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Applications for 2024/25 Entry
Applications for September 2024/25 entry are now open. Please visit your individual programme of choice’s webpage to find out the deadline and other relevant information including application and audition process. Please e-mail our team at admissions@rcs.ac.uk should you not be able to find the information you need.
Applying to RCS
Applicants for all RCS programmes (except for BA Performance in British Sign Language and English) should apply through UCAS Conservatoires.
The application fee is currently £27.50 (in addition to the audition fee which differs between courses), which allows up to six choices of programme of study. We recognise that auditioning and interviewing for conservatoires, drama and ballet schools can be costly. The audition fee charge allows us to offer a thorough and positive experience to all applicants and we encourage you 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 undergraduate applicants whose financial hardship may be a barrier to auditioning. Please see the audition fee waiver document for more information.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. Applications for September 2024/25 are now open.
Full details of entry requirements, application deadlines, and audition requirements can be found on your programme’s specific page. If you have any questions about your application please don’t hesitate to contact us at admissions@rcs.ac.uk
Admissions Process
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
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires
Applications to all UG & PG RCS programmes (excepting BA Performance in BSL and English) are made through the UCAS Conservatoires website. The UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system.
There is a UCAS application fee of £27.50 to register to use UCAS Conservatoires.
To begin a new UCAS Conservatoires application, you will need to register. You can read 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.
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.
Auditions/Interviews and Submission of Recordings/Materials
Should you have a query about our audition processes for this year, please contact our team at admissions@rcs.ac.uk or check your department page for further information.
Please watch our helpful online guide to assist you in the event of your audition being a requested recording, or should you need to upload supplementary materials to support your application:
Full details of what to prepare for your audition can be found on your department’s specific page. Please contact the Admissions team for further advice about the application process on admissions@rcs.ac.uk
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.
Please see below for an explanation of 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 2024, unless an earlier date is specified. If your conditions include obtaining IELTS (English Language test), you must meet this condition by 31 May 2024.
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.
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 2024 | 1 February 2024 |
| 15 March 2024 | 10 April 2024 |
| 15 May 2024 | 5 June 2024 |
| 10 July 2024 | 24 July 2024 |
| 1 August 2024 | 10 September 2024 |
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.
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.
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.