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Un
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InternatIonal performIng opportunItIes for every dIscIplIne
784 undergraduate students and 195 postgraduate students
studIed wIth us In 2013/14
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contents
RCS is very much part of the local community, using art to
transform the lives of people in Glasgow – whether this is
locally through community arts projects or on an international
stage such as performing at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth
Games. We are national, representing the cultural distinctiveness
of our nation, and we are international in our reach – attracting
students from across the globe to benefit from our unique
artistic education and projecting our work in the great cities
and communities around the world.
We are the only UK conservatoire to offer excellence across the
performing arts disciplines of dance, drama, music, production
and screen. As such, our experience is unique, brimming with
possibility, and primed to help you become artistic leaders.
I hope to welcome you here as a student in the future.
Jeffrey sharkey principal
glasgow is one of the greatest cities for the arts and we are proud to have the conservatoire of the future located here. I am so pleased you want to continue your artistic education and
you are considering studying with us at the Royal Conservatoire
of Scotland. There is an innovative energy here at RCS that
will inspire, transform and prepare you, as well as educate and
nurture your individual artistic voice.
RCS is a community of artists. Our collaborative curriculum
encourages a sense of community and allows space where
new work can be created and performed within your own
discipline or across the multiple art forms we excel in. All of
our teaching staff are leaders in their respective fields with
years of educational experience to guide your learning.
Every day RCS is filled with thoughtful, disciplined work from
our students and staff. We learn through our journey of study
and reflection, through preparing for performances and by
sharing work in our multitude of halls and performing venues
each year.
We are embedded in Glasgow and Scotland, partnering with
all the national companies and every major arts organisation.
As the only conservatoire for the nation, you will benefit directly
from the many professional artists that come to Scotland –
you will watch them perform, learn from them in masterclasses
and guest lectures, and be inspired by their artistry.
welcome to our conservatoIre
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welcome dance
what you need to know drama
our experts music
our partners production
campus and facilities screen
location learning and teaching
student life research
graduate destinations how to apply
open days
“The RCS experience is unique, brimming with possibility and primed to help you to become the artistic leaders of the future.” Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal
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3. you get more contact time with your tutor than at any other uK conservatoire We have one of the highest staff-student ratios of any conservatoire
in the UK. If you’re a music student here, you will receive a
90-minute individual lesson each week on your principal
study. And if you have a second instrument – you’ll get another
30-minute individual lesson every week. This makes RCS the
UK’s leading conservatoire for individual music tuition.
4. glasgow is the best place for artists to work in scotlandAs the unofficial capital of Scotland, Glasgow is the epicentre
for the nation’s leading performing arts companies and is home
to BBC Scotland, Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, Playwrights’
Studio Scotland and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
This means our students are ideally placed in Glasgow to work
with industry experts on our doorstep. Glasgow is also home
to dozens of theatres, performing arts venues and music halls
and is renowned for its love and celebration of culture.
5. we love to collaborate From the second you walk in the door, you will be collaborating
with your fellow students – across all the art forms. RCS is a
unique environment where you will have countless opportunities
to collaborate and create new work. From the annual, cross-
disciplinary Bridge Week Festival to working in partnership
with the national companies on collective projects – your
artistic voice will be developed and nurtured.
6. our graduates work Benefitting from the strong working partnerships with the
national companies and industry leaders, our graduates work
in their field upon completing their studies. Across each
discipline, graduates achieve notable success – with many
students securing work or apprenticeships before they finish
their studies. In the School of Music, 99% of our undergraduate
students are employed or in further study (HESA, 12/13).
1. performance is everythingOur whole curriculum is built around performance, ensuring
we equip you with the skills to be the best performer you
can be. Every year we hold over 500 performances across our
five professional venues, making us the busiest performing
arts centre in the whole of Scotland.
As well as performing in RCS, you will also have the opportunity
to perform in a range of external venues throughout your time
here, taking to the stage at other UK theatres, festivals, concert
halls and industry events. Some of the performance highlights
of the past year include:
| MA Classical and Contemporary Text students
performing Love’s Labour’s Lost at
Shakespeare’s Globe, London
| Music students playing alongside nicola Benedetti and
the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Chennai,
Delhi and Mumbai
| BA Acting and BA Production Arts and Design students
touring their production of Coriolanus to St. Petersburg
| BA Digital Film and TV students premiering their films
on the big screen at Cineworld
2. our tutors are seriously good Some of the industry’s best performers and educators work
here. Our specialist tutors are all practising professionals in their
own industry so you can learn from their experience as well
as benefit from their knowledge and contacts. You’ll also learn
from the huge array of visiting artists who visit RCS regularly
to teach masterclasses. In recent years, our visiting artists
have included donald runnicles, peter manning, nicola Benedetti, matthew Bourne, paul laverty and Billy Boyd.
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what you need to Know
with just under 1,000 students learning across two locations, specialising in five different art forms, rcs is oozing with innovative ideas, creative performances and a mass of talent. If you want to cut through the noise, here are some essential things you need to know about rcs.
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KATHERINE
BRYAN
what is a typical working day like for you?
Mostly pretty crazy! If I’m rehearsing for a full day with
the RSNO, I sometimes teach for a few hours afterwards.
It’s amazing, I can be totally exhausted but the moment a
student comes in, it’s like a caffeine shot! Trying to then fit
in some practise time for myself can be challenging, but often
necessary, so it usually gets squeezed in at the end of the day.
what’s been your career highlight to date?
Giving the Scottish premiere of American composer
Christopher Rouse’s Flute Concerto. A relatively unknown
piece in the UK, but I couldn’t have wished for a better
response. To feel you have successfully sold a new piece
to audiences is a wonderful feeling.
you’ve studied at music schools in the uK and us, including Juilliard. what is it about the rcs school of music that is different from other institutions?
The number of students here isn’t too large so there are lots
of opportunities for everyone, and also a great camaraderie
between students. They are very supportive of one another.
There is a great atmosphere at RCS – it’s like a big family.
People go out of their way to help each other, both staff
and students. Also, it is easier to gain access to Scottish-
based professional musicians. The proximity of RCS to all of
Scotland’s national companies and Glasgow’s cultural
events means making contacts is easy.
what are you looking for in a potential music student?
Enthusiasm, openness, and a good work ethic. And a true
love for music, of course.
what advice would you give a graduate who is just finishing their studies and wants a performing career?
Try and get as much performing experience as possible –
even the smallest venue, audience or programme. If you
want something, never think “I’m not sure if I should go for it
in case I don’t get it” – prepare and go in with a positive state
of mind. Oh, and always answer your phone and reply to
emails! The only thing better than a talented musician is
an organised, talented musician!
flautist Katherine Bryan has been performing to international audiences since she was just 15 years old. at the young age of 21, Katherine was appointed principal flute with the royal scottish national orchestra – a position she still holds whilst performing globally and teaching at rcs.
you have been teaching at rcs for nine years. what is it you enjoy most about teaching?
I love seeing a student improve over the course of our lessons,
but it’s not just about that; to see a student embrace an idea
and run with it is just fantastic for any teacher. I really enjoy
discussing concepts with students and seeing them get
inspired by the pieces we work on together.
music students receive a 90-minute lesson each week on their principal study – 30 minutes more than any other uK conservatoire offers. how much difference does this extra individual teaching time make to a student?
Extra time to build a strong, trusting relationship with a
teacher is something I valued hugely when I was a student.
There is always so much to get through, so 90 minutes is
wonderful, especially in the first couple of years of study. It’s
nice to have more time to discuss ideas and work on things
properly. I usually go into a lot of detail during lessons, so it’s
good not to be rushed, and give the student time to
ask questions.
you hold the position of principal flute at the rsno. what benefits are there in maintaining a performing career alongside teaching?
I find that demonstrating in lessons is very important.
Quite often I am teaching pieces that I’m actually playing at
that time, which is interesting. It benefits my playing too!
I have to really think “how do I get around that problem?”
and then I can impart the solution and hopefully help the
student instantly. As a soloist, I can talk to students about
performance techniques, from how to deal with nerves
to communicating with an audience and having physical
presence on stage.
The RSNO performs virtually every week just minutes away
from RCS, so I encourage my students to come to as many
concerts as they can. There’s no better resource than that
for orchestral playing!
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RICHARD
SMITH
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you deliver some of your teaching over skype. what are the challenges of using this particular delivery method?
I don’t think it’s a question of challenges anymore. Skype is a
great opportunity, and it reflects the way the business works;
films are often packaged with creative teams across the globe,
and it’s routine to conduct Skype meetings, conference calls
and even video pitches. Students have grown up with video
calling these days, so it doesn’t feel like a barrier.
you work in both scotland and la. what differences are there between the scottish and us film industries?
They’re just different beasts, and within the US, there are
multiple industries. The most eye-opening thing about
Hollywood is that it’s a business in the strictest sense; the
studios aim to attract the biggest audiences, not necessarily
to push creative boundaries. This becomes the purview of
the independent sectors and films with arts funding (which
is most Scottish and British films). The industry needs all
those different parts, but you have to be mindful of who
you’re writing for.
the film industry in glasgow and scotland has grown rapidly in recent years. what opportunities are there for a screen graduate in scotland?
It’s a competitive business, with no single clear career path,
but the most important thing to remember is that talent and
hard work gets recognised. There are many active production
companies in Scotland, and major broadcasters, who hire
good people. Bursaries are available to writers, and arts
funding is offered to short films and features. There are
postgraduate programmes to further skills too. Our graduates
have taken advantage of all these paths. In the last twelve
months alone, two of our alumni (who are professional
screenwriters with agents) have sold major feature scripts,
so the course has proved to be an excellent springboard
into the industry.
what advice would you give someone who is thinking of applying to study screen at rcs?
Do it!
richard smith is a Bafta award-winning screenwriter who works in los angeles and scotland. alongside his creative work, richard tutors digital film and television students, delivering lectures over skype and intensive masterclasses when in scotland. here, richard speaks to us about working in the competitive film industry.
can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?
I’ve been writing professionally since 2002. I have film and
TV projects in the UK and US, including one currently in
Glasgow (titled Glasgow Kiss). My first two films were Leonard
(a character drama, starring RCS alumnus denis lawson) and
Trauma (a dark psychological thriller, starring colin firth),
and I’ve continued writing in both genres ever since. I’ve been
lucky enough to work with producers like christian colson,
Warner Brothers, BBC, Ealing Studios and Overbrook
Entertainment.
how did you become involved in teaching at rcs?
Not long after the DFTV course was created in 2004,
I was asked to meet with students to discuss the scripts they
were shooting. The students were obviously very talented,
but needed help harnessing and focusing their imagination.
Before long, I was creating a screenwriting module, which
included classroom teaching and ongoing individual script
development. This now interlocks with other elements
of the DFTV course, and has become a crucial part
of the curriculum.
what are the most enjoyable aspects about teaching at rcs?
I get to work closely with students from the moment they
arrive, on multiple script projects. Seeing their storytelling
skills and their voices develop is a real thrill. It’s a proud moment
to see them ultimately produce original, challenging and
convincing graduation films.
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Image: Richard Smith in action on set.
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want to worK wIth the Best In the Industry?
we are uniquely placed in scotland to partner with a wealth of inspiring professional and artistic companies. our partnerships are so embedded within each of the programmes that it is impossible to separate the two. these are just some of the professional partnerships we work with regularly.
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scottish opera
Scottish Opera is situated next door to the Wallace Studios
campus and we are more than just good neighbours with
our fellow artists. Annually, students play side-by-side with
the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, work closely with senior
technicians and train with the performers.
“We believe there are numerous benefits to our collaboration
with RCS for young musicians. The orchestra audition process
allows students the experience of auditioning for orchestral
parts at the highest levels and prepares them for what to expect
in the industry. Either through mentoring or by experiencing
the rehearsals, you are learning what it’s like to perform
alongside a professional, highly skilled, very talented
collection of players.
Also, working closely with RCS Production students has been
most useful – it’s given us a chance to trial the young students
so that when they graduate they often come to work for us
professionally.”
alex reedijk
General Director of Scottish Opera
scottish Ballet
Scottish Ballet is Scotland’s national dance company which
provides world class performances in Scotland and
throughout the globe.
RCS has worked in partnership with Scottish Ballet since the
very beginning of the BA Modern Ballet degree in 2009, and
the programme is delivered jointly between us. Working so
closely with leading industry professionals means students
learn directly from the very best performers and teachers,
with unrivalled performance opportunities.
Visiting artists to Scottish Ballet regularly come to give
masterclasses and tutorials. Recent guests include matthew Bourne, constant vigier and nicolas Blanc.
This year, five of our BA Modern Ballet students received
parts in Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker, directed by peter darrell. This includes third-year dancer elayne seaton
who, since appearing in The Nutcracker, has been offered
a place in the company.
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shakespeare’s globe
We are proud to partner Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
on London’s south bank. Each year our MA Classical and
Contemporary Text students spend a full month learning at
the Globe, refining their craft. As well as a Shakespeare play
and other Renaissance theatre text, you also have the chance
to perform on the world’s most iconic stage.
“We teach you Shakespeare how Shakespeare would have
done it. The whole faculty at the Globe enjoy having the
MA CCT students here – they work incredibly hard, the
standard is very high and it is always a great month
for everyone involved.”
nick hutchison
Course Director at Shakespeare’s Globe
BBc scotland
Glasgow is the epicentre of film and media in Scotland and
BBC Scotland is located only a short walk from our campus.
RCS has a unique agreement with BBC Scotland so our
students from across each discipline can learn their craft
inside BBC Scotland’s professional environment. Over the
years, this partnership has given students lots of learning
opportunities including: live TV performances, radio
recordings, film-making on location on BBC sets and
professional placements with BBC Scottish Symphony
Orchestra.
This fruitful partnership enables you to learn from experts
and work in a live industry setting. In 2014, some of the work
our students carried out with BBC Scotland included:
| DFTV and Acting students filmed on location
at BBC’s River City set
| Jazz students performed live on BBC Scotland’s
Jazz House radio show
| BMus students travelled to India to perform with
BBC SSO on their Commonwealth tour with
nicola Benedetti and James macmillan
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chandler studio theatre
The Chandler, as it’s affectionately known to students, is a
versatile black box space which can be used for devised
performances or for smaller-set productions.
ledger recital room
This venue is used for smaller concerts and performances, with
a capacity of just over 100, and features a minstrels’ gallery.
whittaker library
The Whittaker Library is one of the world’s most comprehensive
collections of performance materials for dance, drama, music,
production and screen.
In addition to unique print materials, you will have access to
thousands of electronic resources, and extensive audio and
film collections. There’s also a dedicated silent study area
and enhanced WiFi hotspots to make sure you get the best
learning experience.
wallace studios at speirs locksThe Wallace Studios is our second campus, located at Speirs
Locks, a ten-minute walk from the Renfrew Street campus.
In 2014, a £6.2 million extension of the Wallace Studios was
completed, affording our students with an additional eight
large ensemble rehearsal rooms – big enough to rehearse
staged performances before they transfer to the venues.
This campus was created to be a state-of-the-art learning and
teaching space for our specialist disciplines. Here you will
find beautiful, light ballet studios, a wardrobe department
that could rival any of the national theatres’, and an extensive
studio for design and set construction students – including a
full-size stage paint frame.
the rcs campus is across two locations: renfrew street and the wallace studios at speirs locks.
renfrew streetPositioned in the heart of Glasgow, Renfrew Sreet is home to
the School of Music and the School of Dance, Drama, Production
and Screen. Alongside a host of drama rehearsal rooms and
music practice suites, Renfrew Street is where you’ll find the
Whittaker Library, the Digital Training Unit, the Student IT
Suite and our four recording studios.
Renfrew Street also houses five professional performance
venues and welcomes over 40,000 audience members through
the front door each year to watch over 500 performances
programmed during the academic calendar.
new athenaeum theatre
The principal venue for plays, musicals and opera, the New
Athenaeum Theatre is an impressive theatre space which can
seat an audience of over 300. The stage is equal in size to that
of the London Palladium, therefore makes a perfect space for
performers to learn on. Additionally, there’s an orchestra pit for
up to 50 players and the theatre is fully equipped with the
latest stage technologies, including automated flying equipment.
stevenson hall
Our most prestigious concert hall boasts a magnificent organ
and is frequently in demand by the BBC for recordings and
broadcasts. This venue is where the RCS Symphony Orchestra
rehearse and perform. Recent performers in this venue
include nicola Benedetti, steve reich, steven osborne and
courtney pine.
alexander gibson opera school
Our purpose-built opera school is a flexible performance space
which can be used for a full-scale opera production or for a
rehearsal and coaching space.
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our conservatoIre In the heart of glasgow
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map key 1: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Renfrew Street2: The Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks 3: The Glasgow School of Art4: Glasgow Film Theatre5: Theatre Royal 6: Scottish Opera7: National Theatre of Scotland8: King’s Theatre 9: Centre for Contemporary Arts10: The Royal Concert Hall11: The National Piping Centre12: The Lighthouse
“Glasgow’s nightlife – and the city in general – is one of the most creative, friendly and witty scenes in the country. The sprawling industrial town, which has been tirelessly regenerating itself over the past three decades, seems to produce an endless stream of forward-thinking musicians, artists and designers that spiral out of its live music venues, pubs and clubs.”The Guardian, July 2014
Image above: A Bridge Week performance taking place in the Ledger Recital Room
BuchananBus station
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EDGY
LEGENDARY
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FRIENDLY
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culture cityHeralded in Time magazine as Europe’s secret capital of music,
Glasgow’s live music scene is unrivalled. As well as being home
to most of the country’s leading orchestras and ensembles,
Glasgow is world-renowned for its underground music scene,
boasting a plethora of bars and clubs full of new talent. Glasgow’s
live music reputation is further enhanced with The Hydro, a
purpose built music venue which has already attracted some
major performers to the city.
Glasgow is rich in arts culture with numerous theatres and
performing arts venues all within close reach of the city centre.
There are also over 20 museums and galleries scattered around
the city – with the majority free to enter.
The city has fast become a hub for the UK film industry and
is home to BBC Scotland, STV, and countless entertainment,
technology and digital companies. You may recognise Glasgow
landmarks from films such as World War Z, Fast and the Furious
6 and Under the Skin as the city’s landscape has attracted
Hollywood film-makers in recent years.
Eclectic cultural delights range from the Britannia Panopticon,
the world’s oldest surviving music hall, to the Gallery of Modern
Art. Throw into the mix the breath-taking Necroplolis or one of
the city’s many parks and you’ll never be at a loss for something
to do.
award-winning city
glasgow is featured in:
| top 10 cities in the world Rough Guides, 2014
| top 10 places in the world Lonely Planet, 2013
| top 20 places in the world The Telegraph, 2014
the eyes of the world are on glasgow. As host of the
Commonwealth Games 2014 and the MTV European Music
Awards 2014, Scotland’s unofficial capital has also been named
as one of the top ten places in the world to visit by travel gurus
Lonely Planet (2013) and Rough Guides (2014).
Intrigued at what makes this city so special? Spend just 24 hours
in Glasgow and you’ll be smitten with the Glaswegian friendly
‘banter’, Victorian architectural masterpieces intertwined with
cutting-edge style and design, the culinary classics (haggis
and tatties, anyone?) and, of course, the fiercely proud, artistic
culture.
