The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) has retained its position as one of the world’s top institutions to study the performing arts, according to prestigious global rankings published today (Wednesday 25 March).

Scotland’s national conservatoire is in the global top ten of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, one of the most influential sources of comparative data about university performance.

RCS is ranked seven for Music and nine for Performing Arts. The institution has made the top ten a total of ten times since the Performing Arts ranking was introduced in 2016.

RCS graduates, including Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA winners and nominees, shape creative industries across the UK and internationally, driving a sector that contributes more than £5 billion to Scotland’s economy each year and defining the nation’s cultural identity on the world stage.

The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject provides independent comparative analysis on the performance of more than 18,300 individual university programmes, taken by students at more than 1700 universities in 100 locations around the world, across 55 disciplines.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “This is the first year we’ve been specifically assessed by QS for our Music teaching as a separate category, and also this year we have now achieved a top ten world ranking by QS a total of ten times since the Performing Arts education ranking was introduced in 2016.

“It is a remarkable achievement that reflects the strength, versatility and quality of the learning, teaching, research and engagement at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

“The arts in Scotland, across the UK and internationally, have such a vital role to play in connecting us, sharing our stories, and bringing diverse people together. Sustainable funding in the arts is always challenging, never more so than now.

“Despite these pressures, the rankings highlight the continued international excellence of RCS training and the global impact of our community.

“This recognition belongs to our students, staff, graduates, donors and stakeholders, who against many challenges, continue to work together to make RCS the special place that it is.”

Established in 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of only a few institutions worldwide to offer degree programmes across the full range of performing and production arts.

The variety of artistic disciplines at RCS, and a vibrant global community of students from around 60 countries, cultivates creativity and collaboration, where students develop their craft in classical and traditional music, opera, jazz, musical theatre, acting, ballet, film, education and production arts, management and technology.

Highlights from the last year at RCS include accordionist Sofía Ros named BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician of the Year 2025 and pianist Ethan Loch and Composition lecturer David Fennessy recognised with Royal Philharmonic Society Award nominations.

Global star and graduate James McAvoy returned to RCS to meet students, including recipients of the James McAvoy Drama Scholarship, offering personal insights into the industry.

RCS marked 75 years of stage and screen training by celebrating the actors, directors, filmmakers, designers, producers and creatives who continue to shape the arts.

From Hollywood, Broadway and West End stars to leading figures in television, theatre and the creative industries, the institution has nurtured generations of artists whose work inspires audiences around the world.

RCS also bestowed honorary doctorates on a distinguished group of international artists – theatre visionary Bunny Christie, pop icon Lulu, jazz pioneer Wynton Marsalis, actor and alumnus Jack Lowden, and theatre director Philip Howard.

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Students in the 2025 annual ballet performance © Andy Ross