MMus/MA Accompaniment
Piano Accompaniment is a varied and challenging postgraduate programme which will prepare you for a demanding profession.
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Overview
Alongside a team of highly experienced professional accompanists and chamber musicians, you will engage in a range of collaborative opportunities to prepare you for this demanding profession working with students and lecturers from all departments at RCS.
Developing core accompaniment skills form the foundation of the Accompaniment programme. In addition to the extensive development of standard accompaniment repertoire, additional supporting skills are also cultivated in regular group classes including; sight-reading, orchestral reductions, transposition, figured bass, choral accompaniment, vocal and instrumental coaching and languages.
MMus Accompanists also enjoy extensive performing opportunities, whether in concerts, competitions or accompanying students. The programme provides a wide range of choices for assessment, including studio recordings, commissions of new collaborative works, independent projects and full-length recitals.
Students who have graduated in this course have gone on to have professional careers as accompanists and work for a wide range of institutions and organisations throughout the world. Graduates also work in the fields of music education, arts management and administration, and music in the community, where an MMus degree is highly valued.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2nd October 2023
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1st December 2023
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
MA: 831F / MMus: 893F
Audition Fee:
£65.00
Application Fee:
£27.50
Meet the Staff
Programme Structure
Principal Study 1 – 80 Credits (H5)
- 27 weeks of 90-minute individual lessons
- 2-3 negotiated performance assessments
Supporting Studies 1 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as performance classes, ensembles, rehearsals and masterclasses
Practice Research – 10 Credits
- Research project
Options – 0/10/20 Credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music and School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film
Negotiated Study – 60 Credits
- Individual composition, performance or academic project
Principal Study 2 – 90 Credits
- 27 weeks of 90-minute individual lessons
- 2-3 negotiated performance assessments
Supporting Studies 2 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as performance classes, ensembles, rehearsals and masterclasses
Options – 0/10/20 Credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music and School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film
The MMus is the standard two-year programme undertaken by most students.
The MA is a shortened programme for students who wish to get a Master’s degree in a single year of study.
The first three terms of the MMus and MA are identical: MA students complete a further module in term 4 to complete the degree in a single year. There is no difference in the nature of the degrees: both concentrate mainly on performance rather than academic work.
Graduate Destinations
Students who have graduated in this course have gone on to have professional careers as accompanists and work for a wide range of institutions and organisations throughout the world. Graduates also work in the fields of music education, arts management and administration, and music in the community, where an MMus degree is highly valued.
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements
Candidates for both the MMus and MA 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.
In addition to the general entry requirements, candidates will preferably already have public performance experience of working with singers and instrumentalists. Knowledge of a specialist area of relevant repertoire (e.g. vocal, string, wind) is also desirable.
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.
Direct entry
Applications for direct entry beyond Year 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and following the Royal Conservatoire’s Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning policy. If you wish to apply for direct entry, please mark the point of entry on the UCAS Conservatoires application as 2 or 3.
Fees & Funding
Tuition fees
UK:
MMus:
- Full-time: £12,870
- Part-time: £6,435
MA:
- £17,875
International (including EU):
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:
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:
How to Apply
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: MA: 831F / MMus: 893F
The closing date for all on-time UK applications is 2nd October 2023 and for International applications the 1st December 2023.
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 £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:
Through audition, applicants will be required to demonstrate:
- 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/recorded submission can be found below.
Applicants will be required to source their singer and instrumentalist. RCS will provide applicants with a singer and an instrumentalist should they attend an in-person audition and choose the set repertoire as noted below. Recorded submissions and changes from set repertoires will require the applicant to source their singer and instrumentalist.
- Instrumental : Beethoven Cello Sonata in C Op. 102 No.1 (Andante — Allegro vivace)
- Vocal: Schubert — Ganymed (Key Ab) and Debussy — Mandoline (Opening note “G” in piano part)
We would also accept three contrasting accompanied works of your choosing.
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:
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.
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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.