“glasgow comBInes style, edgy urBanIty and the resIdents’ legendary frIendlIness In a captIvatIng Blend that wIll leave you wantIng more.” lonely planet, 2013
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“One of the reasons I chose to study in Glasgow was the live music scene – there’s always something going on.” Conor Lee-Bourke, BA Modern Ballet student
student cityAs the second largest student city in the UK, Glasgow is home
to 130,000 students. Every September during Freshers’ Week
the city is thriving with new students exploring what the city
has to offer.
shoppingAside from its cultural jewels, Glasgow is famous for its shopping.
The ‘Style Mile’ is located around the corner from RCS and
is one square mile of brand retail, with student favourites
Topshop, H&M, Urban Outfitters and high-end designer
stores Mulberry and Armani. If you prefer something quirkier,
hop over to Glasgow’s West End and browse the numerous
vintage shops and independent music stores.
eating and drinkingRCS is a stone’s throw away from many of Glasgow’s finest
restaurants, café bars, traditional pubs and local eateries.
Crowned most vegan-friendly city in the UK in 2013, Glasgow
caters for all types of culinary tastes.
nightlifeFrom old-school pubs to electro and techno clubs, Glasgow’s
nightlife has it all. For great student nights out, head along
Bath Street and Sauchiehall Street for late night bars, before
trying one of the many club nights. The Sub Club, the
longest running underground club in the world, is the place
for clubbers who take their techno seriously. Alternatively,
Ashton Lane is a cobblestoned, fairy-lit haven of cosy pubs
and bars that stay open until the wee hours.
Image below: Sauchiehall Street is the student centre of Glasgow and is a 20-second walk from the front doors of RCS. Head here for a multitude of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and music stores.
festivalsGlaswegians love nothing more than a celebration, and not a
month goes by without Scotland’s largest city hosting a festival.
Highlights include Celtic Connections in January featuring
two weeks of the best Scottish music, the Glasgow Film Festival
in February premiering the best films from Scotland and across
the world, the Glasgow Jazz Festival in June, and Bard in the
Botanics, an open-air summer festival of Shakespearean
classics. Usually the common denominator in all these festivals
is that they feature RCS students or graduates.
getting aroundGlasgow’s city centre is compact; you can walk from one end
of the city to the other in less than an hour and the transport
links are excellent and relatively inexpensive. The majority of
students walk or cycle to RCS and Glasgow has a city-wide bike
hire scheme.
money mattersIt is estimated that a student’s living costs for everything
(including accommodation) in Glasgow is £156 per week.
For an all-day travel ticket on the subway (the underground
transport system), students pay £2.70. The average price for
a pint of milk is 49p and the average price for a pint of beer
is £2.78.
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glasgow is the most cost-effective city for students living in the uK.(Natwest Student Living Index 2014)
rcs in edinburghTaking advantage of our close proximity to the capital city,
RCS has close links with several theatres, production companies
and universities in Edinburgh. Here’s a small sample of the
work our students do in Edinburgh.
| MA Musical Theatre students take two shows each year
to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and perform in top
venues, including the Assembly Hall
| In partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the
Edinburgh International Festival, we run an Artistic
Entrepreneurship short course for arts producers
from around the globe
| Music students perform at a variety of events, including
the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in individual projects and
as accompanists to the MA Musical Theatre students
location: edinburgh A 55-minute train journey links Scotland’s two largest cities,
making Edinburgh hugely accessible to RCS students. Edinburgh
welcomes over four million visitors each year, and a stroll
through the capital is enough to understand why the city is
so popular for tourists. Whether you’re looking for culture,
heritage or performing arts – Edinburgh delivers.
edinburgh festivalsThe arts world flocks to Edinburgh every August to revel in
the Edinburgh Festivals. Whilst the largest and most famous
events are the Edinburgh International Festival and the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, you will also find a host of other
cultural festivals taking place around the city in August,
including the Edinburgh Mela, the Edinburgh International
Book Festival and the Royal Military Tattoo. Every square inch
of the city is turned into a performance space for the festivals.
Pubs, clubs and pop-up beer gardens stay open till 5am with
shows continuing into the early morning. There’s even a daily
comedy show up the iconic Arthur’s Seat if you’re inclined to
do some hillwalking as a pre-show warm up.
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Images: Edinburgh’s Princes Street fireworks display at Hogmanay. MA Musical Theatre student performs as Gomez during the 2014 run of The Addams Family at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
4. spend time in Kelvingrove art gallery and musuemKelvingrove is a magnificent building – both inside and out.
Spend a couple of hours wandering through the galleries and
draw inspiration from classic masterpieces by Dali, Van Gogh,
Rembrandt, Pissarro and more contemporary works from
the Glasgow Boys and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Best of all,
the permanent exhibitions at Kelvingrove are free to enter.
5. go to the lochsWhether you’re looking for that monster or wanting to explore
the Scottish countryside, Scotland’s lochs are simply gorgeous.
Loch Ness and Loch Lomond are the most famous, with Loch
Lomond and the Trossachs only a 30-minute drive from the
city centre.
location: scotland
“One of the top three countries in the world” Lonely Planet, 2014
Being based in Glasgow means you can easily explore all
Scotland has to offer – whether you’re doing it by car, bus or
train. Here are the top five things we recommend you have to
do when living in Scotland.
1. Bag a munroFamous for being a land of hills, there are 282 Munros in Scotland
(mountains with a height of over 3,000 ft). A popular hobby is
to ‘bag’ a Munro by climbing to the summit – a common aim
among hillwalkers is to try and climb all 282.
2. celebrate hogmanay No-one quite brings in the New Year like the Scottish. Hogmanay
– the Scots name for 31 December – is celebrated throughout
the land, with Edinburgh’s famous street party being the most
popular Hogmanay destination. Celebrate the New Year with
live music, fireworks, a wee dram and, of course, a rendition
of Auld Lang Syne.
3. visit skyeA beautiful island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, Skye
boasts scenery that will truly take your breath away. Skye’s
picturesque backdrop has featured in many UK and American
films and the locals love to show visitors around their island.
It also has a rich arts heritage; look out for traditional folk and
music festivals taking place throughout the year.
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Image: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
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weeK In the lIfe of an rcs student
It might seem like a cliché to say no week is the same as another, but at rcs, this statement rings true. we followed final year Ba modern Ballet student stefanos dimoulas for one week to find out exactly what an average week of studying here looks like.
mondayMondays are always busy days. Not only do I have ballet
and jazz lessons at the Wallace Studios, but I take advantage
of learning in a conservatoire and also study piano in the
afternoon, with piano tutor, Ed Cohen. I would definitely say
my dancing is better than my piano skills at the moment,
but it all helps with my musicality!
tuesday Rehearsing for Bridge Week performance. I’m working with
other dancers and musical theatre students. This photograph
was taken as we were trying out different costumes and
looks for the camera.
wednesdayOff to the Theatre Royal today to watch Scottish Ballet’s
The Nutcracker, featuring five dancers from RCS.
Beautiful performance.
thursday I’m taking part in a creative collaboration between the
Piano and Dance departments in RCS – we’re using Romeo
and Juliet as our theme; this image is taken from the piece I
choreographed on the Montagues and Capulets.
frIdayToday is a rehearsal for the graduation showcase. This will
be my last performance at RCS and we’ll perform in the New
Athenaeum Theatre. This picture (to the left) is from one of
the contemporary pieces of the show.
saturdayEarly flight this morning to Amsterdam with two of
my classmates, Moritz and Ellie. We’re auditioning for
Nederlands Dans Theater 2 (NDT2) and we took this
photograph just as we arrived in the city. An exciting
end to a rather busy week!
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pETRICA
CIoBANU
you have won a lot of competitions – both here at rcs and at international competitions. how do you deal with performing at such a high level? what’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Whether a concert or a competition, I always try to remember
that the most important thing is to stay true to the music.
Somehow, that keeps me focused and ready and the
adrenaline of each event puts me on my mettle.
Every opportunity is valuable in its own way but I think the
highlight so far has been when I was selected by the famous
pianist lang lang as one of only ten soloists for his Massed
Piano event at the Royal Festival Hall in 2011. I played one of
my favourite Silvestri pieces and it gave me the chance to
play in front of 3,000 people in the prestigious venue.
what advice would you give an aspiring musician who was thinking about applying to study here at rcs?
The best advice is to come and see RCS for themselves or
spend time talking to current students. I would recommend
it to anyone who is looking for a nurturing study experience
which encourages performance development as a priority.
you’ve got another year left of your studies here; what do you hope to do in this time and after you graduate?
Currently, between concerts, I am preparing for my entry
into three of the world’s toughest piano competitions which
will begin in summer next year. Glasgow is the perfect place
for me to tap into the expertise of my teachers and hone my
performance skills to be ready for such an important challenge.
I am aiming high and I know everyone here will support
me which is very reassuring.
mmus pianist petrica is the first rcs student to win both rcs concerto competitions. we spoke to petrica about his studies at rcs and how he finds living in glasgow.
you started your studies here in 2010 on the Bmus programme. what were your first impressions of rcs and living in glasgow?
I first remember being very impressed by the facilities and
the training on offer. I was also instantly struck by how
welcoming and supportive everyone is here. I felt like I fitted
in from the very beginning. I love the cultural diversity of
Glasgow. It is such an exciting and vibrant place to be.
what do you enjoy most about your masters course?
Thanks to the RCS piano competition last year, I recently
had the chance to play with the RCS Orchestra as part of
the Danzmayr the Sorcerer concert with david danzmayr,
and it was a fabulous opportunity. Importantly, as well as the
excellent performance opportunities, there is time to focus
on practising and polishing my overall performance skills.
My two teachers are extremely dedicated and RCS also
organises some excellent masterclasses led by renowned
visiting teachers.
can you tell us what an average day as a postgraduate student is like?
Well, my performance schedule is pretty busy so I
spend most of my time rehearsing or learning repertoire.
I’m not at all a morning person, so I tend to practise from
approximately 10am until 9pm. Luckily, RCS is open until
late and during the day at weekends. I also have a piano
lesson with my teacher aaron shorr every week, a weekly
group theory seminar, and many other opportunities to
receive important feedback on my concert and competition
repertoire from my teachers and peers.
tell us a bit about your tutors at rcs. what support do they give you in your studies? Is there any advice they’ve given you that’s really stuck with you?
My regular teachers are aaron shorr and norman Beedie.
They are both very experienced and dedicated. The best
advice they’ve given me is to bring musical passion to
everything I do without allowing that passion to overwhelm
the music especially during a performance. On a more
practical note, they have also given me really crucial advice
about the importance of organising myself efficiently which
is something I used to struggle with.
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“I always try to remember that the most important thing is to stay true to the music. Somehow, that keeps me focused and ready and the adrenaline of each event puts me on my mettle.”
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KENNETH
MACLEoD
now that your design is in the process of being created, how have you been collaborating with the various departments and what is it like seeing your vision brought to life?
Musical theatre is such an intense medium, it’s vital that the
design works alongside the performers in every way possible.
For example, I’ve been working with the costume department
and the choreographer, to ensure that the footwear works
for the performers and for the “look” of the show, as well as
working with my colleagues in the construction workshop
to make sure all the set pieces are capable of high-octane
dancing and staging.
It’s a strange experience having the design in your mind
and your sketchbooks for six months or so, and then sharing
it with the production artists, stage managers, technicians
and performers – it’s very surreal seeing it brought to
life on stage.
what work placements have you undertaken within the industry?
Some of my external work experience has seen me work
with Eden Court Theatre, in my hometown of Inverness, as
well as with Glasgow-based theatre company Vox Motus.
Glasgow is very much the creative centre of Scotland,
and being at RCS feels like being at the epicentre of it all.
Everyone always knows someone, who knows someone,
who is doing what you want to do – so keeping in contact
with the industry is never a stretch.
Glasgow is so vibrant, particularly for a designer, it’s never
hard to find relevant work. From visual art, to production
design on television and film, everything’s on your doorstep.
My fellow students have worked on commercial theatre,
feature films, national television and on international
concert tours, and this is all long before even graduating.
what advice would you give people who are thinking about applying to study production at rcs?
For the Production Arts and Design course, RCS is looking
for people who have a clear and defined passion.
The most frequent thing I see is prospective students
clamming up with nerves at their interview – try your
hardest not to do this and keep your curiosity and passion
for the arts flowing and make sure the panel sees what
you are capable of.
Kenneth is a third year production arts and design student, specialising in set and costume design. here he talks about why he chose to study production and his recent project – designing the set for the musical theatre production of West Side Story in the new athenaeum theatre.
you specialise in set and costume design; why did you decide to focus on this area?
I enjoy the process of taking a text and deciphering it, and
that experimental period of playing with models and sketches
and exploring the possibilities of how best a story can be
told. I also enjoy how much it brings you into collaboration
with all of the other production departments, and how
much you’re constantly learning from that interaction.
can you take us through what a typical day is like as a production student?
Every day is very different. If you are a Production Arts student,
a normal day will consist of you working in the workshops at
the Wallace Studios, but as a design student, you could be in
the design studio making a model, meeting with a director
or searching for props for a DFTV collaboration on the other
side of town; the course is what you make of it, and it can
lead you to doing all sorts.
you recently pitched your set design idea to andrew panton (artistic director of musical theatre) for West Side Story. can you tell us about the creative process that led to your idea and what it was like pitching your vision?
The idea really came from a desire to breathe new life into
West Side Story – to go back to the original material, disregard
all previous approaches and really try to get to the core of what
the show is, and how that could be explored in its aesthetic.
I listened to a lot of the music that inspired Bernstein, and
did in-depth research into the Upper West Side in New York
and the sorts of areas and environments that the gangs of
West Side might skulk around in.
With the help of another third-year student, a lighting
designer robbie Butler, we pitched our idea to Andrew and
the Musical Theatre department. It was a nerve-wracking
experience, but fortunately they loved it.
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“Glasgow is so vibrant, particularly for a designer, it’s never hard to find work. From visual art, to production design on television and film, everything’s on your doorstep.”
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GLASWEGIAN
SpIRIT
Glasgow has something to offer every individual. And if
you know where to look, you can find an outlet to channel
your energies. From a performance at the Royal Concert
Hall, art in the Kelvingrove Museum, a movie at Cineworld,
buskers on Sauchiehall Street, a walk along the Clyde, a foodie
paradise in the Merchant City, reading a book in the GOMA
cafe, or just sitting down and enjoying a ‘wee’ bit of sun at
Glasgow Green. Ceilidh dancing is my favourite part of any
party or function. And no matter how wet the weather is,
you’re sure to bump into a sunny smile at every street
corner from the locals.
Outside of Glasgow, walking on a beach, surrounded by
hills blanketed in heather, feeling the rain on my face and
looking at the Highland ‘coos’ (from a safe distance!) sums up
my visits to the Scottish highlands and islands. The natural
beauty of this country reflects in the hearts of its people.
During my time here I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the
2014 Commonwealth Games and witness the independence
referendum; both of these huge events made me realise how
special it is when young people work together. As the current
Vice-President of the Students’ Union, I want to share what
this lovely city has to offer by bringing about a more holistic
interaction between students at RCS and in the various
other educational institutions of Glasgow.
Coming to Scotland is the best decision I’ve ever made.
The true Glaswegian spirit, according to me, is found in the
acceptance that I’ve received from everybody I’ve met here.
Like others, I too have plans for my future but, whether I stay
in Glasgow or not, I know that this Glaswegian spirit will
remain in my heart for years to come.
International student ankna arockiam travelled from India to study at rcs. she writes about what it’s like to be an international student in glasgow and what it is about the city that’s made her an honorary glaswegian.
I was first introduced to what life would be like at the
Royal Conservatoire by my cello teacher at the KM Music
Conservatory in Chennai, India, whose mother had studied
at RSMAD, as the Royal Conservatoire used to be known.
I still remember the day when I sat at Hyderabad airport and
the screen in the lounge twinkled departures to Glasgow;
I couldn’t stop smiling because I knew my dream of
studying at RCS was finally turning into a reality.
The first few weeks passed in a blur, but memories of the
international student pick-up, my first chippy on Buchanan
Street, the crazy trips as I found my way from the Liberty
Halls to the main campus for classes and back, and Freshers’
Week fortnight still remain vividly etched in my head. But,
it would be most unfair, if I fail to mention that symbiotic
quality that embraces this city of music. I have had the
privilege of experience and embracing the two musical
sides of Glasgow - the real, urban tones of the Glasgow city
soundtrack and the classical, melodious notes that echo
along the RCS corridors. This is a city that really does
love music.
The School of Music exposes the students by giving them
access to free performances at RCS and across the city;
additionally I have had the opportunity to sing with various
choirs and performed across venues like the Old Fruitmarket,
City Halls, and Royal Concert Hall amongst others.
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“Coming to Scotland is the best decision I’ve ever made. The true Glaswegian spirit is found in the acceptance I’ve received from everybody I’ve met here.”
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from £5,480 for one academic yearPrices at Liberty House start from around £5,480 for a single
en-suite in a self-catered residence to around £7,760 for a studio
flat. Please note, these prices are for 2015; for up-to-date prices
please go to: libertyliving.co.uk
Your rent includes:
| All utility bills
| Personal contents insurance
| Internet access
To book your student accommodation for Liberty House
please contact: accommodation@rcs.ac.uk and we will assist
you with your booking directly.
private accommodationIf you would prefer to arrange your own accommodation,
there is a wide range of flats and rooms for students provided
by the private sector. The Private Accommodation Database
(PAD) at glasgowpad.org is a good place to start looking.
student accommodationIn total, there are 130,000 students in Glasgow, and the city
has lots of accommodation for students on offer. With so many
choices, including our own student residence, you’ll find it easy
to find the right place for your budget and preferences.
You can apply to stay at our student residence, Liberty House.
Just next to George Square and less than a 10-minute walk
from the Renfrew Street campus, Liberty House is perfectly
located for our students. At the other side of Liberty House
is the lively Merchant City, which is full of cafés, restaurants,
bars, art spaces and the BBC SSO. Liberty House also welcomes
students from other local universities so it’s a great way to make
friends quickly. As it’s in the very heart of Glasgow, there are
excellent local shops and amenities right on your doorstep
including rail stations connecting to the rest of the UK, only a
few minutes away.
facilities at liberty house
| All accommodation has en-suite showers,
toilets and washbasins
| WiFi included and data point access at a
minimum speed of 24MB
| Television points
| Single and double study bedrooms share a
fully-fitted kitchen area
| Studio apartments are self-contained
with their own kitchen
| 24-hour security
| Comprehensive CCTV coverage
| Manned reception 24/7
| On-site management team
| Pastoral care
| On-site maintenance and housekeeping team
| 24-hour laundry
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accommodatIon counsellingIf you experience stress and anxiety at any time during your
studies with us, you can access our professional counselling
service.
A counsellor doesn’t give you advice or tell you what you should
do; counselling is a process for exploring issues so you can
reach your own decisions on the way forward.
For more information go to: rcs.ac.uk/studentsupport
disabled studentsWe welcome applications from all people with disabilities
support needs. Many of our students have disabilities, e.g.
medical conditions, specific learning difficulties and unseen
disabilities. Our staff are proficient in teaching people with a
range of learning styles and are committed to promoting the
development of independent learning skills. You’ll find RCS
is a very supportive and encouraging place to learn.
