How to Apply - Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught

Application Process

Applicants for all UG and PGT RCS programmes (except for BA Performance for Deaf and HoH Actors) should apply through UCAS Conservatoires or UCAS Undergraduate and Acceptd.

Step 1:

Applications are made through the UCAS Conservatoires or UCAS Undergraduate websites (see below for which UCAS scheme by programme). Please note the UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system.

To begin a new UCAS Conservatoires application, you will need to register. You can read UCAS Conservatoires’ advice on completing the UCAS Conservatoires application.

For applications through UCAS Undergraduate please see https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-to-university

Step 2:

Applicants will also be required to create an Acceptd account when applying, which will be used for scheduling interviews/auditions. If you do not have an Acceptd account, we will not be able to schedule your audition. You will need to input your UCAS ID number as part of your Acceptd application.  Many of our programmes also require the submission of supplementary materials or video auditions (if you have chosen the recording option), which will submitted through Acceptd.

Please check the programme page for the deadlines to upload materials as this may differ to the application deadline for some programmes.

Application Fees

The UCAS application fee is currently £28.50 (this is in addition to the audition fee which differs between courses and is listed on the programme page), which allows up to six choices of programme of study.

We recognise that auditioning and interviewing for conservatoires, drama and ballet schools can be costly. The audition fee charge allows us to offer a thorough and positive experience to all applicants and we encourage you to ask the panel questions and find out more about the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to see if it is the best fit 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 undergraduate applicants whose financial hardship may be a barrier to auditioning. Please see the audition fee waiver document for more information.

Admissions Process

Our admissions processes are designed to be fair, transparent, and efficient. The audition/interview approach serves the dual nature of allowing the panel to assess first-hand an applicant’s suitability for their chosen programme and it also affords the applicant the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the nature of that programme and the opportunities offered by the RCS.

In arriving at its recommendation, the audition/interview panel will take account of all aspects of the applicant’s profile i.e.:

• Performance at audition/interview
• Commitment to the particular programme
• Potential to benefit from the programme
• Academic qualifications
• Personal statement
• Performance qualifications
• Performance/practical experience
• References
• Contextualised data

Mature Students

RCS welcomes applications from mature students, i.e. students over the age of 21 at entry to the programme. Whilst the selection procedures will still be applied, consideration will be given to appropriate artistic experience not normally expected in school leavers, which is deemed to compensate for any lack of traditional entrance qualifications.

Successful mature applicants, as for all other applicants, must convince auditioning panels that they have the ability and potential to cope with the demands of the programme. Their progress, especially in the early stages of the programme, will be closely monitored and appropriate advice and support given.

Replying to Offers

As soon as a decision is made, UCAS Conservatoires/UCAS Undergraduate will let you know. You must reply to your offer online via UCAS Track by the reply date displayed on your Track. If you do not reply by the date given, your offers will be declined automatically by UCAS. The reply date may be different to other applicants as it is based on when you receive your last decision.

Please see the UCAS websites for more information on replying to offers.

UCAS Conservatoires – https://www.ucas.com/conservatoires/replying-your-ucas-conservatoires-offers

UCAS Undergraduate – https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/after-you-apply/types-undergraduate-offers/replying-your-ucas-undergraduate-offers

If you make an application through UCAS Conservatoires, UCAS or UCAS Teacher Training, you cannot hold more than one confirmed place. A confirmed place in UCAS Conservatoires is a guaranteed unconditional offer as your first choice (GU1) and in UCAS and UCAS Teacher Training it is an unconditional firm (UF) place. If you receive more than one confirmed place, UCAS will ask you to accept one offer and withdraw from any others.

International Exchange/Study Abroad

If you are currently a student at one of our international partner institutions and would like to spend some time studying at RCS, you can find out more about how to apply for international exchange on our dedicated page:

International Exchange and Study Abroad