Advanced Artist Diploma in Music Performance

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. If you wish to apply to conservatoires and universities within UCAS, you will need to register for both services.

You can read our guidance about using UCAS Conservatoires on our dedicated How to Apply page.

We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2027, you must apply next year.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require the following programmes codes to apply: Advanced Artist Diploma – 446F

The closing date for on-time Advanced Artist Diploma applications for UK students is 2 October 2025 and for International students is 1 December 2025 (except keyboard which must submit by 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. 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.

All in-person auditions will be given a twenty-minute warm up slot prior to their audition.

Audition Dates

• Glasgow, 3 – 7 November 2025
• Qingdao, November 2025 Audition Location: The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao (specific audition dates to be confirmed)
• Seoul, 29 November 2025. Audition Location: Rene Music Hall
• Singapore, 17 & 18 January 2026. Audition Location: TBC
• Los Angeles, 24 & 25 January 2026. Audition Location: TBC
• Chicago, 27 & 28 January 2026. Audition Location: TBC
• New York, 30 & 31 January 2026. Audition Location: TBC
• Toronto, January 2026. Audition Location: TBC (specific audition dates to be confirmed)

Please note, our locations are subject to change at short notice. If you choose a location that becomes unavailable, we will be in touch to offer an alternative, this will likely be a recorded submission. 

Overseas Applicants

We are operating a pre-screening process for all international applicants. Applicants wishing to audition overseas are required to submit a video audition as the first round of the assessment process (those applying to audition in-person in Glasgow are not required to submit a pre-screening video). All videos must be submitted to your Acceptd account before the below deadlines. There is no set repertoire for the pre-screening round, and you are welcome to perform different repertoire should you be successfully offered a live audition.

All pre-screening submissions must 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 3 to 5 minutes long and separate to your performance video.

For in-person auditions being held in Qingdao and Seoul: UCAS Conservatoire applications and Acceptd submissions must be submitted by the deadline of 2 October 2025.

For in-person auditions being held in Singapore, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Toronto: UCAS Conservatoire applications and Acceptd submissions must be submitted by the deadline of 1 December 2025.

All keyboard applicants who will not attend the in-person auditions in the US or Canada MUST submit their application by the 2 October 2025.

If successfully offered a live in-person audition at one of our overseas locations, then applicants applying from that country will be expected to attend in person. We strongly encourage people to attend in person to be able to meet some of our staff members face to face and ask questions about our programmes, and life at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Be aware that some departments may have additional requirements needed at audition, please check the relevant page on our website for more information.

*Please note for live 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 accompanist for overseas auditions.

If you have chosen to audition live in-person, but due to extenuating circumstances your situation changes, you must contact us immediately after submitting your application so we can confirm if alternative arrangements are possible. This will be completed on a case-by-case basis.

If you are unable to attend a live audition, then we offer a recorded submission option. More information about this, including recording guidelines, can be found on our Music Recorded Auditions page. Recorded submissions will go through the same pre-screening process, and applicants may be invited to a live online audition 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.

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

If you have any questions about the audition process for your relevant location, you can contact us at the following:

• Glasgow: auditions@rcs.ac.uk
• Qingdao: chinaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
• Seoul: koreaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
• Singapore: hello@rcs.ac.uk
• LA / Chicago / NYC: usaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
• Toronto: canadaauditions@rcs.ac.uk

Please see the relevant postgraduate departmental page for information on what to prepare for 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.

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:

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

Tuition Fees

For academic year 2025/26:

• Home: £7,320
• International: £14,471

Please note these fees are subject to change.

Funding & Scholarships

Please note, this programme is not eligible for US Federal Loans.

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