MMus/MA Conducting
Our conducting programmes provide you with the comprehensive and integrated training required of a professional conductor.
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Overview
You will concentrate on the technique and craft of conducting through diverse practical experience with the Royal Conservatoire orchestras, our opera department, and various classical and contemporary ensembles.
Our extensive professional links in Glasgow and across Scotland offer unmatched opportunities to work with and observe the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Red Note Ensemble, the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Students at the RCS have masterclasses each year under the guidance of Professor Martyn Brabbins and other conductors with the BBC SSO and RSNO.
Under the guidance of Professor Martyn Brabbins and Conducting Lecturer Michael Bawtree, you will have individual and group lessons, aural classes, discussion forums with industry professionals and the chance to engage with the extensive and varied opportunities that Glasgow – Scotland’s largest and most musically vibrant city – has to offer.
In addition to the MMus/MA programme, the Royal Conservatoire also offers a highly prestigious two-year Conducting Fellowship.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2nd October 2024
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1st December 2024
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
MA - 892F / MMus - 840F
Audition Fee:
£65.00
Application Fee:
£28.50
Please note
This course is subject to validation
Welcome to Conducting
Watch our short video for an introduction to the Conducting programme at RCS.
We spoke to some current conducting students about what makes RCS special and how their time here has prepared them to graduate into a career in the industry.
Why Study Conducting at RCS?
Extensive Professional Links
You will have access to unmatched opportunities to observe and collaborate with the country’s major orchestras, such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Close links with the national companies mean you will have the opportunity to build a strong professional network
Focused and Interdisciplinary Activities
Our programme is flexible and offers you a clear focus on performance, with substantial scope for both interdisciplinary collaboration and intellectual and academic challenges. You will also participate in regular aural classes dedicated solely to conductors.
International Recognition
You will join our long list of successful graduates. Our conductors consistently achieve success in international competitions, including the Solti Competition, the James Conlon Conducting Prize at the Aspen Music Festival and the Augsburg International Conductors’ Competition.
Meet the Staff
Graduate Destinations
Our conducting students have won the Marko and Salzburg Nestlé competitions, were second prize winners in the Solti and Princess Astrid competitions, and our last two Fellows have Assistantships with the RSNO and Czech Philharmonic.
Alumni include:
- Konstantinos Terzakis – Assistant Conductor, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Fergus Macleod – Recipient of the English National Opera Charles Mackerras Fellowship
- Ciarán McAuley – Resident Conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
- Jessica Cottis – Previously Assistant at the Sydney Symphony, and now Principal Conductor of the Glasgow New Music Expedition
- Simon Proust – 2nd Prize Princess Astrid Competition 2018
- Ryan Bancroft – Malko Competition Winner 2018, Principal Conductor of BBC National Orchestra of Wales
- Kerem Hasan – Salzburg Nestlé Competition Winner 2017
- Holly Mathieson – Assistant Conductor, Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- Jirí Rožen – Assistant Conductor, Czech Philharmonic
- Kerem Hasan – Chief Conductor, Tiroler Symphony Orchestra
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
- Group/Individual Conducting Lessons
- Assessed Portfolio of Conducting Work
Supporting Studies 1 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as conductors’ ensemble, masterclasses, repertoire classes and external projects
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
- Group/Individual Conducting Lessons
- Assessed Portfolio of Conducting Work via External Examination
Supporting Studies 2 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as conductors’ ensemble, masterclasses, repertoire classes, and external projects
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 version of the program 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 degrees: both concentrate mainly on performance rather than academic work.
It may be possible to study MMus Conducting part-time, over three or four years. However this is highly exceptional and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you are interested in studying MMus Conducting on a part-time basis, please get in touch with our admissions team: hello@rcs.ac.uk to explore this possibility.
No MA programme may be taken part-time. Additionally, international students on student visas are not permitted to undertake any of the part-time routes.
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:
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 – 892F OR MMus – 840F
The closing date for UK on-time 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.
Audition Information
After making an application through UCAS, applicants should submit a video recording by 2 October 2024 (UK) / 1 December 2024 (International) for shortlisting.
Recorded auditions must be submitted online using Accept’d.
If you submit your audition recording after the dates listed, we cannot guarantee the review of your recording by the audition panel.
Your video footage should:
- Be between 20-25 minutes
- Include extracts from at least two contrasting works showing you in rehearsal and performance
Once you submit your recording, this may be followed up with a live online interview.
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 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.
In the first round of the audition procedure, applicants will normally be required to conduct a work with piano.
Please note that the Conservatoire is obliged to offer one audition recording per application. If you are unable to submit your audition recording by the deadline date above, you must email us immediately stating the reason.
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.