Artist Diploma in Opera
New for 2025, this bespoke one-year programme, delivered in collaboration with Scottish Opera, gives you the opportunity to appear in a production with a UK national company as the culmination of your studies. You will work with some of the world’s finest coaches in vocal technique and stagecraft, across a high-level programme of intensive learning designed to prepare you for professional success.
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Overview
We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with Scottish Opera to offer a new one-year programme that is responsive to the needs of singers focused on entering the professional world.
Places on this programme will be offered on the basis of casting for a pre-decided production, which students will perform with Scottish Opera in both in Glasgow’s Theatre Royal and at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre in 2026, as well as performing in an RCS production in our New Athenaeum Theatre. These are currently planned to be Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen (sung in English) at RCS, and Massenet’s Werther (sung in French) with Scottish Opera.
All applicants for the Artist Diploma are expected to hold a masters degree in vocal performance, with those who reach the final selection for entry to the programme auditioning for an expert panel supported by the Scottish Opera casting team.
Artists on this programme will study within the Alexander Gibson Opera School, led by Head of Opera, Philip White. The school is also supported by the Head of Vocal Performance and Opera lecturers, Mark Hathaway and Duncan Williams.
The RCS Opera and Vocal Performance Departments are made up of experienced and distinguished teachers and practitioners, and a wide range of visiting coaches, conductors, directors and guest artists who will provide a constant source of external stimuli to support your learning.
We will be holding auditons (with pre-screening in place at some locations) in the US (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York), China (Shanghai, Beijing) Korea (Seoul), London and at our main campus in Glasgow. For more information about dates, venues and what to prepare for audition, please see out ‘how to apply’ section further down the page.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2024
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
See Audition Information
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
447F
Audition Fee:
£65
Application Fee:
£28.50
Why Study the Artist Diploma in Opera at RCS?
The coming together of one of the UK’s award-winning national opera companies with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland provides a unique, high-level student experience that is unparalleled in the United Kingdom. The new Artist Diploma course seeks to address the ever-changing landscape of the operatic world in providing the very best training, taking advantage of world-class facilities within a world-class institution for those on the cusp of entering the industry as working artists.
Unique training
We offer emerging artists a unique finishing school opportunity within the UK at one of the top ten Conservatoires in the world (QS World Rankings 2024).
Work with Scottish Opera
This course will give you the chance to work with Scotland’s largest performing arts company in both Glasgow and Edinburgh (typically, at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow and the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh)
Gain professional insight
Work alongside the music staff and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, and benefit from professional industry insight.
Bespoke approach to musicianship
Receive specialist training and teaching, tailored to your voice, based upon your casting in the Scottish Opera final production.
Learn from the best
Work alongside the highest coaches in vocal technique and stagecraft in the UK. Recent Opera and Vocal Studies students have had masterclasses from Dame Janet Baker, Sir Simon Keenlyside, Karen Cargill, Professor Susan McCulloch, Nicky Spence and more…
Expand your network
Gain access to both the UK and European industry through networking and connections provided by our collaboration with Scottish Opera.
Performance opportunities
Develop your skills as a performer and professional within the industry through participation in two bespoke opera productions, on the stage of RCS and of Scottish Opera, working with the music team and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Scotland’s national opera company.
Prepare for the profession
Unlock high-level conservatoire training and opportunities to prepare you for your professional career on the world opera scene.
Meet the Staff
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Head of Opera
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Lecturer in Acting
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Vocal Coach
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Vocal Tutors
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Coaches
Seann Alderking
Joyce Fieldsend
David Gowland
Fiona MacSherry
Steven Maughan
Anthony Legge
Ingrid Surgenor
Dylan Perez
David Doidge
David Cowan
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Language Coaches - French
Sonja Nerdrum
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Language Coaches - Italian
Matteo Dalle Fratte
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Language Coaches - German
Gerhard Gall
Katya Riek
Scottish Opera
This programme is delivered in collaboration with Scottish Opera, Scotland’s national opera company and the largest performing arts organisation in the country. This programme will allow emerging artists to work with the highest coaches in vocal technique and stagecraft in the UK and participate in two bespoke opera productions, one at RCS and the other with Scottish Opera, both in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Graduate Destinations
Since the inception of the RCS Opera department in 1994, students have come from all over the world to study in Glasgow and, of course, many have since forged international careers and are therefore now to be found singing on the international opera stage. The most common immediate destinations are:
- Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Programme
- Opera Studios/Young Artist Programmes in Europe (Strasbourg, Berlin, Zurich, Munich)
- Equivalent UK-based destinations ie The National Opera Studio/Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden
Recent graduates have been offered places on the Covent Garden Jette Parker scheme, the National Opera Studio, the Welsh International Academy of Voice, the International Opera Studio Staatsoper Berlin, the Salzburg Festival Young Singers Project, Opera Studio Bregenz Festival, the Verbier Academy, as well as contracts in fully professional houses including the Royal Opera House, Staatsoper Berlin, Deutsche Oper Berlin, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North, Welsh National Opera and Den Norske Opera.