For more information go to: rcs.ac.uk/studentsupport
effective learning serviceAccelerate your growth and development at any point in your
learning journey by strengthening your study skills with our
Effective Learning Service. It’s flexible, free and confidential,
and ranges from one-to-one appointments and workshops to
online support. Our inclusive approach is designed to meet
your specific needs.
topics include:
| Improving the quality of your written assignments
| Referencing
| Critical thinking
| Managing your time
| Reading strategies and note-making
| Revision and exam techniques
For more information, please send an email to: els@rcs.ac.uk
champions of equality and diversityWe welcome a diverse population of students and staff.
We believe that excellence can be achieved through recognising
and celebrating the value of every individual, and are committed
to promoting equality in all of our activities.
We are committed to equality of opportunity both as an
educational institution and as an employer.
Equality of opportunity means striving to ensure that no student
or member of staff receives less favourable treatment on the
grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and
civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, actual or
perceived religion or belief, sex and actual or perceived sexual
orientation.
students’ unionOnce you become a student at RCS, you automatically become
a member of the Students’ Union. We’re here for you, and to
represent you. Our goal is to continually improve the student
experience, so when you speak, we listen.
Naturally, at the Students’ Union we’re also about having a
good time! We organise a range of events throughout the
academic year starting with Freshers’ Week and ending with
the Summer Ball.
For more information go to: rcs.ac.uk/studentunion
student supportFrom the moment you arrive to the day you leave, you can
receive practical, emotional, and learning support from us; we
nurture the whole person at RCS. Any time you need, you can
use our formal services and every day you’ll feel a tangible
sense of support in our friendly community.
RCS is a very special and inclusive place, and one where, we
are sure, you will flourish and rise to the many challenges
and intensive demands of your programme.
For more information go to: rcs.ac.uk/studentsupport
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student well-BeIng
“Most gay friendly conservatoire in the UK.”Stonewall, 2013
“We’re here for you and to represent you. Our goal is to continually improve the student experience, so when you speak, we listen.”Students’ Union
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our graduates work. they work all over the globe in a range of occupations with national companies, educational institutions or forging their own professional performing careers or establishing their own companies.
It’s impossible to list the full range of our graduates’ accomplishments. Here are just a few examples of some recent graduates who have already achieved successful careers.
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LIFE
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James mcavoyAlumnus, Class of 2000
Kevin guthrie actor
Kevin graduated from the BA Acting programme in 2011
and has been working in the industry consistently ever
since, earning starring roles in movies Sunshine on Leith
and Sunset Song, and BBC shows Two Doors Down
and The Paradise.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have had a wide range of work
within the first few years since graduating. Working on
Sunshine on Leith was an incredible experience; it was my
first experience of filming on such a cinematic scale and the
exposure that comes as a result of that. I loved the people,
the cast, the crew, the director – everyone! We created a very
special bond and that, I think, is why it has translated into
such an enjoyable film experience.
I’m currently working with Robert ‘Bobby’ Carlyle (another
RCS alumnus) on Barney Thomson. Bobby was very kind
about my work and asked to speak to me about the potential
of working on the film - and of course I jumped at the
opportunity. Working alongside Bobby, Ray Winstone and
Emma Thompson on this film is a dream come true. I am able
to just soak up all of their experience and expertise and apply
what I feel is right for developing my own craft.
Scotland is financing and producing more films and television
programmes than ever before, now is a brilliant time to
be a graduate!”
To read a full article with Kevin, go online to
rcs.ac.uk/kevinguthrie
laura margaret smith scottish opera emerging artist
Laura Margaret Smith (pictured far left) graduated in 2013
after studying MMus (Performance) and MMus (Opera).
Since graduating Laura has been accepted onto the prestigious
Scottish Opera Emerging Artists programme.
“As an Emerging Artist you get to cover lots of different areas
within Scottish Opera. I’ve had performance roles, understudy
roles, and worked as part of the chorus on different productions.
As a young singer starting out in my professional career, this
is the best start. One of my favourite projects so far has been
Verdi’s Macbeth where I was one of the three witches.
The production toured all over Scotland. I always remember
Sir Thomas Allen, Scottish Opera’s Music Advisor, telling me,
‘You are so lucky. Doing a national tour is the very best
training for a young singer. You’ve got a different audience
every night so you need adapt to your environment, and
react immediately to them each time you perform.’
His words stayed with me throughout the tour and he
was right, I learnt so much from that experience.
I currently work with Patricia MacMahon, who gives
masterclasses on the RCS summer school programme. If I had
to pick just one great thing about her, and it is hard to pick
just one, it would be her encouraging outlook and attitude to
everyone. She teaches everyone, from young kids just starting
to learn about singing to the big stars of the professional
world like Lisa Milne. I’m really honoured to have her
as my teacher.”
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graeme Brown associate principal Bassoonist for BBc scottish symphony orchestra
As a former member of the Junior Conservatoire and as a
BMus and MMus graduate, Graeme has a long history with
RCS which began when he was at high school. Graeme is
now Associate Principal Bassoonist for the BBC Scottish
Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly in Scotland
and across the world.
“The training I received at every stage was first rate, and the
facilities were equally great. There were so many playing
opportunities inside and outside of the Royal Conservatoire
which I took full advantage of. Orchestral training schemes
arranged through RCS were by far the best thing for me;
through these I began freelancing at the age of 19. Just after I
graduated a job was advertised in the BBC SSO.
After a three-year trial, I was appointed Associate Principal
Bassoon. It is amazing to work in a fantastic orchestra which
plays such a wide variety of repertoire in lots of different
settings. I also have the advantage of not having to move
from my adopted hometown, Glasgow!”
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thomas J. Baylis dancer
Dancer Thomas J. Baylis graduated in 2012 as part of the first
graduating year of the BA Modern Ballet programme at RCS.
Since graduating, Thomas has worked extensively in the UK
and abroad. Some of his projects include choreographing
My Shrinking Life with the National Theatre of Scotland,
directing movement pieces for A Doll’s House at the Royal
Lyceum, and working with Ashley Page at Glyndebourne.
Most recently, Thomas performed in Scottish Opera’s
Orfeo ed Euridice.
“The BA Modern Ballet programme technically prepared me
to be a dancer so I felt ready to graduate and start work – but
the other way it prepared me for my career was in the variety
of projects I was able to get involved in – it meant that I was
quite happy outside of my comfort zone!
For me, one of the great things about RCS is that you develop
other interests, you build friendships with other artists and
you see yourself in a broader ecosystem. RCS is an amazing
place where you can go and see theatre, dance and film –
all in the one place for free!”
RCS students get one free ticket to all student performances.
To find out more about what’s on each season, go to
rcs.ac.uk/boxoffice
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LAURA
DoNNELLY
you’ve recently worked with fellow rcs alumnus sam heughan on Outlander. what was it like working with someone you’d trained with previously?
Sam is a great guy. He was the year above me in drama
school and was incredibly hard working. That has definitely
continued through to now – he’s professional and a really
lovely guy to everyone, and that’s exactly what you want
from other actors on a set.
do you keep in touch with other alumni?
Yes, many of them. My best friends are some of the people I
studied with at drama school. My year was particularly close
and most of us have stayed in touch regularly.
what are your best memories from studying at rcs?
For me it was about the people. Suddenly discovering friends
and tutors who thought the same way as me, had the same
values, the same goals; I felt so at home. It’s an incredibly
supportive atmosphere. Most of my favourite memories
are of just being amongst friends in the corridors. And I
can still cry with laughter at some of things that went
wrong during productions!
what are your top tips for recent graduates?
Work really hard. It will make all the difference. Whatever
it is – an audition, a job you’ve landed, writing your own
material - give it everything you’ve got. Don’t rely on luck,
or natural talent. Hard work will pay off.
do you get much time to see other plays/films? what should we be watching?
I go to theatre a lot (when I’m not doing theatre) – the last
thing I saw that blew me away was alan cumming (another
RCS alumnus) in Cabaret in New York. In London I adored
the recent revival of The Weir by conor mcpherson. I don’t
watch a lot of TV but I always make sure I catch up on
The Good Wife. The performances in that are incredible.
what’s next for you?
I’m continuing in The River until it finishes in February and
then probably some more Outlander next year.
laura donnelly studied Ba acting at rcs, graduating in 2009. originally from northern Ireland, laura now lives in america, working in tv and theatre. we caught up with laura in new york where she’s currently making her Broadway debut alongside hugh Jackman in The River to find out more about life after her drama training.
you’re currently starring on Broadway in The River and you’ve received excellent reviews. what attracted you to this role and what have you learnt from working alongside Broadway regular, hugh Jackman?
I was first attracted to the role because it was written by
Jez Butterworth. I had seen Jerusalem and was blown away
by it and I knew that whatever he had to say next was going
to be very exciting. The River turned out to be a beautifully
written, poetic piece and I fell in love with it. Secondly was
the fact that Ian rickson was directing. Ian is one of the
most respected directors in British theatre, and with good
reason. As for Hugh – he’s an amazing human being as well
as an incredible actor. He’s thrilling to share a stage with
because he always brings something fresh and yet still
truthful to each performance. But just as importantly, he is
a wonderful person to work with in general. He is kind
and considerate to everyone he meets and he gives
100% to everything he does.
performing in such a high profile theatre role and living in new york is an aspiration for many actors and for rcs students. what are some of your highlights from the past few months?
The job itself has been the greatest highlight – to work with
such an incredible team on a brilliant play is as good as it gets.
Broadway has a buzz about it that is unlike any other theatre
scene in the world and the audiences are so responsive and
enthusiastic. Getting to know New York a lot better and getting
to meet a few heroes along the way has, of course, been a
joy too.
you’ve done a lot of interesting projects both on stage and screen, which do you prefer and why?
I definitely prefer stage – that relationship with a live
audience can’t be beaten. It’s incredibly intense and exciting
to be in a room full of people, telling a story and feeling the
reaction from them. And there is so much opportunity to
play around, try things out and explore the text. You never
know what any given show is going to be like.
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“For me it was about the people. Suddenly discovering friends and tutors who thought the same way as me, had the same values, the same goals; I felt so at home.”
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mary Brennan, The Herald
“the dancers all deliver the same, confident statement through the elegant rigours of classical technique: ‘this is who we are, this is what we do.’ ”
nicolas Blanc delivering a masterclass to Ba modern Ballet students.
programme structure
year one Your first year of training is focused on developing a sound
technical and artistic basis in both classical ballet and contemporary
dance. This grounding will be enhanced by supporting subjects
such as pilates, pas de deux, pointework, virtuosity and contextual
studies. In repertoire classes, work is drawn from the Romantic era.
You will end your first year with a performance in the final year
students’ graduation showcase.
year two In second year, you will focus on building upon the skills learned
in first year. Choreography and choreographic collaboration are
introduced, offering you the opportunity to work with other
departments on the creation of a new work. In repertoire, you will
gain skills as a solo performer (in both ballet and contemporary)
including learning works from the classics.
year three Third year is a year of refinement of individual strengths and
preparation for auditions for professional employment. You will
have the opportunity to work with Scottish Ballet in Company
class, gaining invaluable professional experience. You will develop
an area of personal interest through individual projects, and your
training will culminate in a graduation performance.
Ba modern Ballet in partnership with
three years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/ballet
head of modern Ballet: Kerry Livingstone
This undergraduate programme is designed to help you build a
robust classical technique and prepare you for the profession
as a confident, versatile and technically strong dancer. You will
graduate with the skills required by professional ballet companies
as well as the ability to communicate effectively with an audience
through the performance of a wide variety of classical, modern,
and contemporary choreography.
The course is delivered in conjunction with Scottish Ballet and
provides numerous opportunities, allowing you to gain invaluable
insight into professional life. You will work regularly with Scottish
Ballet staff and dancers, and internationally acclaimed teachers and
choreographers. You will also have the opportunity to participate
in performances or placements.
We are the only UK conservatoire to offer all of the performance art
specialisms and are dedicated to enabling, and encouraging you to
work collaboratively to expand your artistic horizons. You might find
yourself performing on film for our screen students, choreographing
a piece with our composers, or on stage at one of Scotland’s major
theatres.
Our facilities are among the best in Europe and feature state-of-
the-art dance studios and professional venues, as well as a whole
range of other facilities to support you.
You will take part in performance opportunities, within a variety
of environments and contexts, further enhancing the breadth of
vocational education, and your employability. We aim to train you
to be versatile and adept across a variety of styles to prepare you
for work both in the UK and internationally.
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application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: 201F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 15 January 2016 (UK/EU)
or 31 March 2016 (overseas).
academic entry requirements
| Passes in five National 5s or equivalent such as Standard
Grades (Grade 1-3) or Intermediate 1 or 2 or
| Five GCSE (Grades A*-C) or equivalent or
| Recognised equivalences
| Knowledge of ballet vocabulary to a minimum of
Intermediate level
| Appropriate physical qualities for a career in
professional classical dance
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in all parts.
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email danceadmissions@rcs.ac.uk for
more information.
why choose us?
| Delivered in partnership with Scottish Ballet
| Small class sizes
| World-class facilities
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Opportunities for artistic collaboration across RCS
| Opportunity to complete the Royal Academy of Dance
internationally-recognised vocational
graded examinations
| Compete in various international competitions
including the Genée International Ballet competition
during study
graduate destinations
Our graduating students have been contracted to a range of
renowned companies, including Scottish Ballet, Northern Ballet,
Joffrey Ballet Apprenticeship, Geneva Junior Ballet, National Dance
Company of Wales Apprenticeship, Universal Ballet Korea, David
Hughes Dance Company, Vienna Festival Ballet, the National
Theatre of Scotland and FX Saldy Dance Theatre.
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DRAMA
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83% of drama graduates are in employment or further study. (hesa, 2012/13)
year two You will build on your exploration of Shakespeare by delivering
workshops in schools before rehearsing and performing a
Shakespeare play. You will continue to develop your screen and
radio technique, and explore new theatre work with established
writers and directors. You are given the opportunity to work in
collaboration with fellow students to explore new and devised
work in our new work festival On the Verge at The Arches theatre.
A series of workshops will allow you to advance your movement
skills in physical theatre and mask. You will undertake a professional
practice module which will introduce you to the world of working
as an actor.
year three You will have the opportunity to work on main stage productions,
a Christmas pantomime and a screen project. You may also benefit
from various professional opportunities from one of our many
industry contacts. You will perform in a professional showcase,
which will be seen by a mix of employers, casting directors,
agents, managers and producers. You will continue to develop
your employability and entrepreneurial skills ensuring that on
graduating you are well equipped to manage your career as a
professional actor.
why choose us?
| Industry showcases in Glasgow, London and New York
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Our movement specialists are trained in Lecoq technique
| Specialist voice training using the Nadine George technique
| Unrivalled professional connections result in work
opportunities for our students
| Collaborative professional partnerships include the
BBC and the National Theatre of Scotland
| Participate in several national competitions including
Spotlight Showcase, The Sam Wanamaker Festival,
The Carleton Hobbs Radio Drama Award, The Gielgud
Award and The Laurence Olivier Award Bursary
| Partnership with BBC Scotland to allow students to
work with BBC producers and on sets
| European and international exchange opportunities
during study
Ba acting
three years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/acting
head of acting: Joyce Deans
We are looking for students with outstanding commitment and
potential who are dedicated to a performing career. You will work
intensively on building your skills to a level that will bring you to the
forefront of emerging actors in film, television and theatre today.
You will receive all the necessary conservatoire education to ensure
you have a comprehensive and practical understanding of acting,
voice and movement. When you graduate, you will have experience
of working in all acting genres, including screen and radio, and an
outstanding CV packed with performing credits. You will have the
unique opportunity to study and work with professionals from
Scotland, the UK, Europe and further afield. Our acting showcases,
held in Glasgow and London, are attended by agents, casting
directors and employers. An additional showcase is held in New
York for our North American students. Your final show of third
year will also be performed in both Glasgow and London.
Our unrivalled professional connections put you at the heart of
performance in Scotland and they include BBC Scotland, the
National Theatre of Scotland, Citizens Theatre, Tron Theatre
and The Royal Lyceum.
programme structure
year one You will explore the three main disciplines of acting, voice and
movement. In acting you will investigate character, narrative,
relationships and actions. In voice, you will develop your technique,
and work on accents, dialects and vocal health. In movement you
will set solid foundations for a balanced and free use of your body,
and take classes in dance, acrobatics and Alexander Technique.
You will take classes in theatre history and reflective practice, and
begin work on collaborating with other first years from across RCS.
You will also have classes in screen and radio technique, and be
introduced to Shakespeare.
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application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: W410
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 15 January 2016 (UK/EU)
or 31 March 2016 (overseas).
academic entry requirements
| Scottish Higher – three passes or
| Scottish Advanced Higher – two passes or
| A-level – two passes or
| International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24
with three subjects at Higher level or
| Recognised equivalences
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
recent highlights
| In 2014 all of the graduating students had secured agent
representation, offers of work, or in many cases, both
| Current student daniel cahill and recent graduate
sarah higgins performed in the National Theatre’s
The James Plays to sold out audiences in Edinburgh
and London
| New exchange programme from 2014 with the
Paris Conservatoire
| International touring productions including performances
in Taiwan, St Petersburg and Warsaw
graduate destinations
Our graduates work in all aspects of the performance industry,
primarily as professional actors in theatre, film, television and
radio – both in the UK and internationally. Several household names
have studied with us including James mcavoy, david tennant
and alan cumming.
More recent graduates are also taking the industry by storm. Here are
just a few of our very recent graduates to look out for:
| crystal clarke (2013) cast in Star Wars: Episode VII –
The Force Awakens
| Jack lowden (2011) won ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role’
for Ghosts at the 2014 Olivier Awards
| Brian vernel (2013) starred in the ITV mini-series Prey and
will shortly be seen in the TV adaptation of JK Rowling’s
The Casual Vacancy
| adam newington (2014) performed in the Royal
Shakespeare Company and National Theatre of Scotland’s
Dunsinane and at the Sam Wannamaker Festival at the Globe
Festival alongside fellow alumna mira askelund (2014)
| cameron crighton and martin donaghy (2014) awarded
Citizens Theatre internship 2014/2015
| millie turner (2014) awarded Dundee Rep internship
2014/2015
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year three
The emphasis is on the researching artist. You will learn how to
create text for performance, supported through individual mentoring
by a performance tutor. You will study the ‘researching artist’
culminating in a dissertation exploring an idea relevant to your
own performance practice. You will also undertake a professional
placement in Glasgow and create an original collaborative performance.
year four
In your final year you will work towards developing a sustainable
arts practice that will support your transition into your chosen
professional field. You will make an original performance work
for the Into The New festival at The Arches. You will have the
opportunity to select projects which focus on directing, arts in
participatory contexts, arts in criminal justice settings, site-specific
work or an international professional secondment.
why choose us?
| Excellent staff-student ratio and small class sizes
ensuring individual attention
| Opportunities for artistic collaboration across RCS
| World-class facilities and performing venues
| Emphasis on preparing you for diverse careers in
professional practice
| Work opportunities within the programme include
performance and professional collaborations with national
and international cutting-edge practitioners, companies,
festivals and arts venues. Recent projects have included
work with The Arches, Imaginate, National Theatre of
Scotland, Glas(s) Performance, Tramway, Buzzcut, Corali,
Ruth Mills Dance, Caroline Bowditch and Nic Green
Ba contemporary performance practice (honours)
four years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/cpp
head of performance pedagogy: Deborah Richardson-Webb
This programme is for the rebel performer. People who are:
| critical
| experimental
| theoretical
| politically aware
| techno savvy
| angry
| tender
| bold
programme structure
year one
The focus is on the ego-centric artist: you will learn about the
methods and strategies of making performance using autobiography
as your material. You are encouraged to question your attitudes,
values and understandings and translate these discoveries into
original performance work.
year two
You will explore how to apply your arts practice in social and
participatory contexts including community and education settings.
