BMus (Hons) Performance
Our BMus (Hons) Performance programme balances strong practical experience with professional development, preparing aspiring performers for a career as a working musician.
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Overview
BMus (Hons) Performance is a four-year, full-time programme aimed at honing performers’ potential. It is strongly practical and vocational in purpose, with most of your study time devoted to individual and ensemble performance activities. However, this is also substantially complemented by a core curriculum in professional skills development, research skills, and the development of critical and reflective thinking.
The programme’s structure and content are designed to allow you to develop the full range of your creative and technical abilities and to equip you with the professional skills and knowledge that will enable you to pursue your musical interests and aspirations to the highest level. The BMus Programme offers a unique opportunity for you to immerse yourself in a creative and supportive environment dedicated to the study and practice of music in a multidisciplinary setting that includes dance, drama, film and production programmes alongside music.
Our aim for our graduates is to prepare you for both postgraduate study and professional employment as performers, teachers, and in other careers as part of the portfolio career common within the contemporary music profession.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
2 October 2024
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
1 December 2024 (2 October 2024 for Keyboard principal study)
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
300F
Audition Fee:
£65
Application Fee:
£28.50
Principal Study
Students on the BMus (Hons) Performance pathway can choose from the following principal studies:
Programme Structure
In year 1 your studies are divided between your principal study (e.g. your specific instrument, or composition), and a range of other modules that building knowledge, skills and experience relevant for a professional musician.
Principal study/Supporting studies – this includes your one-to-one tuition on your instrument, voice or in composition and a range of supporting studies in your department (e.g. Keyboard, Brass, Composition, etc.) including classes, workshops, masterclasses and large ensemble work. You also begin to develop your reflective skills in relation to understanding your strengths and development opportunities.
Core Curriculum Studies (CCS) in Musicianship and History (contextual studies) – weekly classes on ear training, harmony, music theory, analysis, music history, and skills in research and writing.
Professional skills – an introduction to some of the skills required to enter the profession; and an introduction to working as a music leader in educational and community settings
Creative Citizenship – an introduction to the cultural, artistic, political, and educational context of learning in a Higher Education Performing Arts institution, equipping you with understandings and skills which enable you to be resilient, pro-active, compassionate, and ethical collaborators and peers within this context.
Module Breakdown
- Principal Study 1: 60 Credits
- Supporting Studies 1: 10 credits
- Contextual Studies 1: 10 credits
- Musicianship 1: 10 credits
- Creative Citizenship: 10 credits
- Introduction to Professional Skills for Musicians: 10 credits
- Music Leadership: 10 credits
Principal study/Supporting studies – as in year 1, this includes your one-to-one tuition on your instrument, voice or in composition and a range of supporting studies in your department (e.g. Keyboard, Brass, Composition, etc.) including classes, workshops, masterclasses and large ensemble work. You continue to develop your reflective skills in relation to understanding your strengths and development opportunities.
Core Curriculum Studies (CCS) in Musicianship and History (contextual studies) – weekly classes on more developed ear training, harmony, music theory, analysis, music history, and skills in research and writing. This includes an introduction to extended compositional techniques, and a specific historical focus on music post-1900.
Professional skills – in year 2, the professional skills module focuses specifically on the pedagogy of your own discipline and the skills and knowledge of an effective teacher. an introduction to more of the skills required to enter the profession.
IXP modules – you choose a 10 credit IXP module from our catalogue of more than 30 choices. These modules provide you with learning opportunities outside of your core-curriculum within a community of learners from across the Conservatoire. Modules vary from year to year but currently include a wide range of topics such as Gamelan, Kodaly, Experimental Improvisatory Practices, Mindfulness, Community Music, Writing for the Screen and British Sign Language.
Module Breakdown
- Principal Study 2: 60 Credits
- Supporting Studies 2: 20 credits
- Contextual Studies 2: 10 credits
- Musicianship 2: 10 credits
- Interdisciplinary and Extended Practice (IXP): 10 credits
- The Teaching Musician: 10 credits
Principal study/Supporting studies – as in BMus1 and 2, this includes your one-to-one tuition on your instrument, voice or in composition; a range of supporting studies in your department; and continuing reflections on strengths and development opportunities.
Professional skills – in BMus3, the focus is on how to approach a freelance career and on planning a project related to your life after graduation.
