MMus/MA Accompaniment
Piano Accompaniment is a varied and challenging postgraduate programme which will prepare you for a demanding profession.
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Overview
Alongside a team of highly experienced professional accompanists and chamber musicians, you will engage in a range of collaborative opportunities to prepare you for this demanding profession working with students and lecturers from all departments at RCS.
Developing core accompaniment skills form the foundation of the Accompaniment programme. In addition to the extensive development of standard accompaniment repertoire, additional supporting skills are also cultivated in regular group classes including; sight-reading, orchestral reductions, transposition, figured bass, choral accompaniment, vocal and instrumental coaching and languages.
MMus Accompanists also enjoy extensive performing opportunities, whether in concerts, competitions or accompanying students. The programme provides a wide range of choices for assessment, including studio recordings, commissions of new collaborative works, independent projects and full-length recitals.
Students who have graduated in this course have gone on to have professional careers as accompanists and work for a wide range of institutions and organisations throughout the world. Graduates also work in the fields of music education, arts management and administration, and music in the community, where an MMus degree is highly valued.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2024
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2024
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
MA: 831F / MMus - Full Time: 893F / MMus - Part Time: 893P
Audition Fee:
£65.00
Application Fee:
£28.50
Please note
This course is subject to revalidation
Meet the Staff
Programme Structure
- MMus & MA Stage 1
- MA Stage 2
- MMus Stage 2
- What is the difference between the MMus and the MA?
- Part-time study
Principal Study 1 – 80 Credits (H5)
- Individual lessons in piano accompaniment
- 2-3 negotiated performance assessments
Supporting Studies 1 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as performance classes, ensembles, rehearsals and masterclasses
Practice Research – 10 Credits
- Research project
Options – 0/10/20 Credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music and School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film
Negotiated Study – 60 Credits
- Individual composition, performance or academic project
Principal Study 2 – 90 Credits
- Individual lessons in piano accompaniment
- 2-3 negotiated performance assessments
Supporting Studies 2 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as performance classes, ensembles, rehearsals and masterclasses
Options – 0/10/20 Credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music and School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film
The MMus is the standard two-year programme undertaken by most students.
The MA is a shortened programme for students who wish to get a Master’s degree in a single year of study.
The first three terms of the MMus and MA are identical: MA students complete a further module in term 4 to complete the degree in a single year. There is no difference in the nature of the degrees: both concentrate mainly on performance rather than academic work.
The MMus in Accompaniment can be studied part-time across three or four years. The possible patterns are:
- Stage 1 full time, Stage 2 part time over two years (three years total)
- Stage 1 part time over two years, Stage 2 full time (three years total)
- Stage 1 part time over two years, Stage 2 part time over two years (four years total)
No MA programme may be taken part-time.
However, please note international students on student visas are not permitted to undertake any of the part-time routes.
Your part-time programme will be negotiated individually, but will typically involve spreading your Principal Study tuition over two years, with B assessment/s in the first part-time year and the A assessment as the culmination of the second. Supporting Studies activities will be distributed across the two years, while any Options chosen will occupy a single part-time year.
Please note, if you wish to apply to undertake this programme part-time there will be a separate instance on UCAS. We will update the ‘Apply Now’ button with this link as soon as it is available.
Graduate Destinations
Students who have graduated in this course have gone on to have professional careers as accompanists and work for a wide range of institutions and organisations throughout the world.
Graduates also work in the fields of music education, arts management and administration, and music in the community, where an MMus degree is highly valued.
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements
Candidates for both the MMus and MA are normally expected to hold a good honours (at least 2:2) degree, or its overseas equivalent, in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme.
In addition to the general entry requirements, candidates will preferably already have public performance experience of working with singers and instrumentalists. Knowledge of a specialist area of relevant repertoire (e.g. vocal, string, wind) is also desirable.
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:
MMus:
- Full-time: £12,870
- Part-time: £6,435
MA:
- £17,875
International (including EU):
MMus:
- £27,467
MA:
- £35,090
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 program codes to apply: MA – 831F OR MMus – 893F (full time) / 893P (part time)
The closing date for all on-time UK applications is 2 October 2024 and for International applications 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.
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 based on merit and potential. However, due attention is also paid to the range of Principal Studies accepted 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. 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 given sight reading as part of this process, depending on your principal study department(s).
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
- The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow: 4 – 8 November 2024. For any questions, please emailauditions@rcs.ac.uk
- M Cultures Artist Studio, Seoul: 30 November 2024. For any questions, please email koreaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
- The Yehudi Menuhin School, Qingdao: 6 – 8 November 2024. For any questions, please email chinaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
- Singapore, Jan/Feb 2025. For any questions, please email singaporeauditions@rcs.ac.uk
- New York, Jan/Feb 2025 – For any questions, please email usaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
- Los Angeles, Jan/Feb 2025 – For any questions, please email usaauditions@rcs.ac.uk
For all auditions/recordings outside of the RCS, applicants are expected to bring/provide their own soloist.
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.
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 the 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:
Through audition, applicants will be required to demonstrate:
- a high degree of technical competency in the instrument or voice in the service of a 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 concerning the repertoire performed
- a degree of self-sufficiency, initiative and independence in selecting, preparing and performing a particular programme
- a developing musical personality
Details of the repertoire requested for your in-person audition/recorded submission can be found below.
For in-person auditions, RCS will provide applicants with a singer and an instrumentalist. For recorded submissions, applicants must source their own singer and instrumentalist.
Repertoire details will be provided two weeks prior to the audition or recording submission date. This will include one movement from a Classical sonata for violin, as well as one German and one French song for soprano. In-person auditions will feature a sight-reading test, whilst recorded auditions will include a quick preparation test, which will be received and completed on the submission day.
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:
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.
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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.