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Overview

The Artist Diploma is intended for advanced students in music on the cusp of a professional career, who are seeking to hone a distinctive musical personality through a year of post-master study in a conservatoire environment.

In the Principal Project module, you will work towards an individually negotiated programme of high-level artistic outputs such as performances, compositions, recordings, or documented research, according to the discipline. This module is supported by 20.5 hours of one-to-one lessons from a tutor or tutors of your choice.

In the Supporting Project module, you will receive individual support and mentoring from a personal supervisor, who will help you to create an individual portfolio of supplementary activities to complement your main artistic projects. The module culminates in an oral examination that invites you to reflect critically on the artistic intentions of your work through the course of the programme.

The ArtDip 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, Historically Informed Performance Practice, Piano for Dance, or Repetiteurship.

Singers accepted onto this programme will normally work within the Department of Vocal Performance: any work with the Opera department will be exceptional and by negotiation.

The important details

UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2024

International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2024

Institution Code:
R58

Programme Code:
446F

Audition Fee:
£65

Application Fee:
£28.50

Please note
This course is subject to revalidation

Why Study the Artist Diploma at RCS?

This programme encourages the development of a distinctive musical personality, through:

A violin teacher smiles as they watch a student perform. The photo is black and white.

Rich Learning Environment

Offering a rich learning environment that nurtures the individual artist in relation to the wider context of their practice

A student reads sheet music while sitting at a piano.

Performance Opportunities

Providing opportunities for performance and composition, and supporting students in creating their own opportunities

A person is playing double bass and smiling

Professional Autonomy

Promoting professional autonomy and resilience through a confident, reflective and critical approach to students’ musicianship

Self-Reflection

Supporting students in articulating clearly the questions and insights that form the basis of their artistic practice.

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. 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 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: Artist Diploma – 446F

The closing date for on-time ArtDip applications for UK students is 2 October 2024 and for International students is 1 December 2024.  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.

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. An interview will form part of your audition, this is a chance for the panel to find out more about you, as well having an opportunity for you to ask questions about the programme.

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.

All in-person auditions will be given a twenty-minute warm up slot prior to their audition.

Audition Dates

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

International applicants are welcome to submit a recorded submission via Acceptd if these dates are not suitable. A live online interview, if held, 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 a sight reading as part of this process, depending on your principal study department(s).

Successful candidates will show potential to develop their beliefs and skills through the programme.

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:

Details of required audition repertoire can be found in the tabs below, broken down by department.

Horn: Mozart Concerto No. 2 in E flat, K.417 or Mozart Concerto No. 4 in E flat, K495, and a piece of your own choice

Trumpet: Haydn Concerto in E flat or Hummel Concerto E flat or E, and a piece of your own choice

Cornet: Haydn Concerto in E flat or Hummel Concerto E flat or E, and a piece of your own choice

Tenor Trombone: F David Concerto for Trombone or L Grondahl Concerto for Trombone, and a piece of your own choice.

Bass Trombone: E Bozza New Orleans or Lebedev Concerto in One Movement, and a piece of your own choice

Euphonium: J Horovitz — Euphonium Concerto (Novello), and a piece of your own choice

Tuba (H4): E Gregson Concerto for Tuba or Vaughan Williams Concerto for Tuba, and a piece of your own choice

Guitar:

Any one movement from:

  • Bach’s Lute Suites, Violin Sonatas or Partitas, Cello Suites or equivalent works (Scarlatti, Weiss etc)
  • and a movement from a major concerto (Rodrigo, Villa Lobos, Ponce, etc)
  • or a major performance piece from 20th or 21st Century (Walton – Bagatelles, Ginastera – Sonata, Britten – Nocturnal, Dyens Libre Sonatine)

Harp:

A movement from any substantial concerto and a major work written after 1900 and the following orchestral cadenzas:

  • Smetana: Vysehrad from Ma Vlast
  • Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

Piano Solo: Performance of a programme from memory, comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes)

Harpsichord: Performance of a programme comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes)

Organ and Accordion: Performance of a programme comprising not less than three contrasting works (total playing time 25 minutes)

Violin:

  • First movement from a major concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work of your choice. This can be from the standard repertoire or from any genre or cultural background that reflects your interests as an artist.

