MMus/MA Jazz

Tuition fees

UK:  

• MMus:  
  • Full-time: £12,870 
  • Part-time: £27,467 

• MA:
  • £17,875 

International: 

• MMus 
  • Full-time: £27,467 
  • Part-time: £13,734 

• MA:
  • £35,090 

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 

Apply via UCAS Conservatoires

Applications are made through the 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 2025, you must apply next year.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require the following program codes to apply: MMus – 808F / MA – 807F

The closing date for all on-time UK applications is 2 October 2023, and for international applications is 1 December 2023.  If you submit your application after these dates, 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 £27.50. 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.

Policy

We have a number of policies and statements which you should read when applying to study at the Royal Conservatoire.

Please select the links below to read each policy.

• Feedback policy
• Equality and diversity
• Applicants with disabilities
• Guidance for applicants with criminal convictions
• Admissions policy

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.

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, 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. We have a specific period allocation to audition and all on-time applications will receive a decision before Christmas. If your audition recording is delayed, there is a risk that places will already have been taken and your application may not be considered in the first round of scholarship allocation. 

Audition Information

All auditions are planned to take place in person at our campus in Glasgow in November 2023.  Should you apply on time, you will be e-mailed directly with details of your audition date and time, and your UCAS Conservatoires track will be updated with this information.  

  International applicants are welcome to submit a recorded submission via Acceptd. 

 Recording Guidelines: 

•  When setting up for your video recording, your body (typically, from about the waist up) and instrument should be the focal point of the frame. The committee wants to be able to see not just your face but how well you navigate your instrument. 
• The video recording should be provided in ONE continuous shot without separate tracks for different musical pieces. 
• Please begin the recording by introducing yourself to the camera and stating what you will be performing. You can take a little time between pieces so long as your body must remain in the frame. 

• For any pieces that were written for your instrument and piano accompaniment, you are encouraged to perform with piano accompaniment (whether live or pre-recorded) if practical for you. Be assured, however, that if this is not possible for you, then you will not be disadvantaged in any way. 

For more information on recording a video audition, Guitar Lecturer Matthew McCallister reveals his top tips on recording your music audition online:

The audition will assess the candidate’s suitability for the programme in terms of knowledge, experience and commitment. The panel will be looking for the following: 

• A high degree of technical competency in the instrument or voice in the service of a 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 concerning the repertoire performed 
• A degree of self-sufficiency, initiative and independence in selecting, preparing and performing a particular programme 
• A developing musical personality 

Details of the repertoire requested for your in-person audition and recorded submission can be found below: 

The MA/MMus Jazz pathway audition is designed to assess an applicant’s improvisational skills. You can perform with a live section or a play-a-long/minus-one backing track: 

1. OLEO by Sonny Rollins (Rhythm Changes)

• Key: Bb [Vocalists choose their key] 
• Tempo: Fast 
• Melody Form: AABA (32 bars) 
• Improvisation Duration: Minimum 4 x AABA
  • Aims:  
    • Introduce your performance 
    • Play original improvisation interacting musically with live musicians or with an Aebersold play-a-long (Vol. 6 Track 10, Vol. 7 Track 5, Vol. 8 Track 9, Vol. 47 Track 1) 
    • Drummers play melody rhythmically, comp time, and improvise over form 
    • The chordal player must comp on one chorus
  • Avoid: 
    • Electronic play-a-longs like iRealPro 
    • Transcribed or pre-prepared solos 

2. Original Composition

• Aims:
  • Perform a contrasting piece (Even 8th, Latin, Ballad, 3/4, Original, etc.,) 
• Avoid:
  • Rhythm Changes or Blues