The Strings Department offers outstanding opportunities to explore your musical passions.
With a high staff-student ratio, we have a friendly and supportive learning environment that responds to individual needs and promotes initiatives.
String players working at the highest levels have used the experiences and connections made at RCS as a springboard into the profession as soloists, chamber and orchestral musicians and as teachers. They have also taken advantage of the flexibility built into the postgraduate programme to explore an extraordinary range of projects, collaborating across different musical genres and disciplines including poetry, visual artists and video.
The majority of our teaching staff are professional musicians working in Scotland and beyond. Being surrounded by four professional orchestras in Glasgow alone and the only Conservatoire in Scotland, the Department is integrated into the professional musical life of Glasgow and our students are in regular contact with it through personal contact as well as apprenticeship schemes. Students search for identity through creativity and artistic experimentation, and develop a clear overview of what it is to live and work as musicians today.
The MMus/MA programme is divided into Stage 1 and Stage 2. Stage 1 is common to both degrees, and may also lead to the exit award of PGDip. In Stage 2, MMus and MA students follow different pathways leading to their respective degrees.
Principal Study 1 — 80 SCQF credits
Supporting Studies 1 — 30, 20 or 10 SCQF credits
Practice Research — 10 SCQF credits
Options — 0, 10 or 20 SCQF credits
Principal Study
The Principal Study is focussed primarily on your individual development as a musician. The central plank of learning and teaching in this module is the one-to-one lesson with an expert tutor. These lessons will form part of an ongoing cycle of individual practice and reflection, and will require you to devote a substantial amount of time to independent learning. Alongside this individual activity, there will be time allocated to group activity that will be assessed as part of your Principal Study, such as orchestral, opera, or chamber performances.
Term 1
20 Credits
Pass/Fail
Continous Observation
Supporting Studies
Supporting Studies incorporates many of the distinctive features of conservatoire study, and contributes towards the creation of a near-professional learning environment.
In this module, you will have the opportunity to take part in a range of negotiated activities in support of both of your Principal Study and your development as an emerging professional.
The emphasis is on working with your peers, whether through the presentation of performance classes or collaborative activities such as chamber music, orchestra or ensemble work. The module also incorporates a series of cohort-wide graduate seminars, addressing such areas as research skills, critical thinking, professional development, reflective practice, health and wellbeing, and equality and diversity.
Term 1
20 Credits
Pass/Fail
Continous Observation
Practice Research
This module challenges you to examine critically an aspect of your arts practice by means of an individually-negotiated portfolio of research, reflection and/or documentation. Over the course of your studies, with the support of a supervisor, you will assemble a portfolio of documentation and reflective writing that interrogates a self-chosen research focus and communicates your findings.
Term 1
20 Credits
Pass/Fail
Continous Observation
Options
Options give space within the curriculum for you to engage in studies which enhance your professional versatility, by pursuing areas of interest either close to or far away from your core discipline. The range of modules available is very wide, including options drawn from the undergraduate programmes in both the School of Music and the School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film.
The design of the programme puts no restrictions on the level of the options/s chosen. There is a significant range of choice available in the amount of credit taken in this way, with students free to choose pathways which place greater weight on Supporting Studies.
Term 1
20 Credits
Pass/Fail
Continous Observation
Principal Study 2 — 90 SCQF credits
Supporting Studies 2 — 30, 20 or 10 SCQF credits
Options — 0, 10 or 20 SCQF credits
Principal Study
The Principal Study is focussed primarily on your individual development as a musician. The central plank of learning and teaching in this module is the one-to-one lesson with an expert tutor. These lessons will form part of an ongoing cycle of individual practice and reflection, and will require you to devote a substantial amount of time to independent learning. Alongside this individual activity, there will be time allocated to group activity that will be assessed as part of your Principal Study, such as orchestral, opera, or chamber performances.
Term 1
20 Credits
Pass/Fail
Continous Observation
Supporting Studies
Supporting Studies incorporates many of the distinctive features of conservatoire study, and contributes towards the creation of a near-professional learning environment.