You will take part in a residency within a community which will
result in an original piece of performance work.
This stage of the programme focuses on your development as a
socio-centric artist and how you engage with other people.
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| radical
| impassioned
| compassionate
| collaborative
| open
| eco-centric
| a theatre-maker, musician,
dancer or visual artist
(inspired by Guillermo Gómez Peña)
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: W310
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 15 January 2016 (UK/EU)
or 31 March 2016 (overseas).
academic entry requirements
| Scottish Higher – three passes or
| Scottish Advanced Higher – two passes or
| A-level – two passes or
| International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24
with three subjects at Higher level or
| Recognised equivalences
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS) (if
applicable) level 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking
We welcome applications from artists from all disciplines
including theatre, music, dance and visual art
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
recent highlights
| Into the new, our sector-leading festival of new work
features international artists performing alongside
graduating students in our annual symposium event
| peter lannon (2013) was awarded a BBC Performing Arts
Fund Theatre Fellow in association with Imaginate
| leyla Josephine (2013) won the Hammer and Tongue
National Slam Poetry Award
| fK alexander (2014) has performed at renowned
performance festivals including Spill, Arches Live,
Buzzcut, Tempting Failure and Steakhouse Live
Industry links
The programme has many links with professional companies
and organisations who offer opportunities for students while
on the programme as well as employment opportunities after
graduation. These include: Imaginate, Tramway, Ankur Productions,
A Moment’s Peace, Cryptic, Random Accomplice, Glas(s) Performance,
21st Century Challenges, Buzzcut, Starcatchers, Sense Scotland,
Scottish Prison Service, The Lyceum Theatre, Platform and
Battersea Arts Centre.
graduate destinations
Our graduates are working as solo artists in the live arts sector;
directors and performers in devised, community, or educational
performance, and as freelance drama workers. A significant
number of graduates have set up their own companies. Other
graduates have undertaken further study at Masters and Doctoral
level.
alumni include Nic Green, Jess Thorpe, Tashi Gore, Peter
McMaster, Lou Brodie, Gary McNair, Rosana Cade, Liam Sinclair,
Josh Armstrong and Johnny McKnight, all of whom produce
performance work internationally and frequently teach or give
workshops at RCS.
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“Not only does this course allow you to discover what kind of artist you are, but also what kind of person you are. It challenges how you see everyday life, and encourages you to always be inquisitive.”
Daisy Douglas, CPP student
programme structure
The BA Performance degree will be a challenging learning
experience where you will benefit from the unique experience
and environment of RCS. Over the three years, you will study a
rich blend of performance modules, including visual performance,
theatre devising, improvisation, classical and contemporary acting,
as well as intense tuition in movement and text.
You will work alongside other specialisms at RCS, such as film-
making, to broaden your skillset and learning experiences.
In second year you will deliver Shakespeare in Schools workshops,
taking your craft and teaching drama pupils across Scotland.
As well as developing new work and creating public performance
pieces, your final year of study will include a showcase performance
and a touring production. This distinctive course will prepare you
for working in a professional setting and will encourage you to
undertake work placements and develop your industry contacts.
Ba performance in British sign language and english
Subject to validation
three years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/performance
Designed around the learning and teaching needs of the deaf
performer, this programme is unique in the UK. The content
has been developed in association with Solar Bear Theatre
Company with input from a range of theatre, educational and
deaf professionals. Our shared aim is to enrich the talent pool
within the UK, whilst making training available to deaf artists.
The working languages of the programme will be British Sign
Language (BSL) and spoken English. You will have fully qualified
BSL interpreters in class, on stage and in rehearsal.
You will develop skills in acting, movement, signing on stage,
improvisation and puppetry as well as explore highly visual and
physical performance styles. You will also work on specific projects
with students of other degrees.
The small class size ensures you will have the opportunity to
work closely with our teaching staff and visiting professionals.
You will benefit from our many collaborative and professional
partnerships.
We will teach you the skills you need to prepare you for a career
in film, television, theatre and more.
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application details
Apply directly to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
This programme runs every three years. The first cohort
begins in September 2015 and after this we will begin to
accept applications for study in 2018/19.
For more information please visit rcs.ac.uk/performance
or email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
academic entry requirements
There are no academic entry requirements. All applicants will be
asked to state if their first language is BSL or English as part of the
application form. This will be evaluated further by the audition/
interview panel. Applicants will be sent tasks before their audition/
interview, with at least three weeks to prepare.
why choose us?
| The only degree of its kind in the UK
| RCS is the UK’s Centre of Excellence for the training
of deaf performers
| Jenny Sealey MBE is programme patron
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Opportunities for artistic collaboration across RCS
| Industry showcases
| Unrivalled professional connections including Solar Bear,
the BBC and the National Theatre of Scotland
| Develop invaluable industry contacts via professional
placement opportunities
graduate destinations
The goal of the BA Performance in BSL and English is to prepare
you to be a working professional. We expect the first graduates
of the programme to work in theatre, television, film, education
and community contexts.
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“The work that Solar Bear have been doing with RCS is fantastic; it’s necessary, this opportunity is fundamental. We are hungry to see our language represented on stage.”Jenny Sealey MBE
Ba musical theatre
three years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/musicaltheatreug
artistic director of musical theatre: Andrew Panton
The BA Musical Theatre programme offers practical, high level
vocational education for exceptionally talented students who
are dedicated to becoming highly skilled and employable
professional artists. We are unique as we offer quadruple-threat
conservatoire level tuition in acting, singing, dance and music.
We offer an extraordinary combination of world-class facilities,
professional connections, and opportunities for collaboration,
at a level and intensity that’s not available elsewhere. You will
train as a truly multi-disciplinary artist, so you will need to
demonstrate high level acting, singing, and dance ability, as well
as additional instrumental skills.
You need to be eager to perform, ambitious, intellectually agile,
and a fantastic communicator with a story to tell. You will spend
time working with directors and writers on new musical theatre,
as well as traditional and contemporary productions.
You will work regularly with students from MA Musical Theatre,
and the other specialisms; our music students form the orchestra
of all of our major shows; production students provide all the
off-stage and backstage support, and as well as filming with our
screen students in our studios and on location, you may find
yourself on BBC production sets, with guidance and support
from BBC Scotland.
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programme structure
year one
Your contact and independent study time features core practical
skills in acting, music, dance and voice. Underpinning this
is a strong focus on your professional practice with theory,
research, reflection, professional development planning, song
and monologue portfolio development, personal marketing,
and collaborative practice and performance classes.
year two
Core skills classes and professional practice modules continue
to support new learning areas and project work including
collaborative instrumental labs, songwriting, producing and
budgeting, acting for media, musical theatre scenes and an
opportunity for public performances of devised musical theatre
work. You will also have opportunity to expand your learning
via choice modules offered across the RCS.
year three
The final year concentrates on developing your performance
experience, profile, marketing, audition techniques and industry
connections. Skills classes augment dedicated rehearsal process
for two main stage musicals (book and contemporary). You
have the opportunity for elective choice in actor musicianship
performance or other choice elements. Professional practice
modules continue to underpin your learning, with strong
emphasis on employment skills.
“We are unique as we offer quadruple-threat conservatoire level tuition in acting, singing, dance and music.”
why choose us?
| Industry showcases in Glasgow, London and New York
| Excellent industry connections
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Experienced staff who have worked, and are
still working, as directors, choreographers, composers
and performers in London’s West End, regional theatre,
film and television
| The opportunity to fully explore your creative skills.
Past students have had the opportunity to take roles
as musical directors and directors for external corporate
work; assisted guest creatives on Edinburgh Festival
Fringe productions; presented their own song or
composition material; produced their own work
at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
graduate destinations
Graduates are working in London’s West End, regional theatres,
film and television productions and with major companies
including the National Theatre of Scotland, Citizens Theatre,
Dundee Rep and the BBC. Following showcase, the majority
of our students are signed immediately by agents from the UK
and overseas.
You may have seen our recent graduates perform in: Avenue
Q (national tour), Warhorse (national tour), 39 Steps (West
End), Once (West End), Blood Brothers (national tour), Wicked
(West End), Spiderman (Broadway) and Let the Right One In
(Broadway).
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application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: 202F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 15 January 2016 (UK/EU)
or 31 March 2016 (overseas).
academic entry requirements
| Scottish Higher – three passes or
| Scottish Advanced Higher – two passes or
| A-level – two passes or
| International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24
with three subjects at Higher level or
| Recognised equivalences
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5
in speaking
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
programme structure
performance
| Dance, voice (spoken and individual singing and
repertoire lessons), acting and performance
| New musical development
| Fully produced performance of a public concert in
conjunction with the RCS Big Band
| Musical theatre scene study and performance
| Public performance of solo cabaret or
devised performance
| Full season of work produced at the Edinburgh
Festival Fringe; including a fully produced main
stage musical theatre production (previous productions
include Jerry Springer the Opera, Spring Awakening,
Company, The Addams Family, Urinetown, and Avenue Q)
and the performance of a brand new work developed
through the course of the year
musical directing
| Focused skills on keyboard, conducting and rehearsal
techniques, scoring and arranging, sound (keyboard
programming) and voice (vocal knowledge and
repertoire coaching)
| The development of new work in conjunction
with writers and a creative team
| Assistant Musical Director on three fully produced
BA Musical Theatre shows including a book musical,
a contemporary musical and an actor musician project
| MD of a fully produced public concert series in
conjunction with the RCS Big Band
| RCS Pantomime
| MD of a series of solo cabaret
| A variety of creative roles on a season of work produced
at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including a fully produced
main stage musical and new work (previous productions
include Jerry Springer the Opera, Spring Awakening,
Company, The Addams Family and the performances of
new work developed through the course of the year)
| Industry placement
| Showcase in Glasgow, London and the opportunity to
showcase in New York
ma musical theatre (performance), (musical directing) or (choreography)
one year, full-time rcs.ac.uk/musicaltheatrepg
artistic director of musical theatre: Andrew Panton
performance
The performance pathway is an intensive blend of high-level
vocational education and creative opportunities for students who
already have a related degree and/or performing experience.
As well as practical performance learning, we’ll equip you with
skills, knowledge and contacts for your professional career. The
programme is closely linked with the industry, and has been
developed with professional input, ensuring you acquire the
practical skills that employers are looking for. You will have a high
degree of one-to-one contact time, including individual voice and
singing tutorials with some of the finest singing teachers in the UK,
as well as training in acting, dance and music.
musical directing
(Full scholarships are available)
The musical directing pathway is designed to support the
development of skill base and the exploration of creative
thought for the musician with a passion for theatre. Through
specialised conservatoire training, specific attention will be
paid to grounding your keyboard and conducting skills, to
exploring scoring and arranging, keyboard programming and
vocal technique, all with a view to building the depth of process
needed in the varying environments relevant to musical theatre.
choreography
Musical theatre choreography is an ever-evolving creative role
within theatre and film, and one which has greatly changed over
the last 10 years. Industry practitioners have backgrounds in
ballet, contemporary, jazz, physical theatre and other movement-
based techniques.
This degree is the only one of its kind taught within a conservatoire
environment and you’ll benefit from learning alongside students
studying programmes in acting, modern ballet, music, opera,
contemporary performance practice, classical and contemporary
text, and digital film and television.
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musical directors
alan Bukowiecki, Book of Mormon, Chicago and Hair
(US national tour). andrea grody, Venice and Love’s Labour’s Lost
(New York). amy shackcloth, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK national tour). sarah de tute,
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK national tour).
lindsey miller, Fame (UK national tour). claire mcKenzie,
award-winning composer on various projects for Citizens
Theatre, Dundee Rep, Lyceum Edinburgh and founder of
Noisemaker music theatre company.
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires codes:
Performance: 703F
Musical Directing: 702F
Choreography: See website
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 30 April 2016.
academic entry requirements
An undergraduate degree, or international equivalent, in a
subject area relevant to the demands of the programme
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
choreography
| Skills-based modules to help you develop and
refine your skills
| Diversity of stylistic range to ensure you are a technical
and versatile choreographer
| Project work and industry-based placement
| Supported by an industry mentor
| Work as part of a creative team to synthesise all technical,
creative and professional skills through the rehearsal and
production of musical theatre work at the Edinburgh
Festival Fringe
why choose us?
| 92% of graduates are in employment or further study
(HESA, 2012/13)
| Industry showcases in Glasgow, London and New York
| Excellent industry connections
| Staff members are active multi-disciplinary artists
| Full season of work produced at the Edinburgh
Festival Fringe
| Regular masterclasses and workshops with industry
professionals including producers, directors, casting
directors, agents and performers (recent visitors include
sir cameron mackintosh, John Barrowman,
James Brining, david grindrod, Jemima levick,
Barbara dickson and dominic hill)
graduate destinations
All of our training is geared towards preparing you for a sustainable
and long lasting professional career. Graduates of the programme
are working around the world; in London’s West End, on Broadway,
on national and international tours, and for renowned Scottish
companies including the National Theatre of Scotland.
Here are some examples:
performers
John mclarnon, We Will Rock You and The Commitments
(West End). rebecca faulkenberry, Rock of Ages, Spiderman
and High School Musical (Broadway). scott garnham,
Les Misérables and I Can’t Sing (West End). aaron lee lambert,
Sister Act, Shrek and Urinetown (West End). robbie towns,
Legally Blonde and Transatlantic (West End). Keisha fraser,
Colour Purple and Book of Mormon (West End).
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programme structure
trimester one
You wil l start with exploring, creating, and developing
performance texts. If you’re a director, you will work with the
actors, participating in the practical classes to gain experience
in methodologies of voice, movement and acting. You will learn
about the processes of new writing and ensemble creation, as well
as learning how to get the most out of working collaboratively
with playwrights and other professional practitioners. You will
explore approaches to realism by working through scenes by
Chekhov. Halfway through the trimester, both actors and directors
will begin their journey into contemporary text, starting
with exploring scenes from existing plays by commissioned
playwrights. In the final month of this trimester, you will spend
an intensive month at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London,
being taught by Globe education tutors. This month culminates
with a performance on the iconic Globe stage.
trimester two
You will rehearse Shakespearean and/or Renaissance texts with
professional directors. Directing students will work as assistants
in this process and acting students will explore the rehearsal
process within the structure of a professional production, to
which the industry is invited to attend. There will be sessions
on entrepreneurialism, small company start-up, and networking,
with professional practitioners being invited here to share their
knowledge and experience. You will also complete your own
practice-led research project, and have the opportunity to
undertake a professional placement of your choice in line
with your future aspirations. Additionally, there will be the
opportunity for North American students to participate in a
New York showcase before the spring break.
trimester three
In the final trimester, the new plays, developed during the year
in collaboration with the commissioned playwrights, go into final
rehearsal and performance. At the Edinburgh Festival, you will
participate in specially selected discussions and workshops, as
well as seeing productions from around the world. Your year with
us will finish with industry showcases in Glasgow and London.
ma classical and contemporary text (acting) or (directing)
one year, full-time rcs.ac.uk/cct
head of classical and contemporary text: Mark Saunders
There are two strands to this programme – acting or directing –
with students working together as an ensemble throughout
the year. You will focus on two strands of theatre: classical
(Shakespeare and Renaissance) and contemporary (new writing).
There will be numerous opportunities to learn, experiment, and
collaborate in projects, performances, and rehearsals.
As part of your studies, you will complete a one-month residency
at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, developing your knowledge
and skills of working with classical text.
You will also spend time working on brand new work with some
of Scotland’s most talented writers in our collaboration with
Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland. These new plays are performed
in Glasgow to a public and professional audience in trimester
three.
You’ll end your studies here with industry showcases in Glasgow
and London. Through this programme, you will benefit from
unrivalled professional connections allowing you to develop
invaluable industry contacts. When you graduate, you will
have gained practical high-level experience of working in the
profession, as well as all-important contacts and the skills to
underpin your future career, including business, entrepreneurship,
and industry etiquette.
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watch MA Classical and Contemporary
Text students talk about their experience
studying at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre
during their month-long residency at
rcs.ac.uk/cct
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires codes:
Acting 700F
Directing 701F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 30 April 2016.
academic entry requirements
An undergraduate degree, or international equivalent, in a
subject area relevant to the demands of the programme
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
why choose us?
| Month-long residency at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
| Industry showcases in Glasgow, London and New York
| Fully-supported productions of Renaissance and
Jacobean works
| Work on new plays with commissioned
professional playwrights
| Close links with professional partners including the
National Theatre of Scotland, the Tron Theatre,
The Arches and Bard in the Botanics Festival
| Masterclasses and workshops with visiting artists
| Opportunities to create and perform original,
interdisciplinary, practice-led research
graduate destinations
Our graduates work as performers, directors, dramaturgs,
producers, writers, and teachers. Graduates have started
theatre companies; written, directed, produced and performed
shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Arches Live, Refugee
Week and Bard in the Botanics; and performed and helped
direct stage, film and television productions. Some of our
recent graduates include:
| lauren hurwood (actor, Northern Stage)
| gwendolen chatfield (actor, the Globe)
| tim evers (actor, Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh)
| vickie Beesley (actor/director, Terra Incognita
Theatre Company)
| michael-alan reid and angie Kay (actors/directors,
Cardboard Fox Theatre Company)
| Ishbel mcpharlane (actor and writer)
| stacy gould (actor and producer)
| riley madincea (film and theatre actor)
| amanda gaughan (director, NTS/Lyceum Theatre/
Dundee Rep)
| debbie hannan (assistant director, the Royal Court)
| phil Bartlett (assistant director, Theatre Royal, Plymouth)
| amy ludwigsen (director, Shakespeare in Door County)
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“Every day so far on the MA CCT course has been a revelation - it’s intensive and incredibly rewarding. It’s great to see yourself and your classmates flourishing in this exciting, challenging environment.”
Helen Katamba,
MA CCT student
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MUSIC
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Karen cargill, rcs alumna
“rcs gives you the tools necessary for pursuing a career…embrace all the art forms while you’re here – they will influence your performing in the future.”
programme structure
year one
The BMus programme ensures solid foundations with core
modules at the heart of the curriculum. As a BMus student, you
will continue to specialise in your principal study receiving 27 weeks
of 90-minute lessons in a one-to-one teaching capacity. This is
further contextualised through departmentally-led supporting
studies programmes. Other core subjects include: practical
musicianship, music in history, music in society, introduction to
collaborative practices and one core elective choice (either piano
skills, second study or complementary musical skills).
year two
In year two, core modules comprise principal study: Music in
History, Practical Musicianship and Music in Society. BMus Jazz
pathway students have slight variances (e.g. Performance of Jazz
History). In addition, the introduction of choice modules occurs
at this stage. Choice modules are offered across RCS, allowing
you to experiment with your own artistic practice and to learn
from other disciplines.