Alumni include:
- Ross Cumming (Baritone, MMus Class of 2023) – Scottish Opera Emerging Artist 2023/24
- Lea Shaw (Mezzo-soprano, MMus Class of 2021) – Scottish Opera Emerging Artist 2023/24
- Multiple graduates have been involved in the Scottish Opera Emerging Artists programme, including Arthur Bruce, Mark Nathan and Charlie Drummond.
- Lauren Young (Mezzo-soprano, MMus Class of 2021) – Lauren recently performed in English National Opera’s production of A Handmaid’s Tale and will be performing in The Rake’s Progress on tour with ENO.
- Svetlina Stoyanova (Mezzo-soprano, MMus Class of 2018) – Winner of the Neue Stimmen International Singing Competition in 2017 and was named a Forbes Bulgaria “30 under 30” in 2019.
- Catriona Morison (Mezzo-soprano, MMus Class of 2013) – Cardiff Singer of the World Main Prize and Joint Song Prize winner in 2017.
- Anush Hovhannisyan (soprano, MMus Class of 2013) – recently performed as Violetta in La traviata at the Royal Danish Opera.
How to Apply
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires
**NOTE – If applying for an audition from the USA, please visit the Acceptd page via the link at the header of the page. You can then select the programme from the dropdown menu on the left (Music, Artist Diploma, Opera – Artist Diploma (US Only)).**
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 and submitting pre-screening recordings (details in the ‘Audition Information’ section below). Applicants will be informed when audition slots are available for booking.
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: 447F
If you submit your application after the application deadline, 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 for this programme will be selected on the basis of casting. We are currently planning to stage Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen (sung in English) at RCS, and Massenet’s Werther (sung in French) with Scottish Opera and its Orchestra.
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
All auditions are planned to take place in-person in the USA, in China, in South Korea, in London and at our campus in Glasgow. Should you apply on time, an invitation to book an audition slot via Acceptd will be sent to you. The audition panel will consist of both RCS staff as well as members of the casting department of Scottish Opera.
Please note: we are operating a pre-screening process for all live auditions, regardless of audition location. Please upload two contrasting arias (in language and period) to your Acceptd profile for this process. Deadlines for this depend on your audition location, please see the relevant section below.
Audition Dates
USA:
- Los Angeles – 24 October 2024
- Chicago – 27 October 2024
- New York City – 30 October 2024
As the USA audition dates are early in the application cycle, you do not need to have completed the UCAS form prior to audition. To apply to audition please choose ‘USA auditions’ from the dropdown menu in the Apply Now button at the top of the page. This will take you to the RCS Acceptd page where you should choose:
- Area – Music
- Degree – Artist Diploma
- Program – Opera – Artist Diploma (US only)
Please complete the application form, choosing the date and location in the USA for your audition and submitting your recordings. The deadline to submit the Acceptd application is 15th October 2024.
UK:
- Glasgow
- London
For UK applicants the deadline to submit the Acceptd application is 13th October 2024.
China:
- Shanghai – 29th November 2024
- Beijing – 1st December 2024
You do not need to have completed the UCAS form prior to audition. Please apply through Acceptd to audition in China. The deadline to submit the Acceptd application is the 17th November 2024.
Korea
- Seoul – 27th November 2024
You do not need to have completed the UCAS form prior to audition. Please apply through Acceptd to audition in South Korea. The deadline to submit the Acceptd application is the 17th November 2024.
All in-person auditions will go through a two round process, split across morning and afternoon sessions. Applicants will be notified on the day as to whether they have been selected for the second round. The RCS will be provide an accommpanist for the live auditions.
Audition Repertoire
All applicants are asked to prepare three contrasting arias in terms of language and period. The panel will choose which pieces they want to hear in the audition. Applicants are asked to bring their own accompaniment scores to the audition.
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:
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
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 in Opera are normally expected to hold an existing Masters degree in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme, 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.
Non-standard entry
We welcome applications from individuals whose academic qualifications do not match or fall short of the normal entrance requirements.
Fees & Funding
Tuition fees
This course is due to start in September 2025.
Home: £14,373
International: £29,623
Funding figures 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:
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:
More from the Opera Department
Read the Announcement
Read the press release about the new Artist Diploma in Opera in collaboration with Scottish Opera.
Book a Music Advice Lesson
Book an advice lesson from an RCS tutor ahead of your audition and application
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.