In this module, you will have the opportunity to take part in a range of negotiated activities in support both of your Principal Study and your development as an emerging professional.
The emphasis is on working with your peers, whether through the presentation of performance classes or collaborative activities such as chamber music, orchestra or ensemble work. The module also incorporates a series of cohort-wide graduate seminars, addressing such areas as research skills, critical thinking, professional development, reflective practice, health and wellbeing, and equality and diversity.
Term 1
20 Credits
Pass/Fail
Continous Observation
Options
Options give space within the curriculum for you to engage in studies which enhance your professional versatility, by pursuing areas of interest either close to or far away from your core discipline. The range of modules available is very wide, including otions drawn from the undergraduate programmes in both the School of Music and the School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film.
The design of the programme puts no restrictions on the level of the options/s chosen. There is a significant range of choice available in the amount of credit taken in this way, with students free to choose pathways which place greater weight on Supporting Studies.
Term 1
20 Credits
Pass/Fail
Continous Observation
WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is consistently ranked in the World Top 10 for performing arts education (QS World Rankings 2023)
An individual lesson per week on your principal study
An international teaching team, with many years of education and performing experience — many hold positions in the national nartistic companies
Masterclasses are key to widening our students’ experiences.
Recent masterclasses have featured guests such as Nicola Benedetti, the Brodsky Quartet, Paul Coletti, Professor David Dolan, Decoda, James Ehnes, David Geringas, Lutsia and Alina Ibragimova, Rinat Ibragimov, Ralph Kirshbaum, Henning Kraggerud, Graham Mitchel, Johannes Moser, Trio Apaches, Maxim Rysanov, Janet Sung and Raphael Wallfisch
Meaningful connections with world-class professional ensembles, including regular proto-professional collaborations with Scottish Ensemble, Red Note Ensemble, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Side-by-side chamber music opportunities with ensembles including Hebrides Ensemble and the Brodsky Quartet
Our teaching focusses on integrating technique and creativity, musicality and theory — it’s about ‘head’ and ‘heart’
All students have an opportunity during their time at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to take part in workshops and masterclasses with some of the world’s most renowned performers, including:
Pedro de Alcantara
Nicola Benedetti
Simon Fischer
Ilya Gringolts
Rinat Ibragimov
Alina Ibragimova
Lutsia Ibragimova
Ralph Kirshbaum
Lawrence Power
Joel Quarrington
Rachel Roberts
Jacqueline Shave
Joseph Swensen
Raphael Wallfisch
Pieter Wispelwey
A Campus Built For The Performing Arts
Explore the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in our 360 virtual tour. You’ll be able to see our rehearsal and practice rooms, professional performance venues, production workshops, editing suite, ballet studios and more.
Studio Collective: Daniel Pioro Joins RCS
An ethos of experimentation, exploration and collaboration defines a new contemporary music collective at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
With a bold creative vision and a mission to push boundaries, acclaimed violinist Daniel Pioro — in his new role of Associate Artist in Contemporary String Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland — has joined forces with thirteen students to unleash Studio Collective.
As Associate Artist, Daniel will work intensively with his newly created consort of four cellists, two violinists and three viola players, as well as four composers, over the next twelve months, where they’ll be exposed to the daily workings of extraordinary artists from all fields. The line-up will change every year.
A collection of performances from the RCS Strings department during their first few weeks back at the Conservatoire.
The Student Experience
Read student Sagnick Mukherjee’s experience of studying MMus Strings at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on The Strad website. Sagnick shares how his love of cross-disciplanary music making and encouragement from teachers and family inspired him to pursue a masters degree at RCS in Glasgow.
“I was drawn towards the cross-disciplinary and holistic approach of teaching at RCS which supports a student body that is wonderfully diverse, both in terms of backgrounds and aspirations. I felt that my head of department and head of programme took the time to get to know me, identify areas for improvement, and accordingly recommend teachers, modules, and projects to best facilitate my allround development.”