We currently have over 40 choice modules on offer including
production, external work-based learning and leadership. Some
of our most popular choice modules are Kodály Musicianship,
Alexander Technique, Arts Leadership and Fundraising, and
Acting.
year three
We continue to give you further autonomy in year three with core
modules in The Teaching Musician, Music in History modules
(topic-based) and additional performance activities. You will
continue to select music-based modules or choice modules to
complete your studies in year three.
year four
In year four you will work in various professional contexts
ensuring you are ready for the industry or further specialised
education. We offer research modules and performance modules
as core with a further third of the credits made up in year four
comprising choice and elective content.
Bachelor of music (honours)
four years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/bmus
head of Bmus programme: Helen McVey
The BMus undergraduate programme is our exemplary music
degree for performers and composers. We value hard-working,
talented and experimental students and support your learning
in a creative and nurturing environment. The four-year programme
supports you to become a specialist in your chosen field.
Our programme has four pathways: Performance, Composition,
Jazz and Joint Principal Study. All our pathways are designed to:
| inspire
| challenge
| contextualise
| create the next generation of professional musicians
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98% of our Bachelor of music graduates are in employment or further study(HESA, 2012/13)
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires codes:
Joint Principal Study – 301F
BMus Performance – 300F
BMus Composition – 302F
BMus Jazz – 303F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 1 October 2015.
academic entry requirements
| Scottish Higher – three passes or
| Scottish Advanced Higher – two passes or
| A-level – two passes or
| International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24
with three subjects at Higher level or
| Recognised equivalences
Subjects recommended: Music and English at Higher, Advanced
Higher or Advanced level of equivalent. For singers, the study
of two foreign languages (German, French or Italian)
Successful applicants will normally be of a standard at least
equivalent to Grade 8 with Distinction of the Associated Board
of the Royal Schools of Music in their principal study
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5
across all parts)
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email musicadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
why choose us?
| 90-minute one-to-one tuition per week, the highest of
any UK conservatoire (and an additional 30 minutes if you
have a second study)
| 98% of our BMus graduates are in employment or
further study (HESA, 2012/13)
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Uniquely connected: our partners include Scottish Opera,
Scottish Ballet, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra,
Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Classic FM
graduate destinations
We have an exceptionally high graduation employment rate and
our students secure work across the world upon graduating.
Our graduates work in orchestras, conservatoires, national
companies and as freelance, professional artists.
Some recent examples of graduate destinations include:
fraser gordon is Principal Contrabassoon with the Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra. christopher gough is on trial as Principal
Horn at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra whilst dávur Juul
magnussen is Principal Trombone and martin murphy is on trial
as Associate Horn.
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“The majority of our teachers are Principals in the national orchestras which is a great opportunity to meet and learn from these masters.”John Logan, Head of Brass
programme structure
year one
We provide a solid foundation in performance, theoretical
subjects, arranging, history, academic writing, music technology
and collaboration. Teacher education will focus on key professional
issues, teacher’s conduct, ethics and the law; communication,
discipline, classroom management, curriculum and planning;
child development, theories of learning and essential aspects
of cognition. School experience will be in a primary school.
year two
We build on and develop critical skills in the same areas studied
in year one. In teacher education we focus on: additional support
needs; assessment theory in the context of promoting learning
and achievement; child protection, in pupil support and in systems
of pastoral care; health and well-being; and whole school approaches
in promoting numeracy across the curriculum. School experience
will focus on years one and two in a secondary school.
year three
We will focus on refining your performance skills; developing
your research skills, further critical thinking and academic writing;
and compositional techniques since 1900. You will also have the
opportunity to choose two additional subjects.
Teacher education will consider wider social context, looking
at class, ethnicity and gender in relation to education and
attainment; poverty and anti-racism education; curriculum theory,
the history of Scotland’s curriculum and national curriculum
policy; professional issues; leadership within learning and
education; the role of technology in supporting learning; and
research in education. School experience will focus on secondary
three and four.
year four
You will choose to specialise in performance, composition or
dissertation. In addition, you will choose two additional subjects.
Teacher education will consider performance and quality assurance;
policy making in education; Scotland’s General Teaching Council
arrangements and requirements within the induction year; and
continuous professional learning. School experience will focus
on secondary five and six.
Bachelor of education (music) with honours
four years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/bed
head of programme: John Gormley
This vocational programme is for performers who aspire to
teach music in schools; it is the main route into classroom
music teaching in Scotland, qualifying you for both primary and
secondary school teaching.
The degree provides integrated school placements in all four years
of study. Following graduation, you will qualify for professional
registration as a classroom teacher with the General Teaching
Council for Scotland (GTCS), and you are guaranteed a probationary
year of classroom teaching. GTCS standards are recognised in
the UK and internationally.
The programme is delivered jointly with the School of Education
at the University of Glasgow. At the University of Glasgow you
will study all aspects of teacher education and preparation for
school experience and benefit from all of their facilities. At RCS
you will undertake intensive music studies including a principal
performance study, keyboard and vocal skills, performance classes,
and participation in ensemble music and choral activities.
If you wish to teach in Catholic schools, there is a course in
Religious Education which leads to the award of the Catholic
Teacher’s Certificate in Religious Education.
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application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: WX33
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 1 October 2015.
academic entry requirements
| A in Higher Music plus three additional Highers at BBC,
one of which must be Higher English; and Maths at either
National 5, Standard Grade 2, or Intermediate 2 at grade C
or above or
| B in A-level Music plus two additional A-levels at C.
GCSE English Language and Literature grade C, and GCSE
Maths at grade B
Successful applicants will normally be of a standard
equivalent to Grade 8 of the Associated Board of the
Royal Schools of Music in their performance study, and
approximately Grade 6 in piano
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS) (if
applicable) level 6.0 (with a minimum core of 5.5 across all parts)
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email musicadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
why choose us?
| The only programme of its kind with integrated school
experience throughout all four years
| 100% of our graduates are in employment or further
study (HESA, 2012/13)
| Accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland
and recognised across the UK and internationally
| Qualifies students for both primary and
secondary teaching
| Jointly delivered with the University of Glasgow, providing
music education in parallel with teacher education
| Students benefit from the resources of both RCS and
the University of Glasgow
graduate destinations
Most of our graduates go on to become music teachers in schools
in Scotland, other parts of the UK or abroad. Some graduates
choose to balance a part-time career in classroom teaching with
a freelance career in music and a number have chosen to work
in the higher education sector.
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masters of music/ master of art in music
mmus (two years, full-time) ma (one year, full-time) Part-time pathways are also available rcs.ac.uk/mmus
head of mmus: J Simon van der Walt
Choose to study music at postgraduate level through our specialist
MMus or MA programmes. You can study the following disciplines:
| Performance (Brass, Guitar and Harp, Keyboard,
Strings, Timpani and Percussion, Marimba,
Vocal Performance, Woodwind)
| Accompaniment
| Chamber Music
| Composition
| Conducting
| Historically Informed Performance Practice
(in partnership with the University of Glasgow)
| Jazz
| Opera
| Piano for Dance (in partnership with Scottish Ballet)
| Repetiteurship
| Scottish Music
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The Masters programmes are for people who want to make music
their life’s work. Perhaps you aspire to become an opera singer,
a concert artist or orchestral musician; to accompany, compose
or arrange; to work as a freelance instrumentalist or to be a
conductor, music leader or animateur. You may be planning
to coach or teach, either as the sole focus of your professional
life or as part of a portfolio career. Whatever your rationale for
applying, you will be able to refine and extend your musicianship
in preparation for your next steps.
We offer two Masters degrees, the one-year MA and the two-year
MMus. The MA runs full-time for three trimesters, with the third
trimester being dedicated to a largely independent project. The MMus
in Historically Informed Performance Practice in conjunction with
the University of Glasgow also runs on this pattern.
The MMus occupies four trimesters across two years, with a
summer break in trimester three. A part-time pathway is available
for the MMus degree, as is a 120 credit exit award of the PGDip.
programme structure
The MMus and MA share two core modules: Principal Study and
Supporting Studies. Through Principal Study you will have weekly
90-minute lessons with your principal teacher. The Supporting
Studies module is an individually-negotiated programme of
activities including coaching, performance classes, repertoire
studies, rehearsals, and for singers, three or four languages.
The Approaches to Critical Artistry module is shared across all
Masters programmes and gives you the opportunity to pursue an
individual research project in your own discipline. The programme
is completed by the Negotiated Study module which occupies the
final third of the MA programme, and up to four 10-credit elective
modules drawn from the undergraduate programmes.
graduate destinations
Our Masters graduates work professionally in orchestras, ensembles
and opera houses in the UK and abroad. Many build portfolio
careers, combining part-time and freelance performance with
teaching, community engagement, and work in allied areas such
as music administration.
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires codes:
Master of Music (Accompaniment) – 2 years 893F
Master of Music (Chamber Music) – 2 years 337F
Master of Music (Composition) – 2 years 891F
Master of Music (Conducting) – 2 years 892F
Master of Music ( Jazz) – 2 years 808F
Master of Music (Opera) – 2 years 851F
Master of Music (Performance) – 2 years 890F
Master of Music (Piano for Dance) – 2 years 803F
Master of Music (Repetiteurship) – 2 years 894F
Master of Music (Scottish Music) – 2 years 806F
Master of Arts in Music (Accompaniment) – 1 year 831F
Master of Arts in Music (Chamber Music) – 1 year 336F
Master of Arts in Music (Composition) – 1 year 820F
Master of Arts in Music (Conducting) – 1 year 840F
Master of Arts in Music ( Jazz) – 1 year 807F
Master of Arts in Music (Opera) – 1 year 800F
Master of Arts in Music (Performance) – 1 year 801F
Master of Arts in Music (Piano for Dance) – 1 year 802F
Master of Arts in Music (Repetiteurship) – 1 year 860F
Master of Arts in Music (Scottish Music) – 1 year 805F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 1 October 2015.
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academic entry requirements
An honours degree (at least 2:2) in a subject area relevant to
the demands of the programme
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 across
all parts)
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email musicadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
“I came to study here because I am a huge fan of Scotland and wanted to live and work here. I love the freedom of my degree, being able to begin acclimatising to professional work whilst still having the support of a teacher is wonderful.”Alice Allen, MMus student
Industry links
| Many of our students obtain further employment with
the RSNO, BBC SSO, Scottish Opera and the Scottish
Chamber Orchestra
| Recent graduate scott findlater has taken up a post at the
AR Rahman’s KMC in Chennai, India as part of an exciting
new partnership
graduate destinations
RCS brass alumni occupy positions in orchestras and ensembles
across the world. christopher gough is on trial as Principal Horn
at the RSNO whilst martin murphy is on trial as Associate Horn
at the RSNO. antonio Jiménez marín and tom poulson are both
at Ensemble Moderne. Tom recently received second prize at the
Aeolus International Competition for Wind Instruments.
teaching staff
Horn
david flack, stephanie Jones, david mcclenaghan
and hugh potts
Trumpet
nigel Boddice, peter franks, John gracie,
mark o’Keeffe and ryan Quigley
Trombone
lance green, chris greive, simon Johnson
and christopher stearn
Tuba
david dowall, andrew duncan and anthony swainson
go online
Find out more about the Brass department by going to
rcs.ac.uk/brass and watch Head of Brass John Logan and
students talk about their experiences of learning and
teaching in the department.
Also, please see the department’s Facebook page rcs Brass
for all the latest news and events.
Brasshead of Brass: John Logan
International fellow: Ian Bousfield
The Brass department has a long tradition of excellence and a
worldwide reputation for training leading musicians. Our team
of dedicated staff includes many of Britain’s finest brass players
such as John logan, mark o’Keeffe and John gracie, and all have
international reputations as soloists, orchestral, and chamber
musicians.
You will get a real sense of the professional world on the programme.
As well as weekly classes in orchestral, ensemble and solo repertoire,
individual tuition on your principal instrument and related
second study, there are many performance opportunities, often
in professional settings.
Our students take part in symphony, wind, opera, and chamber
orchestras, and a diverse range of ensembles including Big Band
and Royal Conservatoire Brass. Our ensembles give concerts
regularly throughout Scotland, and have played in many countries
such as China, Spain, Denmark, Russia, Malta and Brazil.
why choose us?
| Highest quality tuition from players from our
national companies
| Student apprenticeship schemes
| Opportunity to rehearse and obtain feedback from players
of the RSNO and the BBC SSO
| 90-minute weekly lesson coupled with an extra
30 minutes for a related study
| Small class sizes allowing tutors more time to dedicate
individual attention to each student
recent highlights
Our brass ensemble in 2014 performed internationally in Germany
and Brazil, and will be returning to the VIA festival in Gozo, Malta
for a third consecutive year.
Recent concert repertoire has included Wagner’s Ring Cycle,
Pictures at an Exhibition in a side by side concert with the New
Wallace Collection led by our new Emeritus Professor in Brass,
John wallace.
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compositionhead of composition: Gordon McPherson BA DPhil
When you study composition, you will work with diverse and
talented staff all of whom are working artists, with diverse areas
of specialist expertise. You will benefit from our professional
partnerships with leading ensembles and orchestras, and there
will be unmatched opportunities to hear your work performed
in significant and exciting venues. The performance of new work
is at the core of what we do here at RCS and we have a significant
reputation for the celebration of contemporary and new music.
Plug, our critically acclaimed annual festival, has become a renowned
platform for premiering new work.
You will work across the disciplines, and explore composition for
film, opera, ballet, and musical theatre, developing your ideas
without being restricted to a certain type of player or performance.
Recent visitors to the department include Bill sweeney, Joe cutler,
sally Beamish, sam hayden, hK gruber, harrison Birtwistle,
stephen deazley, James macmillan, steve reich, philip grange,
peter maxwell davies, John mccabe, martin suckling, donnacha
dennehey and nicole lizée.
Industry links
Recent professional partnerships include Robin Michael, BBC
Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Icebreaker, Psappha, New Music
Players, Red Note, Perth Symphony Orchestra, Drake Music Scotland,
Erskine String Quartet, Garth Knox, Richard Craig, Kreutzer String
Quartet, Scottish Ensemble and the Conservatoire de Paris.
graduate destinations
There are many opportunities for graduates to work with ensembles
both in Scotland and further afield. Others set up their own groups,
and some may study for a teaching qualification. Increasingly, young
composers are looking for opportunities to try their hand in the
more commercial market, for instance in the computer games
industry. Most of our composers find themselves immediately
active in the compositional world.
teaching staff
professor rory Boyle, colin Broom, david fennessy,
drew hammond, alistair macdonald, stuart macrae,
oliver searle and tom david wilson
conductingInternational fellow in conducting: Donald Runnicles
visiting professor of conducting: Garry Walker
Our Conducting programme will provide you with the comprehensive
and integrated training required of a professional conductor.
You will concentrate on the technique and craft of conducting
through diverse practical experience with RCS orchestras, our
Opera department and a variety of classical and contemporary
ensembles.
You will receive masterclasses and learn from the best conductors
in the field. Through these individual lessons, in-house opportunities
and aural classes you will develop perception, listening skills, and
self-awareness to become a responsive leader in rehearsal and
performance.
We offer a highly prestigious Leverhulme Conducting Fellowship
each year. The Conducting Fellow plays a major role in a wide variety
of our performance activities, in both rehearsal and performance,
and will work closely with the Royal Conservatoire’s visiting
Professor of Conducting, garry walker, and the Red Note Ensemble
plus our specialist tutors, conducting consultants, and visiting
conductors.
The Conducting Fellow will also act as assistant to donald runnicles,
for eight weeks. Maestro Runnicles is Chief Conductor of the
BBC SSO, General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin,
Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival (Wyoming, USA),
and Principal Guest Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Industry links
Our extensive professional links offer unmatched opportunities to
observe and collaborate with the country’s major orchestras, such
as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish
National Orchestra.
graduate destinations
All of our 2013 graduates are working in the field. We aim for you
to emulate the success of recent graduates like Jessica cottis,
now Assistant Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
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Industry links
The department’s professional partnerships for guitar include:
| Big Guitar Weekend
| Classical Guitar Retreat
| International Guitar Research Centre (University of Surrey)
| National Youth Guitar Ensemble
| NECGS Concert Series
| Celtic Connections
For harpists, we have formal links with several companies, enabling
you to play alongside professional musicians. These include:
| The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
| BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
graduate destinations
Guitar and Harp graduates have gone on to further study in
the US and Europe, become heads of university departments,
international concert solo artists, orchestral principal harpists,
teachers in private practice and high schools, and festival directors.
Guitar graduate sean shibe was the first guitarist to be admitted
to the prestigious BBC New Generation Artists Scheme and the
only solo guitarist to have received a Borletti-Buitoni Fellowship.
teaching staff
Guitar
Jamie akers, dr peter argondizza, malcolm macfarlane,
matthew mcallister, pavel steidl, International Fellow, phillip
thorne mBe, Ian watt and tomasz Zawierucha,
Visiting Artist
Harp
alina Bzhezhinska, gabriella dall’ollio, Visiting Artist,
sharon griffiths, helga storck, Visiting Artist, pippa tunnell
and sioned williams, Visiting Artist
guitar and harp head of guitar and harp: Professor Allan Neave
The Guitar and Harp department offers you unrivalled
opportunities for guitarists and harpists. Under the visionary
leadership of international guitar virtuoso, allan neave, the
Guitar and Harp department is the best place to develop your
musical talents and performance skills.
Learning from a team of distinguished professional guitarists and
harpists, you will be supported in your development to become
a successful, well-rounded musician who enters the profession
fully equipped with a broad range of skills.
With an emphasis on preparing you for a professional career as
a player, the broad curriculum of the department includes:
| orchestral studies | chamber music
| the art of teaching | technique classes
| performance classes
You will have many concert opportunities both within RCS, and
externally, to play as a soloist, a chamber musician, to participate
in competitions, and to play in any of the student orchestras.
You are also able to study other aspects of the profession including
teaching, academic research, holistic approaches, and to learn the
business skills necessary to survive in the music industry.
There are numerous collaborative opportunities to work within
different departments across RCS including drama, musical theatre
and dance. Our contemporary music festival, Plug, is a perfect
opportunity for you to work closely with new composers and to
compose and arrange for yourself.
why choose us?
| Excellent partnerships and links to industry
| Vast number of performance opportunities each
academic session
| 90-minute lesson in your principal study each week
| Expert teaching team with regular guitar masterclasses
from pavel steidl, craig ogden, edoardo catemario,
gary ryan, Xuefei yang and martin taylor
| Numerous harp masterclasses including
professor helga storck, naoko yoshino,
catrin finch and sivan magen
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masterclasses
Special guests perform in the Blue Mondays concert series and
teach masterclasses to our jazz students. The department has a
long history of attracting guest teachers and past clinicians have
included makoto ozone, courtney pine, Jacqui dankworth,
Branford marsalis, david liebman, peter erskine, paolo fresu,
Bill evans, Bob mintzer, randy Brecker and arild andersen.
