Welcome to our pages for the Fair Access department here at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).

Fair Access at RCS is about ensuring that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to study in performing or production arts education. We are specifically funded to promote and provide fairer access to Higher Education. We prioritise working with people who are one or more of the following:

We provide a range of opportunities from taster sessions to more advanced activities in preparing for higher education courses, working with some of the best artists and teachers across the UK. 

The three main Fair Access initiatives here at RCS are:

  • The Fair Access Outreach programme, working closely with communities to provide open-access workshops and opportunities for people to engage in drama, dance, music, production and film.
  • Widening Access to the Creative Industries (WACI) which provides entry-level short courses, workshops, masterclasses and information and guidance for school pupils in the West of Scotland.
  • Transitions which is an auditioned programme for people with talent and potential to help them prepare for undergraduate study at RCS. Transitions is for all people across the whole of Scotland with no upper age limit.

We believe that the performing and production arts needs voices from different backgrounds. We need the whole of society to be reflected in our industries. 

If you’re not sure how we can help you, get in touch. You can also find out more about what we do below.

To get in touch:

Email the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

View our latest events and opportunities

Calendar

Fair Access

Behind The Scenes

Introducing

Transitions

” I remember being so inspired by an older Transitions flautist and seeing his success really did inspire me to push on to where I am today.”

– Molly Gribbon

About Transitions

Our activities focus on creative learning, designed to nurture your understanding of arts training at conservatoire level and to equip you with the transferable skills and qualities you need to excel as a student and beyond. We offer a wide variety of funded opportunities including tuition, coaching, masterclasses, personal development and more.

To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

  • you are 16+ if interested in either drama, film or production
  • you are 7+ if interested in music or ballet
  • you have not completed a higher education programme

And are one or more of the following:

  • you live in an SIMD1 postcode
  • or you are a care experienced and/or an estranged young person

Or are living in an SIMD1 or SIMD2 postcode and:

  • living rurally
  • Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC)
  • a young carer

To find out more:

Visit our website at:  portal.rcs.ac.uk/transitions

Email the team at: transitions@rcs.ac.uk

Introducing

Widening Access to the Creative Industries

” WACI is a really fun, educational experience where I got the chance to improve my skills, play games, and talk with people who have the same interests as me.”

About WACI

Widening Access to the Creative Industries – affectionately known as WACI – is run by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is part of their Fair Access provision. It is funded by the Scottish Funding Council.

To be eligible:

We offer a wide variety of fully-funded opportunities for young people in Scotland. We prioritise working with people who are:

We support pupils in their journey to study the performing and production arts at college, university or conservatoire level offering taster workshops, short courses, performance trips and preparation classes in getting you ready for the next steps.

Click on the image to watch video to find out more about WACI.

To find out more:

Visit our website at: portal.rcs.ac.uk/waci

Email the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk