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English Language Requirements

English Language

The language of study at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) is English.  All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence that their English language level meets the entrance requirements for their chosen programme.  

If you require a student visa to study in the UK, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) require a minimum of B2 standard on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, listening). Equivalent to an IELTS overall score of 5.5 with 5.5 in every component. RCS is required to obtain evidence of your English language ability before we can sponsor your visa application. You do not need to provide this at the point of application or audition but please ensure you leave yourself enough time to provide proof that you have met the required English language level. RCS reserves the right to ask for additional evidence if there are any concerns over your English language level. 

The majority of RCS programmes have higher English language requirements than the UKVI required level (CEFR level B2) and you will also need to meet these higher requirements.  Listed below are the tests we accept and the minimum scores needed for each programme.  The language tests listed below are valid if they have been taken within two years of the start date of your chosen programme.   

We will verify the scores you declare with the test provider.  

Accepted English Language Tests: 

  • IELTS Academic or UKVI IELTS Academic (IELTS One Skill retake accepted) 
  • TOEFL iBT (TOEFL iBT home edition is not accepted) 

Requirements by Degree Programme

 

Undergraduate Programmes 

Minimum Scores Required 
IELTS Academic  TOEFL iBT  PTE Academic  Cambridge  
  • BA Modern Ballet  
5.5 with no component below 5.5  Overall score of 72, with minimum scores of: Reading-18, Listening-17, Speaking-20, Writing-17  Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing)  Overall score of 162 with a minimum of 162 in all components  
  • BEd Music (Honours) 
6.0 with no component below 5.5  Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17  Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing)  Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components 
  • BA Filmmaking  
  • BA Production Arts and Design  
  • BA Production Technology and Management 
6.5 with no component below 5.5 

 

Overall score of 88, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17  Overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing)  Overall score of 176 with a minimum of 162 in all components 
  • BA Acting 
  • BA Contemporary Performance-making 
  • BA Musical Theatre 
7.5 with a score of 7.5 in speaking and no component below 5.5  Overall score of 102, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -27, Writing -17  Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in speaking and 59 in all other components (reading, listening, writing)   Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 
Postgraduate Programmes   IELTS Academic  TOEFL iBT  PTE Academic    Cambridge  
  • MA/MMus Music 
  • Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music 
  • Artist Diploma 
6.0 with no component below 5.5  Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17  Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing)  Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components 
  • MA Psychology in the Arts (Music) 
  • MEd Learning and Teaching in the Arts 
  • PG Certificate Learning and Teaching in the Arts 
7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 in speaking and no component below 6.5  Overall score of 94, with minimum component scores of: Reading – 19, Listening – 20, Speaking – 23, Writing – 24  Overall score of 66 with a minimum of 66 in speaking and no component below 62  Overall score of 185 with a minimum of 185 in speaking and no component below 176 
  • MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text 
  • MA Musical Theatre: Musical Directing 
  • Professional Graduate Diploma in Musical Directing 
7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking and no component below 5.5  Overall score of 102, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -27, Writing -17  Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in speaking and 59 in all other components (reading, listening, writing)  Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 
Research Programmes   IELTS Academic  TOEFL iBT  Pearson   Cambridge  
  • PhD/MPhil 
  • Doctor of Performing Arts 
7.0 with no component below 5.5  Overall score of 95, with minimum component scores of Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -20, Writing -17  Overall score of 66 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing)  Overall score of 185 with a minimum of 162 in all components 

Exemptions

You do not need to provide an English language test if you have/are one of the following: 

  • Are from a majority English speaking country as defined by the home office.  
  • A degree from a university taught in a majority English speaking country where the language of instruction was English.  Students must have completed at least their final two years of study in the majority English speaking country and must have graduated within the last 4 years.  
  • A GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18. 

Other Accepted Qualifications:

The qualifications listed below are valid where they are taken no more than five years before the start date of your chosen programme of study. 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma:

  • English A: SL 5 or HL 5 
  • English B: SL 5 or HL 5 

For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above:

  • English A: SL 6 or HL 6
  • English B: SL 7 or HL 6  

iGCSE:

First Language English at grade C or English as a Second Language at grade B 

For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: First Language English Grade B.  English as a Second Language is not accepted 

A-Level/AS-Level

English Language; English Language and Literature; or English Literature at grade C 

For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: English Language; English Language and Literature; or English Literature at grade B 

HKDSE

English: Grade 4 or above with grade 4 or above in each component 

For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: Grade 5 or above with grade 5 or above in each component 

Singapore Cambridge GCE

O level English: C6 or above  

For programmes requiring an IELTS of 7.0 or above: B3 or above 

Pre-sessional English Programmes

If you are not quite at the level required for your programme, you can consider doing a pre-sessional English programmeWe can only accept pre-sessional programmes from a  BALEAP accredited institution.  

Non-standard Entry

In exceptional circumstances we can consider applications from individuals whose English language qualifications do not match (in terms of equivalence) or fall short of the normal entrance requirements.  

Please note however that students requiring a student visa must meet the minimum UKVI English language levels equivalent to CEFR level B2. 

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.