Industry links
We have a close relationship with the Scottish National Jazz
Orchestra. The SNJO is considered Europe’s foremost contemporary
big band and our partnership with them has given RCS students
access to performances and behind the scenes rehearsals by
Kurt elling, John scofield, gary Burton, gunther schuller
and Joe lovano. We also work with BBC Radio Scotland and
students broadcast their own compositions on the Jazz House
programme.
graduate destinations
Jazz graduates have been recipients of the prestigious Yamaha
Jazz Scholarship, with pianists peter Johnstone and utsav lal
obtaining scholarships in 2013 and 2014. Peter and Utsav have
also recorded a CD for the cover of Jazzwise magazine, and
performed at the Houses of Parliament in London.
Graduates Brodie Jarvie and John lowrie performed in 2014
at the London Jazz Festival as well as presenting their own
successful jazz concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
teaching staff
mario caribe, alyn cosker, tom gibbs, chris greive,
paul harrison, Kevin macKenzie, tom macniven,
louise mochan and paul towndrow
Jazz head of Jazz and director of scottish national
Jazz orchestra: Professor Tommy Smith
The Jazz department is led by the internationally renowned
saxophonist professor tommy smith. Tommy is a major force
in European jazz and has a reputation for producing successful
musicians and new voices within the UK jazz scene.
Currently we offer the highest amount of contact time offered
anywhere in the UK with 90 minutes of individual lessons each
week on your principal study instrument, with the opportunity
to study a second instrument.
In our dedicated jazz studios, you’ll study the essentials of
chord-scale harmony, improvisation, classic repertoire, composition,
history, music business and arranging. Our vision of jazz is
comprehensive and inclusive, and you’ll be introduced to the full
range of contexts from solo and ensemble work through to big
band settings.
Studying jazz here gives you a high level of training aimed at
cultivating your development as a creative and versatile jazz
performer. Both the BMus and MMus programmes explore jazz
in the broadest possible terms, and provide the opportunity to
play, perform, compose and record in many different styles.
The BMus programme is the only full-time degree level jazz course
in Scotland and offers many creative and artistic opportunities to
you as a performer across a wide-ranging curriculum. The MMus
pathway, for advanced study of jazz, offers the chance to further
hone your performance and compositional skills and to develop
your musical versatility and creativity to the highest level.
why choose us?
| A teaching team featuring the best educators and highly
acclaimed jazz performers
| A rigorous performance schedule including Blue Mondays
and BBC Radio Scotland broadcasts
| Close links to the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra enabling
you to watch professionals at work
| Recording and mixing sessions with Nimbus Records where
you’ll have the change to release an album on the RCS
record label, Nimbus Alliance
| Dedicated jazz studios for you to record your compositions
masterclasses
There is a busy programme of masterclasses and recitals given by
pianists of international reputation. Recent visitors have included
richard goode, angela hewitt, elizabeth leonskaja, andrei
gavrilov, leslie howard, pascal roge, and alexander Korsantia.
Distinguished artists steven osborne and malcolm martineau
regularly visit to share their knowledge and expertise with you.
anto pett, International Visiting Professor in Contemporary
Improvisation, also offers highly inclusive and innovative
classes. Additional visiting artists include hyoung-Joon chang,
Idil Biret, olli mustonen, stephen hough, william fong, petras
geniusas and Ian fountain.
graduate destinations
Many of our graduates have successful and diverse performing
careers. Others have gone on to teach around the world, including
at the Szechuan Conservatory and Kunming University (China).
Graduates of the Masters in Piano for Dance Accompaniment have
gone on to jobs in major UK and European ballet companies.
teaching staff
professor fali pavri, Isobel anderson, norman Beedie,
emily Jeffrey, yoon-Kyung Kim, sinae lee, anna mavromatidi,
Jonathan plowright, anna rastopchina, victor sangiorgio,
anne scott, heather slade-lipkin, clare sutherland
and James willshire
Accordion
djordje gajic
Organ
david hamilton
Harpsichord
Jan waterfield
Keyboard and collaborative pianohead of Keyboard and piano: Professor Aaron Shorr,
BMUS, MMUS, DipRAM, ARAM
The Keyboard and Collaborative Piano department will develop
your individual skills in a supportive and challenging environment.
Our staff bring a wealth of experience to their teaching, and enjoy
active performing and recording careers. You will benefit from
their expertise in your weekly 90-minute one-to-one lessons, and
performance classes in solo and chamber music.
Our performing and practice facilities are world class. You are
guaranteed daily practice time on Steinway grand pianos, as well as
a generous allocation of performance classes each week in the main
concert halls. We offer a loan system to provide you with free use of
an upright piano during the academic year in your accommodation.
RCS also has an extensive historic and reproduction instrument
collection, including a newly refurbished Erard Grand, allowing
exploration of core repertoire in its appropriate historical context.
Our students regularly win prizes in many international and national
competitions including the Royal Over-Seas League, (Overseas
Prize) and Moray (1st Prize), Estonia (Tallinn 1st Prize), France
(Lagny Sur Marne and Piano Campus), Vines (Spain), Italy (Chieri),
Greece (Maria Callas), the Czech Republic (EU competition, Prague),
Germany (Frankfurt Sparkasse Chamber Music Competition)
and Serbia (Isidor Bajic, Novi Sad). We also regularly offer students
opportunities to perform concertos with prestigious professional
orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the
BBC SSO.
why choose us?
| 90-minute individual lesson each week
| Multitude of performance opportunities, including regular
showcase concerts, and major competitions
| Annual Piano Festival
| Varied programme of masterclasses from international
visiting artists including steven osborne (International
Fellow in Piano), malcolm martineau (International
Fellow in Collaborative Piano) and anto pett (International
Visiting Professor in Contemporary Improvisation)
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piano for dance accompaniment in partnership with
Piano for Dance Accompaniment is an innovative postgraduate
degree, delivered jointly between RCS and Scottish Ballet in which
you will work extensively with tutors, dancers and conductors.
The programme is led by Principal Conductor for Scottish Ballet,
richard honner.
We will provide you with the necessary skills to become a
professional accompanist for a ballet company. You will study
core ballet repertoire as well as accompanying skills such as
improvisation, dance forms, appropriate repertoire selection,
following directions and giving dancers the necessary musical
support for their class work. You will have piano lessons with
RCS lecturers, reinforcing aspects of piano technique, keyboard
harmony and repertoire as well as offering a range of electives to
enhance collaborative skills and employability in the profession.
Graduates of Piano for Dance Accompaniment have gone on to
gain professional work with ballet organisations, including
Scottish Ballet and the Ballet School at SOTA, Singapore.
Scholarships are available.
repetiteurshipAs a repetiteur student, you will work and study as part of our
internationally reputable Alexander Gibson Opera School. You will
work regularly with timothy dean, Head of Opera, oliver
rundell, Head of Music Preparation and Julia lynch, all of
whom have considerable professional experience, nationally
and internationally. This programme will give you the opportunity
to learn and study all of the core and related skill sets: piano lessons,
languages, coaching, continuo playing, style, repertoire and
conducting. A large part of your training will be in practical sessions,
playing for classes, opera scenes rehearsals, full productions and,
where appropriate, conducting.
Alumni have gone on to study and work at the highest level, at the
National Opera Studio, the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme
(Royal Opera House), English National Opera, Opera North and
Scottish Opera, as well as opera houses in Europe.
Scholarships are available.
piano accompanimentPiano Accompaniment is a varied and challenging postgraduate
programme, led by one of Scotland’s most respected piano
accompanists, scott mitchell, alongside a team of highly experienced
professional accompanists and chamber musicians. You will
engage in a wide range of collaborative opportunities to prepare
you for this demanding profession working with students and
lecturers from all departments at RCS.
Developing core accompaniment skills forms the foundation of the
programme. In addition to the extensive development of standard
accompaniment repertoire, additional supporting skills are also
cultivated in weekly group classes, including sight reading, orchestral
reductions, transposition, figured bass, choral accompaniment,
vocal and instrumental coaching and languages.
MMus Accompanists also enjoy extensive performing opportunities,
whether in concerts, competitions or accompanying students.
The course provides a wide range of choice for assessment,
including studio recordings, commissions of new collaborative
works, independent projects and full length recitals.
Recent masterclasses for accompanists have included notable
artists such as malcolm martineau, susan tomes, roy howat,
ashley wass and simon lepper.
Students from this programme have forged professional careers
as accompanists and work for a wide range of institutions and
organisations throughout the world.
Scholarships are available.
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100% of piano accompaniment graduates are working in related employment (HESA, 2012/13)
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Industry links
Professional companies and agents frequently audition and give
talks at the Royal Conservatoire including Glyndebourne Festival
Opera, the Bayreuth Festival, Independent Opera, British Youth
Opera and the Britten Pears School.
We share a close relationship with Scottish Opera. Students have
frequent access to Scottish Opera rehearsals, a ‘shadowing’ scheme
and a shared Emerging Artists programme for recent graduates.
We have a lively network of international collaborations, including
recent projects with Rachmaninov Conservatoire, Universität
für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Norges Musikkhøgskole,
and the Hochschule für Musik, Nuremberg.
graduate destinations
Opera alumni include peter auty, Karen cargill, daniel ohlmann,
Jason Bridges, elin pritchard, rebecca afonwy-Jones and
Jung soo yun. We are currently the only UK conservatoire to have
two alumni on the Jette Parker Young Artist programme at the
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden UK, anush hovhannisyan
and michel de souza.
teaching staff
george gordon, patricia hay, Judith howarth, margaret Izatt,
helen lawson, Julia lynch, Kathleen mcKellar-ferguson,
wilma macdougall, Iain paton, marilyn smith, Julian tovey,
christopher underwood, alan watt and gordon wilson
opera head of opera: Timothy Dean
head of vocal performance: Professor Stephen Robertson
The postgraduate Opera programme is a highly focused, practical and
pre-professional programme providing performance opportunities
across a range of operatic styles, in venues of different scale and setting.
You will have twice-weekly singing lessons and coaching sessions
as well as classes in acting, stage combat, languages, movement,
Alexander Technique, dance, auditioning and repertoire coaching
in all the traditional European languages and Russian.
The Vocal department staff is a group of experienced and committed
teachers, headed up by internationally-recognised teacher, professor
stephen robertson. We also regularly welcome guest artists to
give masterclasses. Recent artists have included sir thomas allen,
dame felicity palmer, John trelevean and roderick williams.
Jane eaglen is a regular visitor and students will also have the
opportunity to work with malcolm martineau.
You will perform opera scenes allowing you to experience different
repertoire and style and the annual Opera Project explores
both contemporary/20th century and baroque repertoire.
why choose us?
| 93% of MMus Opera graduates are in employment
or further study (HESA, 2012/13)
| Unrivalled industry links with companies including
Scottish Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera
| Regular performing and collaborative opportunities
across RCS
| Busy masterclass schedule throughout the academic year
| Excellent staff-student ratio
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why choose us?
| The UK’s only Bachelor of Music dedicated to traditional
and folk music
| 100% of graduates are in related employment (HESA, 12/13)
| Develop invaluable industry contacts
| Performance opportunities include the world-famous
Celtic Connections festival
| Opportunities for artistic collaboration across RCS
| professor phil cunningham mBe, internationally
renowned musician and performer, is the
programme’s Artistic Director
| Collaborations and connections include the National
Piping Centre, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the European Network of
Folk Orchestras, World Academy of Irish Music and Dance,
Fèis Rois, East Tennessee State University and the
Sibelius Academy (Finland)
graduate destinations
Our graduates are working in the professional music and related
industries, including as performers, teachers, composers, musical
directors, recording artists, producers, music therapists, doctoral
students, community project managers, and broadcasters. There’s a
great atmosphere in the department and RCS as a whole; it’s a
close-knit community where you end up performing and gigging
with other students and staff, and making friends for life.
teaching staff
chris armstrong, margaret Bennett, glenn Brown,
Jenn Butterworth, pete clark, heather downie, marc duff,
Jack evans, marie fielding, dr fred freeman, Visiting Lecturer,
wojciech gardela, James grant, corrina hewat,
màiri macInnes, Kevin macKenzie, talitha macKenzie,
mary mccarthy, alistair mcculloch, gordeanna mcculloch,
sheila mccutcheon, Ian muir, hamish napier, anne neilson,
Iseabail t nicdhomhnaill, tom oakes, rod patterson,
calum ross, James ross, stuart samson,
John somerville and eric ward
scottish musicartistic director of scottish music: Phil Cunningham MBE
head of scottish music: Joshua Dickson MA PhD
head of piping studies: Finlay MacDonald, National Piping Centre
RCS is proud to deliver the UK’s only Bachelor of Music degree
dedicated to traditional and folk music. Aspiring performers on
this course work closely with some of the world’s top solo and
collaborative exponents to consolidate your performance technique,
repertoire and personal style as a traditional musician, interwoven
with development as a critical, creative, entrepreneurial and/
or teaching artist. This includes exploring both the established
parameters of folk and traditional music and the shared technical
vocabulary that links folk to classical and jazz worlds.
You will perform in a variety of contexts. External learning
opportunities include an Isle of Skye residency, touring, teaching
placements and work placements in Scotland and abroad and
appearances at high-profile events, including Glasgow’s renowned
Celtic Connections festival, Piping Live!, international occasions
of state and a range of UK, European and North American festivals.
pipingThe Piping degree follows the same structure and range of contextual
curriculum as in the main Scottish Music department, though
its range of performance tuition is specifically dedicated to the
well-rounded and in-depth development of the contemporary
exponent of the Scottish Highland Bagpipe, delivered in partnership
with Glasgow’s world-famous National Piping Centre. This includes
core elements dedicated to solo piping, piobaireachd, pipe band
work and piping in a folk ensemble context, in addition to optional
tuition in bellows-blown piping and other piping specific electives.
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chamber music
Chamber music is a large and important part of our curriculum
and RCS students enjoy regular chamber music and ensemble
performing opportunities. As a student here, you can expect to
learn and play in ensembles alongside teaching staff and visiting
artists, including Principal Jeffrey sharkey, Head of Piano and
Collaborative Piano aaron shorr, Head of Strings david watkin,
and alison wells and with our resident ensembles including
Stevenson Winds and Red Note Ensemble.
teaching staff
Violin
Ilya gringolts, Visiting Artist, leland chen, Visiting Artist,
william chandler, ruth crouch, francis cummings,
tamás fejes, simon fischer, Visiting Professor, andrea gajic,
chris george, Katie hull, gina mccormack, angus ramsay,
and Justine watts
Baroque Violin
ruth slater
Viola
lev atlas, andrew Berridge, scott dickinson,
duncan ferguson and stephen tees
Baroque Viola
alfonso leal
Violoncello
rudi de groote, robert Irvine, aleksei Kiseliov,
martin storey, Betsy taylor and alison wells
Baroque Cello
alison mcgillivray
Double Bass
nicholas Bayley, tom Berry, Iain crawford,
nikita naumov and John van lierop
strings head of strings: David Watkin
We offer one of the most dynamic string programmes in the UK.
Your weekly 90-minute individual principal study lesson is enhanced
by orchestral training classes, performance classes and instrument-
specific studio classes. You can also choose a second study and/
or a related study in historical instruments.
Experience in symphony, chamber, and opera orchestras is
offered alongside chamber music, which emphasises the essential
ensemble and communication skills needed for a long-term career.
Our curriculum features opportunities for cross-disciplinary
collaborative and experimental work. We encourage you to work
with other departments and students from across all disciplines
in RCS. Recently students have collaborated with musical theatre,
modern ballet and composition students in creating new work that
has been showcased at the Plug Festival.
why choose us?
| High staff-student ratio
| Expert teaching team who perform in the orchestras of
Scotland’s national companies
| Regular masterclasses from the world’s leading string
performers, including nicola Benedetti and leland chen
| Multiple performing opportunities
masterclasses
Masterclasses are at the heart of our curriculum; our students
learn from the very best performers. In 2014/15 we have had
masterclasses with nicola Benedetti, Ilya gringolts and the Brodsky
Quartet.
Industry links
We have professional collaborations with a number of high-profile
orchestras and ensembles including Scottish Ensemble, Red
Note Ensemble, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC
Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
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masterclasses
The department has close relationships with the world’s very best
percussionists. Some of our most recent masterclasses are listed
below and a full list is available online:
| leigh howard stevens, Marimbist and Clinician. Visionary
musician Leigh Howard Stevens performed alongside
students and delivered a special masterclass in May 2015
| chris lamb, Principal Percussion New York Philharmonic
and Manhattan School of Music. Chris visits the department
three times each year to teach masterclasses
| eric sammut, International Marimba Consultant,
International Soloist and Clinician, Orchestre de Paris
and Conservatoire de Paris. Eric visits RCS six times a
year to perform and work closely with students; in 2015
he produced the concert featuring RCS students
performing alongside Leigh Howard Stevens
graduate destinations
June Binnie is Principal Timpani with Sinfonia Finlandia.
James gorman is a freelance drummer and percussionist
currently playing percussion on the UK tour of Evita. Graduate
calum huggan was the first British student to be accepted on to
the Advanced Solo Marimba course at the Royal College of Music.
Graduates philip hague and louis abbott have achieved
considerable success with their band Admiral Fallow. They have
two critically acclaimed albums to their name, have been
signed by Vancouver-based label Nettwerk and have toured
throughout the UK, Europe and the USA.
teaching staff
Jay allen, ruari donaldson, martin gibson, dave hassell,
robert howes, tom hunter, christopher lamb,
simon lowdon, John poulter and gordon rigby
timpani and percussionhead of timpani and percussion: Kurt Hans Goedicke,
Hon. RAM, Principal Timpanist Emeritus,
London Symphony Orchestra
In preparation for your professional career, our Timpani and
Percussion department provides excellent tuition and facilities
for study, practice, and performance. These include three large
dedicated studios with a full range of the highest quality instruments.
You will have weekly 90-minute one-to-one lessons with renowned
professional performers, enhanced by repertoire classes, as well
as specialised individual and class tuition in Latin American, ethnic
percussion, and drum set provided by six visits per academic year
for two days each. Although tuition is directed towards orchestral
repertoire, we’ve developed well-established traditions of solo
performance and also offer a solo-marimba provision.
You will gain lots of performance experience in a number of
learning and professional contexts. You will work with our ensembles
in symphonic, chamber, opera, wind orchestra, brass, and Big Band
repertoire in RCS and external venues.
We operate a number of side-by-side schemes with Scotland’s
leading orchestras, where you can experience the realities of the
working world in a supportive environment. You will benefit from
the guidance and mentoring of professional musicians, performing
in some of Scotland’s major concert halls and venues.
why choose us?
| Small class sizes; the department only works with a
maximum of 12 students to ensure the highest possible
teaching contact and practice time
| Three large dedicated percussion studios with a full range
of the highest quality instruments
| Unrivalled links with the world’s leading performers in
timpani and percussion
| Performing opportunities alongside guest artists and
masterclass clinicians
| Cross-discipline collaboration opportunities with
students from across RCS
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masterclasses
You will benefit from regular masterclasses and coaching from
renowned artists. Recent guests include dame gwyneth Jones,
dame felicity lott, patricia macmahon, sir thomas allen,
John treleaven, malcolm martineau, rosalind plowright,
Barbara Bonney, roderick williams, Jane eaglen and christine
Brewer.