Get an inside look at what it’s like to study MMus/MA Strings here at RCS by following the RCS Strings social media accounts, led and run by current department staff and students.
Our admissions processes are designed to be fair, transparent and efficient. The audition/interview approach serves the dual nature of allowing the panel to assess first-hand an applicant’s suitability for their chosen programme and it also affords the applicant the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the nature of that programme and the opportunities offered by the RCS.
In arriving at its recommendation, the audition/interview panel will take account of all aspects of the applicant’s profile i.e.:
Performance at audition/interview
Commitment to the particular programme
Potential to benefit from the programme
Academic qualifications
Personal statement
Performance qualifications
Performance/practical experience
References
Contextualised data
Academic Entry 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.
Language of study
The language of study is English. Applicants who 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 in accordance with 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 UCAS Conservatoires application as 2.
Non-standard Entry
We welcome applications from individuals whose academic qualifications or English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements, where specified*. Having satisfied the Audition Panel that they meet the selection criteria and demonstrated that they have the capacity to pursue the proposed course of study, such applicants will be considered through examination of contextualised data provided in accordance with the Non-Standard Entry Policy. The appropriate Head of Department/ Programme will make a case in support of the applicant for consideration by the Directors of the Schools and Convener of the Quality and Standards Committee.
*Note that UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) imposes minimum English Language qualifications in respect of international (non-EU) applicants who require a Tier 4 Visa to study in the UK.
Mature students
RCS welcomes applications from mature students, i.e. students over the age of 21 at entry to the programme. Whilst the selection procedures will still be applied, consideration will be given to appropriate artistic experience not normally expected in school leavers, which is deemed to compensate for any lack of traditional entrance qualifications. Successful mature applicants, as for all other applicants, must convince auditioning panels that they have the ability and potential to cope with the demands of the programme. Their progress, especially in the early stages of the programme, will be closely monitored and appropriate advice and support given.
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. There is a UCAS application fee of £26.50 to register to use UCAS Conservatoires.
To begin a new UCAS Conservatoires application, you will need to register. You can read the UCAS Conservatoires’ advice on completing the UCAS Conservatoires application. If you need assistance with your application, you can contact UCAS Conservatoires team by telephoning (Monday to Friday, 8.30 — 18.00). Phone 0371 468 0470 from within the UK or +44 330 3330 232 if you are calling from overseas.
Application deadline date
The deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below –
UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline
Audition Recording Deadline
UK Applicants
3rd October 2022
17th October 2022 (for applicants unable to attend an in-person audition)
International Applicants
1st December 2022
1st December 2022
International student applicants
We are aware that international students, particularly those coming from the USA, may struggle with the UCAS deadline. As a consequence, we have set an additional deadline of 1st December 2022 for international students.
If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that your application/audition recording 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. Late applications will be considered on a case by case basis and may not be considered in the first round of scholarship allocation.
We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2024, you must apply next year.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58.
MMus Performance (2 years) – 890F
MA Performance (1 year) – 801F
Book an advice lesson with one of our Music tutors
An advice lesson gives you the chance to experience having a lesson at the Conservatoire and provides a great opportunity for you to gain some expert advice and insight. Advice lessons normally take place from late August to early October and are dependent on staff availability. Book your advice lesson here or e-mail our team for further information at hello@rcs.ac.uk.
Application Fee
There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £26. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition assessment administration fee. For RCS, the audition assessment administration fee is £65 per programme applied for. Fees are not refundable. The fees are paid via the UCAS Conservatoires website and not directly to RCS.
Audition Assessment Administration fee
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland charges an audition assessment administration fee of £65 per course.
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.
We are committed to ensuring fair access to a conservatoire education for students who have the talent and potential to benefit from it, regardless of their background. In support of this, audition fee waivers are offered to applicants whom financial hardship may be a barrier to auditioning. Please see the audition fee waivers document for more information.
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.
