-3 Negotiated Performance Assessments
Graduate Studies 1 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities such as performance classes, ensembles and masterclasses
Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy 1 – 30 Credits
- Group Classes
- Placement
- Assessed using a 3000-word reflective analysis and observation of teaching practice
Options – 0/10/20 Credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music, School of Stage and Screen and School of Dance
Principal Study 2 – 60 Credits
- Individual Lessons (27 Hours)
- 2-3 Negotiated Performance/Composition Assessments
Graduate Studies 2 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as performance classes, coaching, languages and masterclasses
Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy 2 – 30 Credits
- Group Classes
- Placement
- Assessed using a 3000-word enquiry and observation of teaching practice
Options – 0/10/20 Credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music, School of Stage and Screen and School of Dance
It may be possible to undertake this programme part-time, over three or four years. However this is highly exceptional and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you are interested in studying Performance and Pedagogy on a part-time basis, please get in touch with our admissions team: admissions@rcs.ac.uk to explore this possibility.
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.
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: 810F
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.
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:
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.
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, as well having an opportunity for you to ask questions about the programme.
The RCS audition panel (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.
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.
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
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:
Interview Information
As part of your audition, there will be an interview with a member of the pedagogy staff to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for study in the area of instrumental and/or vocal teaching. This will either be live in-person or live online depending on which audition location you have chosen.
You may ask you to share your understanding of:
- The professional values of an instrumental teacher
- The skill set required to be an effective instrumental teacher
- Your interests and experiences of curricula, pedagogy and the learning context
- Performer versus teacher – thoughts?
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements
Candidates for both the MMus 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 is English. Applicants whose 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.
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 2026/27:
- Home: £13,707
- International: £29,786
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:
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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.
World Top Ten
We were ranked one of the world’s Top Ten destinations to study both music and the performing arts (QS Rankings) in 2026, the 10th time we have been placed in the top ten since the ranking was established in 2016.
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
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
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
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.