Viola:

  • First movement from a major concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work of your choice. This can be from the standard repertoire or from any genre or cultural background that reflects your interests as an artist.

Cello

  • First movement from a major concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work of your choice. This can be from the standard repertoire or from any genre or cultural background that reflects your interests as an artist.

Double Bass:

  • First movement from a standard concerto (with cadenza where applicable)
  • A contrasting work

Timpani:

  • Bartók Concerto for Orchestra, the Intermezzo (available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Bartok Violin Concerto Nr.2, slow movement from upbeat to figure 12 to 3rd bar of figure 16
  • Strauss Der Rosenkavalier (‘Big Waltz’) (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Hindemith Sinfonische Metamorphosen (‘Turandot Scherzo’) (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)

Xylophone:

  • Prokofiev Alexander Nevsky (Available in the Goldenberg Book)
  • Gershwin Porgy and Bess (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Hindemith Kammermusik, ‘Movements 1 and 4’ (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)

Vibraphone:

  • Bernstein ‘Cool’, West Side Story (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)

Snare Drum:

  • Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, ‘Movements 3 and 4’ (Available in Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions, Schott)
  • Ravel Rhapsodie Espagnol ‘Movements 3 and 4’ (available in Hathaway Snare Drum Book)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol (available in the Goldenberg Book)
  • Suppé Pique Dame (available in the Goldenberg Book)

Candidates should prepare:

  • Four contrasting classical pieces, at least one of which should be in English and one in a foreign language
  • A short poetry or prose reading in English lasting no longer than 2 minutes

One of the items should be an aria from an oratorio or opera, preferably with the recitative; another should be a German Lied or French mélodie. Candidates will be asked to choose their first piece, and the panel will then choose a further one or two pieces.

A typical programme may include a recitative and aria from an oratorio or opera, a German Lied, a French mélodie, an English Art Song and a short poetry reading.

Flute: Mozart Concerto in G major (1st and 2nd movements)

Oboe: Mozart Concerto in C major (1st and 2nd movements)

Clarinet: Mozart Concerto in A major (1st and 2nd movements)

Bassoon: Mozart Concerto in Bb major (1st and 2nd movements)

Saxophone: Glazunov Concerto in Eb major

  1. OLEO by Sonny Rollins (Rhythm Changes)
    • Key: Bb [Vocalists choose their key]
    • Tempo: Fast
    • Melody Form: AABA (32 bars)
    • Improvisation Duration: Minimum 4 x AABA
    • Aims:
      • Introduce your performance
      • Play original improvisation interacting musically with live musicians or with an Aebersold play-a-long (Vol. 6 Track 10, Vol. 7 Track 5, Vol. 8 Track 9, Vol. 47 Track 1)
      • Drummers play melody rhythmically, comp time, and improvise over form
      • The chordal player must comp on one chorus
    • Avoid:
      • Electronic play-a-longs like iRealPro
      • Transcribed or pre-prepared solos
  1. Original Composition
    • Aims:
      • Perform a contrasting piece (Even 8th, Latin, Ballad, 3/4, Original, etc.,)
    • Avoid:
      • Rhythm Changes or Blues
  • Performance of a programme of approximately 15 minutes on your principal study
  • Applicants are asked to give brief spoken introductions to each item performed and their compositions may be included

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.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

Candidates for the Artist Diploma 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 2024/25:

  • UK: £7,079
  • International (including EU): £13,995

Please note these fees are subject to change.

Funding & Scholarships

Please note, this programme is not eligible for US Federal Loans.

You can find out about the funding and scholarships available for studying at RCS by visiting our dedicated page:

Funding & Scholarships

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: 

School of Music Programme Costs

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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.

Why RCS

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.