Selecion 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. 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
All auditions are planned to take place in-person at our campus in Glasgow in November 2022. 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. For those submitting a recording, the deadline dates to apply and submit your audition recording can be found in the table below:
UCAS Conservatoires Application Deadline
Audition Recording Deadline
UK Applicants
3rd October 2022
17th October 2022 (for applicants unable to attend an in-person audition)
International Applicants
1st December 2022
1st December 2022
International student applicants
We are aware that international students, particularly those coming from the USA, may struggle with the UCAS deadline. As a consequence, we have set an additional deadline of 1st December 2022 for international students.
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 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 below:
All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your audition or recorded submission via UCAS Conservatoires track (you will need your username and password). We aim to post outcomes before Christmas.
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
Details of the repertoire requested for your in-person audition/recorded submission can be found below:
Violin
Any two movements from Bach’s Sonatas or Partitas, or equivalent piece (Bartok, Hindemith, etc) for solo violin and a movement from a major concerto (Beethoven, Brahms, Bartok, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Barber etc.) or a major performance piece (Chausson, Bartok Rhapsody, Ravel Tzigane, etc).
Viola
Any two movements from Bach’s Cello Suites, Violin Sonatas or Partitas, or equivalent piece (Ligeti, Hindemith etc) for solo viola and a movement from a Major concerto (Walton, Bartok, Schnittke, etc.) or a major performance piece or one or two movements from a sonata (Enesco Concertpiece, Schumann Marchenbilder, or Brahms Sonata etc).
Cello
Any two movements from Bach’s Cello Suites, or equivalent piece (Britten, Crumb, etc) for solo cello, and a movement from a major concerto (Dvorak, etc.) or a major performance piece or sonata.
Double Bass
Any movement from a major concerto and a contrasting performance piece.
Following Your Audition
All decisions will be posted on UCAS Conservatoires following your audition via UCAS Conservatoires Track, (you will need your username and password). You will also receive notification from UCAS Conservatoires when decisions on all your choices are available.
UCAS Conservatoires Codes
Guaranteed Unconditional (GU) RCS is satisfied from the information you have given, that you have already met the conditions for entry. Unless your application and/or qualification are subsequently shown to be fraudulent, a guaranteed unconditional offer is binding.
Guaranteed Conditional (GC) RCS has made the offer subject to you meeting certain conditions such as examination results. Conditions can be viewed via UCAS Conservatoires Track. Unless your application and/or qualifications are subsequently shown to be fraudulent, the offer is binding if you accept the offer and meet the conditions. You must meet the conditions of the offer by 31 August 2021, unless an earlier date is specified. If your conditions include obtaining IELTS (English Language test), you must meet this condition by 31 May 2021.
Reserve Unconditional (VU) RCS is satisfied from the information you have given, that you have already met the conditions for entry and you have been offered a place on our reserve pool.
Reserve Conditional (VC) RCS has offered a place on its reserve pool subject to you meeting certain conditions such as examination results. Conditions can be viewed via UCAS Conservatoires Track.
Unsuccessful (R) RCS does not wish to offer you any type of a place.
Reserve Outcomes
If you have received a ‘reserve’ outcome, it means that RCS is not able to offer you a guaranteed place at the time of making our decision. A ‘reserve’ outcome indicates that RCS would like the opportunity to review its outcome to you in the light of acceptances/declines to its guaranteed offers. You will become part of a ‘pool’ of ‘reserve’ candidates and RCS may choose to make you a guaranteed offer if a suitable place becomes available. Reserve does not mean that a place has been ‘reserved’ for you. If RCS chooses not to make you a guaranteed offer, you will not have a place to start at RCS. If you have been given a ‘reserve’ outcome, in order to be considered for a guaranteed place (should one become available) you will need to accept the outcome (and meet any conditions if applicable).
Reserve outcomes remain active until the end of August. The decision to wait and see whether a guaranteed place becomes available, or to accept an offer at another conservatoire is entirely at your discretion. As soon as your situation changes, this is updated on UCAS Conservatoires.
