MA Musical Theatre: Musical Directing

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 programme code to apply: 702F

The closing date for on-time MA Musical Theatre: Musical Directing applications is 29 January 2025 for UK applicants, and 29 January 2025 for International applicants. 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/interview assessment administration fee. The interview assessment administration fee is £55 for this programme. Fees are not refundable. The fees are paid via the UCAS Conservatoires website and not directly to RCS. 

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. 

Audition/Interview Information

Applicants who apply on time (before 29 January 2025) are invited by email, approximately three weeks before the audition date, to RCS to undertake an audition/interview. All auditions/interviews will take place at RCS, in Glasgow, unless you have chosen to audition online. We have many years of experience of conducting online auditions and have a well-established format and process in place, so no applicant will be disadvantaged by auditioning in this manner. Please note that RCS is only obliged to offer one audition/interview date per application. Alternative dates will only be provided (subject to availability) in exceptional circumstances. If you are unable to make your allocated audition date, you should email us immediately stating the reason. 

MA Musical Theatre (Musical Directing) and Professional Graduate Diploma in Musical Directing auditions will take place from February to April. 

Recorded audition: 

If you are auditioning via video recording, please read the information in the Audition section before sending us your material. Prior to submitting a recorded audition, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires. Recorded auditions and other relevant information can be easily submitted online using Acceptd. You will need to create an account, but then you can easily upload the recordings you wish to be considered. Recordings will not be considered until a UCAS Conservatoires application has been submitted. Once you have completed the UCAS Conservatoires application, you should proceed to Acceptd to submit your video recording. We will only accept recordings submitted via Acceptd and will not accept any other format, i.e. DVDs. Recordings should arrive by the 31 January 2024. 

In-person audition: 

Once you apply, you will be emailed in due course with an audition date. All in-person auditions will take place at the RCS campus at Renfrew Street in Glasgow. 

We are aware that some of these processes may be challenging just now, and therefore ask that you complete these tasks to the best of your ability. We have looked to make the audition process as accessible as possible for all applicants and we are happy to answer any queries you have that are specific to your circumstance. Questions can be sent directly to David Higham, Associate Head of Musical Theatre – D.Higham@rcs.ac.uk.  

The Audition 

Your Musical Directing audition will be split into 3 parts, details of which are below: 

Part 1 

• Consultation Piano Lesson – 30 mins 

The candidate will be given a consultation piano lesson working through varying pieces of repertoire chosen by the candidate. This session will explore a range of varying keyboard skills through a one-to-one workshop. In-person candidates will be asked to bring a small selection of song accompaniments for this session. Online candidates will have this lesson on Zoom. 

Part 2 (3 sections) 

• 2.1 Ensemble Singing Workshop – 25-30 mins 

In-person candidates – you will be asked to lead a vocal workshop with a small group for 25-30 mins, which should include: 

• A short warm-up 
• The teaching of a short section of ensemble repertoire of the candidate’s choosing 
• Elements of vocal guidance 
• Elements of style and interpretation 

Online candidates – please look to submit a recording on Acceptd of you leading a workshop with the areas highlighted above. Please do try and submit this prior to your audition/interview. 

• 2.2 Interview – 15 mins 

The candidate will be asked a series of questions in relation to their skills, knowledge, and experience as an emerging Musical Director. Focus will be placed on areas of communication, knowledge, and awareness of style and genre shown by each candidate. 

• 2.3 Coaching Session: 20 minutes 

The candidate will be asked to coach two songs of varying styles and complexity chosen by the panel. Candidates will be given around a few minutes to scan the piece before the process of sight-reading and coaching the sinher through each song. Candidates may be redirected through this process. 

Part 3 

• Folio Submission 

Please forward or upload any material that you feel would support your application on Acceptd – this applies to both in-person and online candidates. This should include a CV, any relevant documentation of scoring or arranging work and could include videos or audio recordings of your work. 

Could you also arrange the following extracts and upload your scoring of the set arrangement below. This may be discussed further at your audition. 

• The Life of the Party (extract) – bar 86 to the end. Please arrange for an instrumental ensemble of 6-10 instruments of your choosing
• Anthem – Vocal Arrangement (extract) – bar 41 to the end. Please arrange for a vocal ensemble of your choosing

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.

• Feedback policy
• Equality and diversity
• Applicants with disabilities
• Guidance for applicants with criminal convictions
• Admissions policy

Tuition fees

For academic year 2024/25:

• UK (including ROI): £19,415
• International (including EU): £28,038

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:

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 Drama, Dance, Production and Film have a range of associated costs related to the specific activities required and advised by the programme team. To ensure fairness and parity of experience in relation to certain core programme activities a one-off payment to cover a proportion of necessary costs is required of the student at matriculation. You can find these costs below: 

MA Musical Theatre: Musical Directing Programme Costs