MMus/MA Composition
At RCS, our aim is for each of our graduates to build a distinct, artistic practice, with the skills required to embark on a professional career as a creator of new music.
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Overview
The MMus and MA Composition programmes are pathways designed to explore your compositional voice. Embarking on your tailored learning journey, our tutors will apply their expertise to support your creative and professional development.
Composition students have opportunities to work in the superb electroacoustic and recording studios, devise new work in our purpose-built performance venues, and complete an optional second study in performance. You will be working with our diverse and talented performing community in some of the best facilities in Europe.
Performing new work is of paramount importance to us. The Composition department has a significant reputation for contemporary music. PLUG – our critically acclaimed annual festival – is a renowned platform for premiering hundreds of new works. Our professional partnerships with leading ensembles and orchestras will provide you with further opportunities to hear your pieces performed.
Composition can be a solitary existence, but our Composition programmes aims to challenge and provide students with collaborative experiences with artists from dance, theatre, film, and musical theatre disciplines to develop their skills.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2024
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2024
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
MA: 820F OR MMus - Full Time: 891F OR MMus - Part Time: 891P
Audition Fee:
£65
Application Fee:
£28.50
Please note
This course is subject to revalidation
Why Study Composition at RCS?
The Composition department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers unique opportunities to learn and develop as an artist. Our approach sets us apart, with benefits including:
Community and Collaboration
Studying at one of the most multi-disciplinary conservatoires in the world, you’ll experience a real sense of community with your fellow Composition students, staff and PhD cohort with weekly meetings of the Composers Forum. You will also have plenty of opportunities to collaborate across art forms and with other programmes, including Modern Ballet, Acting, and Filmmaking.
Performance Opportunities
RCS is one of the busiest performing arts venues in Scotland. As a result, you’ll have numerous opportunities for your work to be performed live by Conservatoire performers and external professionals.
PLUG Festival
Each year RCS stages PLUG, our annual contemporary new music festival. PLUG has been part of the RCS calendar for 17 years, with over 500 new works receiving their premiere performances during the run of the festival. PLUG has been created to offer a professional platform for our students to showcase their works. The Herald named it “…Scotland’s most ambitious and daring new music project.“
Visiting Professors
We have regular Visiting Professors from industry who share their knowledge and experience with our students. Our current visiting professors are Errollyn Wallen CBE, Sir James MacMillan, and Anthony R. Green.
Professional groups, including Red Note and Hebrides Ensemble, have also premiered over 30 student compositions as part of our ongoing public masterclass programme.
Partnerships
International and national partnerships with Robin Michael, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Icebreaker, Psappha, New Music Players, Red Note, Garth Knox, Richard Craig, Kreutzer String Quartet, Scottish Ensemble, Glasgow New Music Expedition, Ensemble Modern and the Conservatoire de Paris, Hebrides Ensemble, Brodsky Quartet and Ilya Gringolts.
Graduate Employment
In the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey 2019/20, 96% of RCS School of Music respondents were in work or further study.
Facilities
The Composition department has a full suite of computers which are equipped with the industry-standard versions of Sibelius, Protools, MaxMSP as well as other software designed to engage the compositional process.
Composers also have access to our three electroacoustic music studios (including a multi-channel, immersive sound system), one recording studio, a full-sized Indonesian gamelan, and Rhythm Theory expert Dr Steve Forman’s exciting collection of working exotic percussion, which has become a permanent collection, based next to our Wallace Studios buildings.
Industry Connections
The Composition department has connections and relationships with most professional music groups in Scotland and recently has collaborated with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Psappha, the Fidelio Trio, the New Music Players, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Red Note, and Icebreaker, amongst other internationally-recognised orchestras and ensembles.
We have also taken part in collaborative projects with Glasgow School of Art, Stirling University Art Collection, Glasgow Caledonian University and the Scottish Music Centre.
Graduate Destinations
Our Composition graduates work across the world in a variety of settings, including concert music, film and media, and as performers, curators, educators and promoters of new music.