Replying To Offers
As soon as a decision is made, UCAS Conservatoires will let you know. You must reply online via UCAS Conservatoires Track. Your reply date is displayed on Track. If you do not reply by the date given, your offers will be declined automatically. The reply date may be different to other applicants as it is based on when you receive your last decision.
Last decision by
Your reply date is
3 January 2023
1 February 2023
15 March 2023
11 April 2023
15 May 2023
1 June 2023
11 July 2023
27 July 2023
2 August 2023
8 September 2023
Please see the UCAS Conservatoires website for more information on replying to offers. If you make an application through UCAS Conservatoires, UCAS or UCAS Teacher Training, you cannot hold more than one confirmed place. A confirmed place in UCAS Conservatoires is a guaranteed unconditional offer as your first choice (GU1) and in UCAS and UCAS Teacher Training it is an unconditional firm (UF) place. If you receive more than one confirmed place, UCAS will ask you to accept one offer and withdraw from any others.
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.
New Scottish domiciled students may be eligible for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan. All eligible students will be able to apply directly to Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a non-means-tested loan. See the SAAS website for further details of the PSAS scheme.
Scottish domiciled postgraduate students on eligible courses can also apply for a Postgraduate Living Cost Loan to contribute towards living expenses. This is in addition to the existing loan available towards the cost of their tuition fees.
English Students
Postgraduate students from England can benefit from a postgraduate loan to be used towards tuition fees and/or living costs.
Northern Irish Students
Students from Northern Ireland may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan to help with the cost of their course fees. Please see the Student Finance NI website for more details.
Welsh Students
From 1 August 2019, students ordinarily resident in Wales (and those from the EU studying at a Welsh institution) may be entitled to a combination of loan and grant as a contribution to costs while studying a postgraduate Master’s degree course. The total amount of support available is non-means-tested and is paid directly to the student. More information can be found on the Student Finance Wales website.
EU Students
The Royal Conservatoire is resolutely international in outlook and we celebrate and are enriched by the diversity of our community of students and staff. Students from across the globe are welcome and valued members of the RCS community and we continue to welcome applicants from across the EU and throughout the world.
Q: What is the fee situation for EU students?
A: On July 9 2020, Scotland’s Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead announced changes to the fee regime for EU students studying in Scotland. From 2021/22, all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.
Q: I’m an EU student looking to start my studies in 2022-23. How does this impact me?
A: From 2021/22, all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.
Only EU nationals who are ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ in the UK will remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees providing they meet the residency conditions.
Other EU nationals and associated groups, starting a course of study in academic year 2021-22 or later, are not eligible to apply to SAAS for tuition fee support.
Because of a long-standing agreement between the UK and Republic of Ireland, new students from the Republic of Ireland starting their studies in 2022-23 will be eligible to pay the rest of UK (RUK) fee and will be able to access a tuition fee loan from SAAS.
Please also see the SAAS website for more information.
Scholarships
Any potential student who auditions for a place at the Royal Conservatoire will automatically be considered for a scholarship. They are awarded on a combination of talent, potential and financial need. More information about Scholarships is available on our Fees and Funding page.
Sources of External Funding
For more information about alternative funding sources, including external scholarships and bursaries, please visit our Fees and Funding page.
The Conservatoire’s International and Student Experience team are available to advise and assist applicants and current students in respect of queries about funding your studies at the Conservatoire. Please email or telephone +44 (0)141 270 8281/ +44 (0)141 270 8223 for further information.
Tuition fees for academic year 2023-24
MMus – Scottish Students
£10,722 (full-time)
£5,361 (part-time)
MMus – Rest of UK (RUK) Students
£10,722 (full-time)
£5,361 (part-time)
MMus – International Students (Including EU)
£21,207 (full-time)
£10,605 (part-time)
MA – Scottish Students
£14,541
MA – Rest of UK (RUK) Students
£14,541
MA Performance – International Students (Including EU)
£25,491
From 21/22 academic year all EU students commencing study in Scotland will pay fees at the International rate.