Core Curriculum Studies (CCS) – in BMus3, you will choose two an elective topics, one from those offered in Musicianship and one in Contextual Studies. While the topics on offer will vary from year to year, typical choices include Musicianship electives in Orchestration, Advanced Aural Skills, ARSM Teaching Diploma, Introductions to Jazz or Folk Ensembles and free Composition; Contextual Studies choices include the study of topics ranging from Beethoven’s String quartets to A History of Scotland in 100 Tunes; from Performance Practice to The Beatles; from film and television music to Music Psychology.
IXP modules – you choose another 10 credit IXP module from the catalogue: this might be the continuation at a higher level of a topic you began last year, or a completely new topic.
Module Breakdown
- Principal Study 3: 60 Credits
- Supporting Studies 3: 20 credits
- Contextual Studies Electives: 10 credits
- Musicianship Electives: 10 credits
- Interdisciplinary and Extended Practice (IXP): 10 credits
- The Freelance Musician: 10 credits
Principal study/Supporting studies – as in previous years, this includes your one-to-one tuition on your instrument, voice or in composition; a range of supporting studies in your department.
Research Paper – the research paper is a small, student-directed project that brings together the reflective skills developed in Principal Study in years 1 to 3 with the research skills developed in Contextual Studies. The paper explores a topic of your own choice that is of direct relevance to your own interests and development as a musician, supported by a supervising tutor.
Options: Professional Development options – as a culmination of the professional skills modules in years 1-3, you will undertake a project related to your career after graduation. Choices here include a public performance, a professional composition project, work in music education or community music, a business project or another project of your own design.
Other options – In addition to the project module you may also take either another IXP module, or a Musicianship or Contextual Studies elective that you did not take in year 3.
Module Breakdown
- Principal Study 4: 60 Credits
- Supporting Studies 4: 15 credits
- Research Paper: 15 credits
- Professional Development Options: 20 credits
- IXP and Electives: 30 credits
How to Apply
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires
Applications are made through the 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 codes to apply: 300F – Music Performance (BMus Hons)
The closing date for on-time BMus (Hons) Performance applications for UK students is 2 October 2024 and for International students is 1 December 2024, unless you are applying for principal study in Keyboard, in which case the closing date for ALL on-time applications is 2 October 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.
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 whose financial hardship may be a barrier to auditioning. Please note you can only apply for a fee waiver request once you have completed and submitted your UCAS application. Please see the audition fee waiver form for more information.
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 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.
BMus Joint Principal Study (JPS)
The Joint Principal Study pathway is intended to cater for the needs of individuals who are equally accomplished in two Principal Study disciplines (e.g. Flute and Composition, or Trumpet and Conducting, etc.) and who wish to maintain this intense level of dedication in their musical studies. Please note that Conducting is only available as a Joint Principal Study and Jazz Performance is only available in conjunction with Conducting or Composition.
BMus Joint Principal Study is a separate programme we offer, more information is available on the dedicated programme page:
BMus (Hons) Joint Principal Study
Audition Information
Audition requirements depend on which principal study you are applying for. You can find these requirements on the individual department pages below:
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
- Scottish Highers — 3 passes (grade C or above)
- A Levels — 2 passes
- International Baccalaureate — minimum score of 24 with 3 subjects at Higher Level
- Recognised equivalences (EU and International Entry Requirements)
We welcome the Scottish Baccalaureate and will accept combinations of Highers and Advanced Highers.
We offer a flexible approach to students taking Higher over more than one academic year and/or who achieve their qualifications in more than one sitting.
Within the minimum academic entrance requirements listed above, the subject recommended are:
- Music at Higher, Advanced Higher or Advanced level or equivalent
- English at Higher, Advanced Higher or Advanced level or 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.
Music requirements
A strong indication of potential is sought at the entrance audition for this programme. Successful applicants will normally be of a standard at least equivalent to Grade 8 with Distinction of the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music in their Principal Study. You can apply and audition without having obtained Grade 8 with distinction, however as an indication only, applicants are normally expected to have reached this standard in their performance.
Direct entry
Applications for direct entry beyond Year 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Royal Conservatoire’s Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning policy. If you wish to apply for direct entry, please mark the point of entry on UCAS Conservatoires application as 2 or 3.
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:
- Scotland: £1,820
- RUK: £9,250
- International (including EU): £27,968
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:
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.