Industry links
Through our partnership with Scottish Opera, you will have the
opportunity to work with a fully professional orchestra and the
highly experienced Scottish Opera technical and coaching teams.
Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artist scheme also offers you the chance
to make a start in the profession.
The department has very strong links with Glyndebourne Festival
Opera, The Bayreuth Festival, British Youth Opera, and both the
Samling and Britten Pears School, all of whom regularly visit
RCS to audition, with our students being offered valuable work,
experience and coaching.
graduate destinations
Recent graduates have been offered places on the Covent Garden
Jette Parker scheme, as well as contracts in fully professional
houses including Staatsoper Berlin, Covent Garden, Scottish
Opera, Opera North, Welsh National and Royal Opera Den Norske.
Graduates have also been successful in international and national
competitions such as Jung soo yun who won the Richard Tauber
Prize and subsequently the Montserrat Caballée Competition,
(also winning both the Stuart Burrows International Voice Award
and the Les Azuriales Opera Competition in France). Louise Kemeny
also won the Joaninha Trust Award.
teaching staff
george gordon, patricia hay, amand hekkers,
Judith howarth, margaret Izatt, scott Johnson,
helen lawson, Julia lynch, Kathleen mcKellar-ferguson,
wilma macdougall, Iain paton, clare shearer, marilyn smith,
Julian tovey, christopher underwood and alan watt
vocal studieshead of vocal performance: Professor Stephen Robertson
We help you to fulfil your potential as a singer and become a
versatile, independent artist. Our team of tutors and coaches work
with you to help you find your own unique voice and establish a
lasting technique specifically for you.
The department has an excellent team of tutors, many of whom
work at the highest international level and who bring a range of
specialisms with them.
Classes are offered in all the main languages, and associated
repertoire, such as Italian song, lieder, melodie, with further
classes for oratorio, opera, auditions, performance skills, Alexander
Technique and vocal pedagogy. You will have the chance to perform
in main-stage operatic productions, choral works and specialist
chamber groups. You will be able to take advantage of professional
opportunities whilst studying including solo singing for a choral
society or small cathedral ensemble, or a main work with the
BBC or at the Edinburgh Festival. The RCS Song Studio recital
series is extremely popular with audiences and provides a fully
professional outlet for this repertoire.
The Vocal Studies department is busy and challenging, working
in an atmosphere of varied inspiring performances and with
each singer, perfecting your craft, yet also finding the emotional
honesty which lies behind truly great singing.
why choose us?
| 90 minutes of individual singing lessons each week
| Unique classes specifically on the basis of vocal technique
| Students are taught how to understand the vocal mechanism
| Imagination and artistry are seen as crucial components
in the curriculum
| Numerous diverse performance opportunities, including
taking part in full operatic productions
| Plentiful contact with leading professionals in
masterclasses, competitions, companies
and auditions
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recent highlights
| Woodwind students performing Poulenc’s Sextet in a live
radio broadcast with michael collins
| Bassoonists performing in concert alongside peter whelan
| Oboists performing live in concert with alison teale
Also in 2014, our students toured India with the BBc scottish
symphony orchestra in a series of live concerts, TV and radio
broadcasts and education workshops with celebrated violinist
nicola Benedetti.
graduate destinations
Recent woodwind graduates include:
| fraser gordon is now Principal Contrabassoon
with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
| Kate mcdermott is Co-Principal Clarinet
with the Gothenburg Opera
| graeme Brown is Associate Principal Bassoonist and the
youngest musician in the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
teaching staff
lorna mcghee, Visiting flute consultant, richard Blake,
Janet Bloxwich, Katherine Bryan, John cushing,
elisabeth dooner, yann ghiro, lawrence gill,
alison green, sheena gordon, david hubbard,
James horan, matthew hunt, alison mitchell, ruth morley,
Josef pacewicz, Janet richardson, rosie staniforth,
alan warhurst, stephen west and peter whelan
woodwindhead of woodwind: Heather Nicoll
The Woodwind department has an international reputation for
nurturing talent and producing leading musicians. Our team of
dedicated staff includes many of Britain’s finest woodwind players,
with world-class reputations as soloists, orchestral and chamber
musicians.
Unparalleled one-to-one weekly tuition is given to every student,
with a 90-minute principal study lesson and a further 30-minute
lesson available on both a related instrument and second study
of choice. Weekly tuition is enhanced by visits from distinguished
guest artists from across the globe.
As a woodwind student, you will benefit from a diverse range
of performance opportunities. Symphony, chamber and wind
orchestra performances, opera productions, wind ensembles
and chamber experience are also central to your training.
We encourage you to form your own ensembles and offer
professional coaching to support your work. Our ensemble,
Stevenson Winds, promotes our woodwind talent and sees yet
more high profile performance opportunities for you to perform
alongside top professional players.
Weekly performance, technique and repertoire classes take place
in our world-class recital venues providing the ideal environment
for your development and a professional accompanist is provided
for you throughout your training.
why choose us?
| Numerous performance opportunities including TV
broadcasts, public performances, worldwide tours and
concert soloist opportunities with Scotland’s major
orchestras and ensembles
| 90-minute one-to-one lesson each week
| A rich programme of public masterclasses, individual
and group coaching, side-by-side performances
and CD recordings
| Perform alongside professional musicians in our
Mondays and Fridays at 1 concert series
| Work with elite wind ensemble, Stevenson Winds, and
receive intensive coaching with its expert players
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pRoDUCTIoN
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ros maddison, head of production
“It’s not a job you’re training for; it’s a lifestyle.”
programme structure
year one
You will experience all areas of the theatre production process
as well as build initial skills and knowledge in your major subject.
You will receive a broad based introduction to the production
environment and examine the design process through the five
core subjects culminating in the choice of a minor subject to
compliment your major study pathway.
year two
You will consolidate your fundamental skills and knowledge and
be introduced to more advanced approaches and techniques
including management and self-promotion.
Production Arts students begin by engaging with practice based
work on RCS productions as part of a collaborative team with
students from third year. Processes, skills and techniques are
gathered as well as the opportunity to observe senior students in
managerial positions. Design students explore the design process
from concept to final presentation through personal projects and
begin the process of designing for a fully-realised production.
year three
Each student negotiates their individual pathway in third year in
order to effectively take advantage of the available production
roles, personal projects, choice modules and secondment
opportunities over the two trimesters. The secondment ensures
you are making contacts with industry practitioners and potential
employers and often acts as a springboard into your first job.
A showcase of work, organised and created by the final year
students is exhibited and a range of potential employers are
invited to view your work.
Ba production arts and design
Accredited by the National Council for Drama Training
three years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/productionarts
head of production: Ros Maddison
This programme has been designed specifically to create a
high-level conservatoire learning environment for aspiring
scenic art ists , prop makers, stage c arpenters , costume
makers and costume designers. You will learn in an environment
where excellence can be achieved and where your technical
knowledge is as important as your creativity and individuality.
You will be interviewed and accepted based on your profile in one
particular area of study taken from the five subjects on offer (scenic
art, set construction, costume construction, prop-making, and set
and costume design). You will follow an individually-negotiated
pathway based on a major and minor study to ensure a quality
learning experience and afford you the opportunity to engage with
the broad and diverse range of performance programmes.
As well as being highly skilled in your own disciplines, you
will also understand and engage with the production and
design process as a collaborative and creative contributor.
The opportunity to work with film-makers, dancers, musicians
and actors is unique and the facilities in which we do this
are second to none. The Wallace Studios at Speirs Locks has
purpose built production workshops and design studios
and the Renfrew Street campus houses five public performance
spaces including a fully equipped proscenium arch theatre and
a black box studio theatre. The combination of professional
venues, extensive workshops, construction spaces, design
studios and the latest stage and workshop technologies
provide a fantastic learning environment.
We work closely with industry to ensure the high-level expertise
you will acquire is current, competitive and of the highest
professional standard, so you will gain all of the skills and
knowledge needed for your future career.
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“The ideal candidate will enjoy getting their hands dirty, making a mess, working in a team, all to create something beautiful.” Gary Fry, Lecturer in Scenic Art
Industry links
RCS has invaluable relationships with industry including the
National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre (London), Scottish
Ballet, Citizens Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Disney Cruise Lines,
Association of British Theatre Technicians, Association of Stage
Pyrotechnicians, Production Lighting and Sound Association,
Stage Technologies and Just FX.
graduate destinations
Recent graduates have found employment in positions such as
Assistant Carpenter (Royal Lyceum and Pitlochry Festival Theatre),
Assistant Scenic Artist (Royal Lyceum, Citizens Theatre and Pitlochry
Festival Theatre), Art Department (BBC and various independent
films), Costume Maker (Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as well as in
design roles with organisations such as the BBC, National Theatre
of Scotland, Arches Theatre and the Tron Theatre.
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: 203F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 15 January 2016 (UK/EU)
or 31 March 2016 (overseas).
academic entry requirements
| Scottish Higher – three passes or
| Scottish Advanced Higher – two passes or
| A-level – two passes or
| International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24
with three subjects at Higher level or
| Recognised equivalences
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 across
all parts
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
why choose us?
| Only degree of its kind in Scotland
| Only UK conservatoire offering opportunities in
production to collaborate with staff and students across
the art forms of dance, drama, music and screen
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Industry placement
| Final year showcase
| Regular workshops and masterclasses with
distinguished visiting professionals
| Work on a diverse range of productions
| Purpose built production workshops and design studios
and five public performance spaces
| Regular presence at the Prague Quadrennial Design
Exhibition and the Word Stage Design Exhibition
| Study abroad opportunities in Europe,
California and Hong Kong
recent highlights
| Hosting and participating in a Linbury Prize Portfolio
Advisory day with pamela howard and simon higglett
| Staff and student participation in a range of roles for
the 2014 Commonwealth Games
| Increase in graduates securing postgraduate study
places around the world
| Continuing success of undergraduate exchange
scheme with HKAPA and CalArts
| Recent student success both on placement and in
employment on major TV shows such as Peaky Blinders,
Game of Thrones, Outlander and Downton Abbey and
with major artists such as Beyoncé
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programme structure
year one
Your first year will be based on experiential learning and skills
acquisition focusing on the context of production through a
range of classroom, workshop and venue-based experiences
culminating in allocated roles in each area on RCS productions.
You will investigate the collaborative nature of production and
performance and have the opportunity to work with other
students from across RCS on small projects.
year two
You will be introduced to more advanced approaches and
techniques including management and self-promotion. This is
delivered both on allocated roles on RCS productions and in the
classroom. Also, you will engage with choice modules where you
can choose from a range of modules on offer from programmes
across the institution or undertake a negotiated project.
year three
You will consolidate your learning and explore and develop
specialist skills in autonomous situations on RCS public productions.
You will negotiate your individual pathway in third year in
order to take advantage of the available production roles, choice
modules and secondment opportunities. You will also be offered
the opportunity to visit at least one major trade show or association
conference during your final year.
why choose us?
| The only technical theatre degree in Scotland
| The only UK conservatoire offering opportunities to
collaborate with staff and fellow students across
dance, drama, music and screen
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Industry placement
| Regular workshops and masterclasses with
distinguished visiting professionals
| Develop invaluable industry contacts with our unrivalled
professional partners
| Work on a diverse range of productions
| Purpose built production workshops and design studios
and five public performance spaces
Ba production technology and management
Accredited by the National Council for Drama Training
three years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/productiontechnology
head of production: Ros Maddison
This is the only technical theatre degree in Scotland. Through the
programme we produce production technicians, stage managers
and lighting designers who can turn their hands to any related
role, making them employable in a range of contexts, whilst also
being specialists in specific career pathways, i.e. stage management,
stage technology, sound technology, lighting technology and
lighting design.
You will be passionate about producing live performance and
aspire to being integral to the development and leadership of BA
Production Technology and Management in the future.
We’ll help you to create your own pathway through the programme,
focusing on your areas of interest. You will learn to work creatively,
as an individual artist and in collaboration with other students
of all disciplines.
Problem solving, people skills and organisational skills are all
areas in which you should show potential, along with an awareness
of team working and the qualities of leadership.
You will need to have a working knowledge of and an aptitude
for at least one of the subjects within the programme (i.e. stage
management, stage technology, lighting or sound).
RCS is a major public performance and conference venue with
world-class facilities. The combination of professional venues,
extensive workshops, construction spaces, design studios, and
the latest stage and workshop technologies provide a fantastic
learning environment, second to none in the sector.
We work closely with industry to ensure our production training
is current, competitive, and of the highest professional standard,
so you will gain all of the skills and knowledge needed for your
future career.
Our graduates aspire to become the creative leaders and innovators
of the future and are encouraged to push accepted boundaries
and create new standards of practice in the industry.
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graduate destinations
Our graduates work in a huge range of companies and specialisms
all over the world. Here are a few examples of where some of our
recent graduates have worked:
malcolm stephen, Head Mechanist, Royal New Zealand Ballet
wendy manson, Automation Advisor, Cirque du Soleil
alix ross, Senior Technician, Royal Opera House
helen sennett, General Manager, Grange Park Opera
chris mcdougall, Production Manager, National Theatre
david mcmorris, Fleet-wide Audio Developer,
Disney Cruise Lines
emma geddes is Automation No.1 for the national tour
of Dirty Dancing
rosanna Barber works on ITV’s Downton Abbey
andrew mccabe is on tour with Cirque du Soleil
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: 204F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 15 January 2016 (UK/EU)
or 31 March 2016 (overseas).
academic entry requirements
| Scottish Higher – three passes or
| Scottish Advanced Higher – two passes or
| A-level – two passes or
| International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24
with three subjects at Higher level or
| Recognised equivalences
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 across
all parts
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
| Fully equipped proscenium arch theatre with a full height
fly tower and automated flying capabilities as well the
highest level equipment in both lighting and sound
| Study abroad opportunities in Europe,
California and Hong Kong
recent highlights
| Hosting welcome event for the Production Lighting
and Sound Association (PLASA) Focus Glasgow,
December 2014
| Masterclasses with tim reid (Video Designer),
rc annie (Stage Weapons), raymond short (Fight
Director), Bruno poet (Lighting Designer), John robb
(Edinburgh International Festival), lincoln parkhouse
(Pyrotechnics) and many others
| Continuing high graduate employment rates with
companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Stage Technologies,
GrandMA, National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet
and Scottish Opera
| Staff and student participation in a range of roles for
the Commonwealth Games and continuing success
of undergraduate exchange scheme with HKAPA
and CalArts
Industry links
We have a close working relationship with the Production Lighting
and Sound Association, National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish
Ballet, Citizens Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre. RCS is also
validating partners of the Association of British Theatre Technicians
(ABTT) award scheme.
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SCREEN
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paul wright, award-winning dftv graduate
“ I have recently returned to rcs to teach. It’s great to see the next generation of talented and passionate film-makers – it’s exciting to work with them.”
programme structure
year one
Working individually and in groups, you will engage with the
mechanical and creative elements of screenwriting and TV content
projects designed to develop technical skills and grow creative
awareness. You will learn about craft skills in camera, post
production, producing and sound recording within workshops
and practical projects.
year two
You will develop your technical skills and work as a creative
practitioner. You will learn directing skills, and choose a specialist
area to work with, selecting from cinematography, post-production,
sound recording and producing. You will be involved in the
production of a number of 90-second film projects and work on
the RED One camera system to originate project work.
year three
You will hone your technical skills to a highly specialised and
professional level, whilst reinforcing the practice of independent
responsibility and development. You will realise professional
creative content and negotiate your role as a specialist practitioner.
You will use the RED Epic Digital Cinema system for your final
year projects.
During major project work and specially designed workshops,
all three year groups work together as heads of departments,
assistants and trainees to allow work on collaboration skills, set
etiquette and understanding of crew hierarchy.
Ba digital film and television
three years, full-time rcs.ac.uk/dftv
head of digital film and television: Adam McIlwaine
This programme is for aspiring film-makers who are passionate about
the film-making process. It’s a rich and challenging environment
for students who are keen to develop their skills to the highest
level and who have the potential to originate new ideas for film
and television.
At RCS you will find lots of resources at your fingertips; there’s
nowhere else in the UK that provides the range of specialisms
that we do. This means that you have the opportunity to work with
actors, composers, directors, dancers and musicians, as well as
your peers from production, including scenic artists, stage managers,
and technicians. Everything you need to make great work for the
screen is right here.
You will benefit from extensive industry contact, which can
include working on live BBC sets, becoming part of the crew on
a professional production, masterclasses and expert tuition from
industry practitioners on a daily basis, and more. We’ll help you
develop your ideas and your creativity, and you can cover multiple
film-making functions such as screenwriting, production
management and editing, or focus on one specialism such as
cinematography or sound recording.
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application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: 200F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 15 January 2016 (UK/EU)
or 31 March 2016 (overseas).
academic entry requirements
| Scottish Higher – three passes or
| Scottish Advanced Higher – two passes or
| A-level – two passes or
| International Baccalaureate – minimum score of 24
with three subjects at Higher level or
| Recognised equivalences
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 across
all parts
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
go online
Watch some of our DFTV students’ short films online at
rcs.ac.uk/dftv
why choose us?
| Access to state-of-the-art technology, including RED One
and RED Epic MX Digital Cinema camera
| Opportunities to develop short film and programme ideas
| The only UK conservatoire offering opportunities to
collaborate with staff and fellow students across dance,
drama, music and production
| Unrivalled professional partnerships including
BBC Scotland, Progressive Broadcast Hire and
Dumbarton Studios
| Learn from award-winning expert staff
| Benefit from workshops and masterclasses from
distinguished industry practitioners who work with
you on a daily basis
graduate destinations
DFTV graduates are employed by major broadcasters, production
companies, and film-makers. Some graduates work freelance for
independent companies or on short film schemes, and some have
gone on to postgraduate study, including with the National Film
and Television School.
Our graduates are highly regarded and in demand. DFTV graduate
paul wright’s first feature film, For Those in Peril, was selected for
the Cannes film festival and chosen to compete in Critics’ Week.
DFTV graduation film Hannah won Best Undergraduate Fiction
award at the 2014 Royal Television Society Awards (Scotland)
and The Groundsman won best fiction film at the 2014 BAFTA
Scotland New Talent awards. Krysty wilson-cairns sold her
science fiction script Aether to a major studio and was named
as one of the UK Stars of Tomorrow by Screen International.
She is currently working on an adaptation for director darren
aronofsky.
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christian Kluxen leading the rcs symphony orchestra rehearsal
why choose us?
| The only degree of its kind in the world
| Excellent staff-student ratio
| Opportunity to study in Glasgow at RCS and in Skye
at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
| Flexible delivery offers you the chance to learn
part-time and from a distance
graduate destinations
The programme will equip you with the skills to design, deliver and
assess educational packages within a range of education contexts
from community workshops to the Higher Education sector.
