Advanced PG Diploma in Music
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Overview
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music is designed to allow students with existing masters qualifications to progress further within their discipline. You will have the opportunity to extend and deepen your skills, knowledge and understanding in and through performance within a rich conservatoire environment.
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma is available to performers in the following disciplines:
- All string, woodwind and brass instruments, solo, chamber or orchestral
- Guitar and harp
- Timpani and percussion, including marimba
- Piano solo and ensemble, harpsichord, organ, accordion
- Vocal Performance
- Scottish folk/traditional performance
- Jazz performance
It is not available for Conducting, Composition, HIPP and Piano for Dance.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2024
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2024
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
445F
Audition Fee:
£65.00
Application Fee:
£28.50
Why Study the Advanced PGDip in Music at RCS?
This programme will:
Musical discipline
Enable the deepening of an established musical practice at the forefront of the discipline
Performance opportunities
Provide opportunities to present solo and/or collaborative performances within a proto-professional musical environment
Collaborate across art forms
Foster the ability to develop as a performer by integrating new skills and perspectives
Prepare for the profession
Stimulate a critical and reflective musicianship that will prepare the student for the challenges of the profession
Programme Structure
The programme is structured into four modules.
- 40.5 hours of principal study tuition and supporting study classes each academic year
- A range of assessment options including public performances, recordings, and individual negotiated projects
You will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of departmental activities with the Conservatoire
Modules to broaden or compliment your studies
The module, unique to this programme, invites you to articulate a critical and reflective position on your continuing studies in relation to your transition into the profession
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements
Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters degree in Music, or its overseas equivalent.
English language requirements
The language of study at the 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.
The required IELTS level for this programme is 6.0 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component. Full details of all the English tests we can accept can be found on our English Language Requirements page.
Fees & Funding
Tuition fees
For academic year 2025/26:
Tuition fees for academic year 2025/26 are in the process of being confirmed and will be available to view here soon. Last year’s fees can be viewed below.
For academic year 2024/25:
- UK: £12,760 (Performance), £13,954 (Vocal and Opera)
- International: £27,968 (Performance), £28,760 (Vocal and Opera)
Please note these fees are subject to change.
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 UCAS Conservatoires website. The UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system. You can read our guidance about using UCAS Conservatoires on our dedicated How to Apply page.
Applicants will also be required to create an Acceptd account when they apply, which will be used for scheduling auditions. More information about this process will be available soon.
We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2026, you must apply next year.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require the following programmes codes to apply: 445F
The closing date for all on-time applications is 2 October 2024 (UK) and 1 December 2024 (International). 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 £28.50. 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.
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.
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.
Selection 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 Information
In-person auditions are planned to take place at various locations across the world. Should you apply on time, an invitation to book an audition time slot will be sent to you via Acceptd, you must create an Acceptd account regardless of your audition location to be able to select your audition time.
The RCS audition panel will consist of a relevant departmental staff member and the Head of Department. Our international auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department.
The interview will be held by members of the audition panel. It will explore your understanding of the demands of the programme, knowledge of repertoire, aspects of performance practice, performance experience and attitudes, and professional aspirations. You may also be invited to talk about the recording you have submitted. You may also be given sight reading as part of this process, depending on your principal study department(s).
All in-person auditions will be given a twenty-minute warm up slot prior to their audition.
Audition Dates
- Singapore, 18 & 19 January 2025, SOTA – applicants are to bring their own accompanist where possible. If any problems or concerns, please email singaporeauditions@rcs.ac.uk
- New York, 30 & 31 January 2025, Location TBC – applicants are to bring their own accompanist where possible. If any problems or concerns, please email usaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
- Los Angeles, 25 & 26 January 2025, Location TBC – applicants are to bring their own accompanist where possible. If any problems or concerns, please email usaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
International applicants are welcome to submit a recorded submission via Acceptd if these dates are not suitable. A live online interview, if held, will assess the candidate’s suitability for the programme in terms of knowledge, experience and commitment.
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
Successful candidates will show potential to develop their beliefs and skills through the programme.
Please see the relevant principal study department page for repertoire information and what to present at audition.
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:
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.
World Top Ten
We were voted one of the world’s Top Ten destinations to study the performing arts (QS Rankings) in 2024, the eighth time we have been placed in the top ten since the ranking was established in 2016.
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.