Alumni include:
- Amit Anand – Composer
- Rylan Gleave – Composer and Performer
- Electra Perivolaris – Composer
- Jay Capperauld – Member of the inaugural RSNO Composers’ Hub Scheme
- C Duncan – Mercury Prize Nominee
- Matthew Grouse – Composer
- John Harris – Director of Red Note Ensemble, Artistic Director of New Music Dublin
- Martin Keary – Composer, YouTuber and Software Designer
- Alex Mackay – Composer and touring musician for Mogwai
- Claire McKenzie – Co-founder of award-winning company, Noisemaker
- Juta Pranulyte – Composer and Curator, Artistic Director of Druskomanija New Music Festival, Lithuania
- Rufus Isabel Elliot – Composer and Curator
- Jennifer Walshe – Composer, Performer and Visual Artist
- Gareth Williams – First Composer-in-Residence for Scottish Opera
- Jessica Jones – Film and Media Composer
- Matthew Whiteside – Composer, Producer and promoter of new music concerts
- Paul Leonard Morgan – Film and Media Composer
- Patrick Doyle – Film and Media Composer
RCS Composition Alumnus and Mercury Prize Nominee, C Duncan
Programme Structure
- Overview
- MMus Stage 1/MA Stage 1
- MA Stage 2
- MMus Stage 2
- What is the difference between MMus or MA?
- Part-time study
The MMus/MA Composition degree course shares many attributes with the BMus degree. This facilitates the cross-fertilisation of ideas from a similar discipline across degree structures.
There is strong dialogue between composers of all levels of experience at the Conservatoire from undergraduate, postgraduate through to research, which creates a strong and supportive learning environment.
The Masters composers are encouraged to develop their own personal directions. These are considered when learning journeys are agreed at the beginning of each academic year.
In addition to 1:1 lessons, composers also have access to a diverse and comprehensive diet of classes each year, such as:
- Masters Studies Classes
- Composers’ Forum
- Cowcaddens Gramophone Society
- Music for Media
- Orchestration
- Analysis
- Sonic Arts
- Interactive Composition
- Contemporary Repertoire
Principal Study 1 – 80 credits
- Individual composition lessons
- Negotiated portfolio of compositions
Supporting Studies 1 – 30/20/10 credits
- Negotiated departmental activities
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 composition lessons
- Negotiated portfolio of compositions
Supporting Studies 2 – 30/20/10 credits
- Negotiated departmental activities
Options – 0/10/20 credits
- Range of optional classes drawn from the 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 version of the programme for students who wish to get a Masters 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 in order 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 Composition 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.
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.
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:
MMus
Full-time:
- UK: £12,870
- International (including EU): £27,467
Part-time:
- UK: £6,435
MA
- UK: £17,875
- International (including EU): £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.
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: MMus Composition: 891F (full time) / 891P (part time) OR MA Composition: 820F.
The closing date for on-time 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 application fee of £28.50 to register to use UCAS Conservatoires.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland additionally charges an audition assessment administration fee of £65 per course.
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 application/ 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.
Portfolio Submission and Interview
Once you have submitted your UCAS Conservatoires application, you must create an Acceptd account. Applicants are asked to submit their recorded portfolio via Acceptd.
Applicants should submit 2-4 pieces of work, each with a recording, which may be purely digital, or performed by live instruments (as appropriate). At least one work in the submission should be accompanied by a full, musical score, to demonstrate an example of the candidate’s music notation skills. Explanatory notes can, if appropriate, be submitted.
If called for interview, these will take place either in-person or online. For the best audition experience, we would encourage all UK applicants (and where possible international applicants) to attend in person.
In-person interviews are planned to take place at our Renfrew street campus in Glasgow w/b 4th November 2024. Should you be invited for interview, an invitation to book an audition time slot will be sent to you via Acceptd.
More from the Composition Department
C Duncan Interview
Watch our interview with Composition graduate and Mercury Music Prize nominee, C Duncan.
Errollyn Wallen CBE Appointed Visiting Professor of Composition
Read our news story from when Errollyn Wallen CBE was first appointed Visiting Professor of Composition at RCS.
PLUG 2019 Highlights
Enjoy this highlights reel from 2019’s edition of PLUG Festival.
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.