The final project provides an opportunity for you to synthesise
a deepening understanding of Gaelic culture, your evolving
arts practice and your knowledge and skills as an educator on
a significant, self-generated project under the supervision of a
professional mentor.
application details
Institution code: R58
UCAS Conservatoires code: 0W0F
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 30 April 2016.
academic entry requirements
An undergraduate degree, or international equivalent, in a
subject area relevant to the demands of the programme
Students will be required to demonstrate competence
in Gaelic
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
ma learning and teaching (gaelic arts)
three years, part-time rcs.ac.uk/magaelic
head of programme: Jamie Mackay
This programme is aimed at Gaelic speaking actors, musicians,
singers, fine artists, theatre, film and television professionals,
designers, writers and directors who wish to develop as educators
in a range of contexts. The programme gives you the opportunity
to deepen your understanding of Gaelic culture, develop knowledge,
skills and understanding required to deliver and assess effective
educational experiences, and to design and generate a piece of
work that contributes to the evolution of your area within the
Gaelic arts education sector.
The programme will be delivered predominantly online supported
by a series of face-to-face weekends and short residential periods
at RCS and at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye. This programme is
designed to run on a part-time basis to allow you to maintain
your own professional commitments and to situate a significant
portion of your learning within a work-based context.
programme structure
year one
Your first year centres around two learning and teaching modules,
Approaches to Critical Artistry and The Teaching Artist. The third
module, The Gaelic World, provides an overview of the historical,
geographical, cultural and political context for Gaelic artists.
year two
Your year will begin with the learning and teaching module in
which you will design, deliver and evaluate an education-based
project. The second module of the year, Traditional Culture and
Literature of the Gaels, provides an opportunity to investigate the
wide range of Gaelic source materials that have inspired Gaelic
artists and have helped shape the cultural landscape.
year three
You will study a final module which presents an opportunity
for you to devise, negotiate, undertake and evaluate a major
project designed to synthesise your learning on the previous
modules, progress your development as a Gaelic arts educational
professional and to contribute to the evolution of the Gaelic
cultural landscape.
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carson sinne?
| An aon chùrsa cheum den t-seòrsa sa san t-saoghal
| Àireamhan fàbharach eadar luchd-obrach is oileanaich
| Cothroman ionnsachaidh an Glaschu aig RCS agus
aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
| Teagasg pàirt-ùine is air-astar ri fhaighinn
cinn-uidhe luchd-ceumnachaidh
Anns a’ phrògram seo, ionnsaichidh tu sgilean a leigeas leat
prògraman foghlaim a dhealbhadh a liubhairt is a chleachdadh
ann an caochladh suidheachaidhean foghlaim eadar bùithtean-
obrach coimhearsnachd agus Foghlam Àrd-ìre. Anns a’ phròiseact
dheireannach, cuiridh tu an t-eòlas agad air cultar na Gàidhlig,
an dòigh-obrach ealain agad agus an t-eòlas is na sgilean agad mar
eòlaiche-foghlaim còmhla an lùib a’ phròiseict mhòir fo stiùireadh
neach-stiùiridh proifeiseanta.
fiosrachadh cùrsa
Àireamh ionaid: r58
Àireamh ucas conservatoires: 0w0f
Iarrtasan air-loidhne tro UCAS Conservatoires
www.ucas.com/conservatoires ro 30 Giblean 2016.
teisteanasan inntrigidh
Ceum math, no teisteanas eadar-nàiseanta co-ionnan, ann
an cuspair freagarrach ri obair a’ phrògraim. Feumaidh
oileanaich deagh chomasan Gàidhlig a thaisbeanadh
Ìre 7.5 a rèir International English Language Testing System
(IELTS) (mas iomchaidh) agus 7.5 aig an ìre as lugha a
thaobh labhairt
Bidh sinn a’ gabhail ri caochladh theisteanasan agus
teisteanasan eadar-nàiseanta co-ionnan. An tuilleadh
fiosrachaidh aig dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
ma Ionnsachadh agus teagasg (na h-ealain gàidhlig)
trì bliadhna, pàirt-ùine rcs.ac.uk/magaelic
‘S e cleasaichean, luchd-ciùil, seinneadairean, luchd nan ealain
fhinealta, luchd dràma, film is telebhisein, dealbhadairean,
sgrìobhaichean agus stiùirichean aig a bheil Gàidhlig agus a tha
airson an cuid sgilean foghlaim thar caochlach co-theacsa a
neartachadh a tha fa-near sa phrògram seo. Tha cothrom an
lùib a’ phrògraim airson barrachd eòlais fhaighinn air cultar na
Gàidhlig, airson eòlas, sgilean is tuigse a leasachadh a leigeas leat
foghlam èifeachdach a liubhairt is a sgrùdadh, agus airson pìos
obrach a dhealbhadh is a chruthachadh a chuireas ri leasachadh
do chuid eòlais ann am foghlam ealain na Gàidhlig.
Thèid am prògram a lìbhrigeadh air-loidhne, air sreath thursan
deireadh-seachdain aghaidh-ri-aghaidh agus air greisean còmhnaidh
goirid aig RCS agus aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig san Eilean Sgitheanach.
Tha am prògram air a dhealbhadh gus an tèid agad air d’ obair
phroifeiseanta a ghleidheadh agus gus an tèid cuid mhòr den
ionnsachadh agad a dhèanamh ann an seagh obrach.
structar a’ phrògraim
a’ chiad bhliadhna
Tha a’ chiad bhliadhna agad stèidhichte air dà mhodal ionnsachaidh
is teagaisg: dòighean cleasachd sgrùdail agus an neach-ealain teagaisg.
Anns an treas modal, saoghal na Gàidhlig, thathar a’ sgrùdadh a’
cho-theacsa eachdraidheil, chruinn-eòlaich, chultarail is phoilitigich
dha luchd-ealain Gàidhlig.
an dàrna bliadhna
Anns a’ mhodal ionnsachaidh is teagaisg aig toiseach na bliadhna
sa, bidh thu a’ dealbhadh, a’ liubhairt is a’ sgrùdadh pròiseict
stèidhichte air foghlam. Ann an dàrna modal na bliadhna, Cultar
Dùthchasach agus Litreachas nan Gàidheal, bidh thu a’ rannsachadh
caochladh thùsan Gàidhlig a tha air mac-meanmna luchd-ealain
na Gàidhlig a phiobrachadh agus air cur ris an t-saoghal chultarail.
an treas bliadhna
Gheibh thu cothrom anns a’ mhodal mu dheireadh agad air
pròiseact mòr a dhealbhadh, a rèiteachadh, a chur an gnìomh
agus a sgrùdadh a bheir an t-ionnsachadh agad air na modalan
eile còmhla, a bheir an leasachadh agad mar neach-foghlaim
proifeiseanta sna h-ealain Gàidhlig air adhart agus a chuireas
ri leasachadh saoghal cultarail na Gàidhlig.
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why choose us?
| A unique programme designed specifically for
performing artists and teachers
| Opportunity to upgrade your teaching qualifications
to Masters level
| Personal supervision and mentoring by expert teachers
and artists in the performing arts.
| Opportunities to develop specialist or new skills in
your subject discipline or a related performing arts
subject discipline
| Access to unrivalled performing arts education provision,
facilities, resources and expertise
| Opportunities for artistic and educational collaboration
between teachers and artists
| Excellent staff-student ratio
graduate destinations
This qualification will allow you to pursue opportunities in
performing arts education in a variety of contexts, both discipline
specific or in other arts contexts.
application details
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires online
www.ucas.com/conservatoires by 30 April 2016.
academic entry requirements
An undergraduate degree or international equivalent, in a
subject area relevant to the demands of the programme
International English Language Testing System score (IELTS)
(if applicable) level 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking
We accept a range of qualifications and their international
equivalences. Please email dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
for more information.
med learning and teaching in the performing arts
Subject to validation
two years, full-time three years, part-time rcs.ac.uk/medperformingarts
This programme provides a unique opportunity to both practising
artists and teachers in the performing arts to either upgrade
their teaching qualifications or obtain a postgraduate degree in
learning and teaching that has been designed to develop teaching
skills for the performing arts.
programme structure
full-time
The programme’s design means that working professionals can
still opt for this mode of delivery and complete the programme
in a two-year period. The programme is delivered through a mix
of taught sessions, online workshops and tutorials, independent
learning, personal supervision and work placement. Some of the
taught and online sessions are in the evenings, at weekends and
in summer. You can use your own teaching work and/or work
placement to complete the practical and project elements of the
programme.
part-time
Part-time, the programme is delivered over a three-year period,
through a combination of online workshops, distance and
independent learning, weekend seminars and work placement
or work-based learning.
practical teaching and work placement
In both the full-time and part-time delivery modes of the programme,
the practical teaching, work placement and project elements of
the programme can be negotiated and completed either as part
of your current work commitments, through work placement or
using a wide range of teaching opportunities available across the
extensive performing arts curriculum offered by RCS.
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programme structure
year one
You will be introduced to and engage in an Arts Education
Community of Practice where you will critically examine your
own teaching methods informed by reflection and using a range
of relevant theories, viewpoints and models of learning and teaching
practice to advance skills in teaching and learning in light of new
experiences and understandings.
You will have the opportunity to apply skills, new insights and
understanding to your practice, critically examine their impact
on your learners’ experience and obtain feedback both from tutors
and peers to inform future professional development and practice.
year one/two
You will undertake a work-based learning and teaching project in
your arts subject discipline where you will be required to develop
effective learning environments and approaches to student support
and guidance, design and plan learning activities and/or programmes
of study, teach and support learning, and assess and give feedback
to learners.
Your project will be piloted/delivered with a group of students
studying at SCQF level 7 or above and critically evaluated.
why choose us?
| The programme is designed specifically for individuals
teaching arts subjects at Higher Education level in a
range of contexts including conservatoires, small
specialised HE arts institutions, colleges and
across a range of participatory settings
| The programme is mapped to the UK Professional
Standards Framework (UKPSF) for learning and teaching
in Higher Education
| Successful completion demonstrates that your practice is
aligned to UKPSF. The programme is accredited by the HE
Academy and can lead to attainment of Associate Fellow or
Fellow status. Successful achievement will entitle you to
use post nominal letters (AFHEA or FHEA)
graduate destinations
Successful completion provides evidence of your commitment
to professionalism in teaching and learning in higher education.
Higher Education Academy accreditation is a portable asset, which
has UK-wide relevance and is increasingly recognised by Higher
and Further Education institutions. As a result, achieving the
qualification could help you to:
| Secure full-time teaching posts in both the college
and HE sectors
| Apply for promoted/senior posts in teaching in Higher
Education in both colleges and universities
postgraduate certificate in learning, teaching support and administration in arts education
rcs.ac.uk/pgcert
This postgraduate programme is designed to appeal to drama,
music, fine art, production, design, screen and dance professionals
working within an arts education context and has three distinct
routes, each designed to appeal to a specific educational context
and professional role.
The three routes are:
| Higher Arts Education
| Learning Support and Administration in
Higher Arts Education
| Arts Education
All routes carry 60 SCQF credits at SCQF level 11. On successful
completion, students can use the credits accumulated to progress
to other postgraduate learning and teaching programmes offered
by RCS.
The three PG Certificate routes are detailed below. To find out the
entry requirements for each of the routes, please see
rcs.ac.uk/pgcert
pg cert higher arts education
This programme is for individuals teaching arts programmes
at Higher Education level (SCQF levels 7 to 12, or equivalent)
who wish to professionally develop their learning, teaching and
assessment methods and skills in an arts context. The programme
is mapped to the UK Professional Standards Framework for
learning and teaching in Higher Education (UKPSF) and accredited
by the Higher Education Academy. As a result, successful completion
of the programme can lead to professional recognition by the
Higher Education Academy and attainment of Associate Fellow
or Fellow status.
The programme is delivered part-time, over a 16-month period,
using a blend of face-to-face, online and work-based methods.
The delivery model is designed to create a community of reflective
teaching artists who are encouraged to work both collaboratively
and independently, share effective practice and provide peer
support and evaluation. Face-to-face sessions are built around
weekend seminars hosted at RCS.
Successful applicants are expected to be qualified/experienced
to teach in their arts subject discipline and must be working
in a university/college or other relevant participatory setting,
teaching at SCQF levels 7 or above (or equivalent).
year one/two
You will undertake a work-based administrative or learner support
project in your own arts Higher Education context where you
will be required to:
Administrators: Develop effective administrative systems and
approaches aimed at offering an improved service to learners
and/or other stakeholders. In your project you will be required to
design and plan the enhancement(s) and pilot and critically evaluate
it with learners and/or other stakeholders of your choosing.
Learning support professionals: Develop effective learning support
environments and approaches to learner support, design and plan
learning support activities, support learning, and give feedback
to learners. Your project will be piloted with a group of learners
of your choosing and critically evaluated.
why choose us?
| Designed specifically for administrators and learning
support professionals working in a Higher Arts
Education context
| Enable you to engage with and contribute to an arts
education community and use it to learn from and inform
and evolve your administration/learner support practice
| Credits can be accumulated through participation in
relevant credit-rated short courses
graduate destinations
Successful completion provides evidence of your commitment
to professionalism in administration and/or learner support in
an arts context. As a result, achieving the qualification could
help you to, for example:
| Secure senior administrative/learning support posts
in arts and/or post-16 education
| Apply to become an Associate Fellow of the
Higher Education Academy
pg cert learning support and administration in higher arts education
This programme is for learning support and administration
professionals working in a Higher Education context who wish
to professionally develop their knowledge of Higher Education
and learning and teaching in an arts context in support of quality
enhancement and institutional development.
The programme is delivered part-time, over a 16-month period,
using a blend of face-to-face, online and work-based methods.
The delivery model is designed to create a community of reflective
administrative and learning support practitioners who are part
of a wider arts education community. You will be encouraged to
work independently and collaboratively with other administrators,
learning support professionals, teaching artists and learners
to share effective practice, identify opportunities for quality
enhancement and provide peer support and evaluation. Face-
to-face sessions are built around weekend seminars hosted
at RCS.
Alternatively, the programme can be completed with relevant
credit-rated short courses (further information can be found at
rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses).
Successful applicants are expected to be qualified/experienced
administrators or learning support professionals working in an
arts education setting (e.g. college or Higher Education Institution).
programme structure
year one
You will be introduced to and engage in an Arts Education
Community of Practice where you will critically examine your
own administration/learner support methods and practice
informed by reflection and using a range of relevant policies,
theories, viewpoints and models of learning and teaching practice,
quality assurance and enhancement to gain insight to learner
support and/or quality enhancement in light of new experiences
and understandings. You will have the opportunity to apply new
insights and understanding to your practice, critically examine their
impact on the service you offer to students and other stakeholders
to inform future professional development and practice.
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year one/two
You will undertake a work-based learning and teaching project
in your performing arts subject discipline where you will be
required to develop effective learning environments and approaches
to student support and guidance, design and plan learning activities
and/or programmes of study, teach and support learning, and
assess and give feedback to learners.
Your project will be piloted/delivered with a group of students of
your choosing and critically evaluated.
why choose us?
| Designed specifically for artists who either have as part
of their professional lives, a teaching commitment either
in an arts education context, community context or
participatory setting context or aspire to be teaching artists
| Enables you to engage with and contribute to a teaching
artist community and use it to learn from and inform and
evolve your teaching practice
| Credits can be accumulated through participation in
relevant credit-rated short courses
graduate destinations
Successful completion of this programme provides evidence of
your commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching.
As a result, achieving the qualification could help you to, for
example:
| Secure part-time/full-time teaching posts in
post-16 education
| Secure part-time/full-time and/or project based teaching
work in a host of different arts settings including cultural,
community and other participatory settings
pg cert arts educationThis programme is for artists interested in developing knowledge
and skills in learning and teaching as part of their professional
development or to enhance opportunities to work either formally
or informally as a teaching artist.
The programme is delivered part-time, over a 16-month period,
using a blend of face-to-face, online and work-based methods.
The delivery model is designed to create a community of reflective
teaching artists who are encouraged to work both collaboratively
and independently, share effective practice and provide peer
support and evaluation. Face-to-face sessions are built around
weekend seminars hosted at RCS.
Alternatively, the programme can be completed with relevant
credit-rated short courses (further information can be found at
rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses).
Successful applicants are expected to be qualified/experienced
to teach in their arts subject discipline and must be working either
part-time or full-time as a teaching artist or have access to work
placement to undertake practical elements of the programme.
Assistance can be provided to help students secure relevant
work placements.
programme structure
year one
You will be introduced to and engage in an Arts Education Community
of Practice where you will critically examine your own teaching
methods informed by reflection and using a range of relevant
theories, viewpoints and models of learning and teaching practice
to advance skills in teaching and learning in light of new experiences
and understandings.
You will have the opportunity to apply skills, new insights and
understanding to your practice, critically examine their impact on
your learners’ experience and obtain feedback both from tutors
and peers to inform future professional development and practice.
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RESEARCH
research excellence framework 2014
The work of the Research department has been judged as world
leading and internationally excellent in the latest Research
Excellence Framework results. These national results suggest
RCS research in music and drama has the highest impact of any
higher education institute research in Scotland.
The research submitted in 2014 included professor ros steen’s
research into the human voice, which allowed her to successfully
unlock the expressive potential used by actors on stage. Professor
Steen worked closely with RCS alumnus alan cumming in his
one-man virtuoso show Macbeth to release the full potential of
his voice, as well as the full cast of Black Watch to help them find
authentic voices for this critically acclaimed production.
research
three years, full-timercs.ac.uk/research
head of research: Dr Stephen Broad
It is not enough for our emerging artists to graduate from RCS
equipped for the industries as they stand today: we need to enable
them to develop the skills and attitudes that will let them take
on the world and reshape it, creating new ways of performing,
collaborating and making work. This is why research is central to
and embedded throughout our curriculum, and why we support
our staff to develop cutting edge research in and through the
performing arts. The UK’s recent Research Excellence Framework
exercise (REF 2014) recognised the world-leading research of
our excellent staff, and judged 93% of our research to be of an
international standard.
Wanting to make your mark on the world is a basic artistic impetus,
and the impact of our research on cultural life and arts policy
was also recognised in REF 2014, with some 60% of our research
judged to be world-leading in terms of the reach and significance
of its impact.
A vital part of this work is driven by students following our research
degree programmes. Following an historic agreement between
RCS and the University of St Andrews in 2000, we offer research
degrees leading to the awards of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
and Master of Philosophy (MPhil). Students matriculate at both
institutions and their degrees are validated and awarded by the
University. As well as having access to all the facilities of a modern
international conservatoire, they are able to use the academic
resources of a world-leading ancient university.
Our research degree students are highly professional performers,
practitioners, directors, scholars and composers, all seeking new
ways to develop and contextualise their work while forging ahead
in their particular disciplinary specialism through rigorous, often
practice-based, research. Our vibrant interdisciplinary research
environment includes performing arts education and policy,
Scottish music, historically-informed performance, and a range
of other specialist areas. All are supported in their research by
carefully selected and expert supervision teams, and in project
delivery by the unique resources of the Royal Conservatoire.
Festivals such as Into the New and Plug provide many opportunities
for students to showcase their projects and to engage their fellow
students in the realisation and performance of new work. Previous
research students have been supported in significant artistic
projects such as the mounting of a new fully-staged opera and
the performance of large scale symphonic works.
Find out more about some of our recent research projects at
rcs.ac.uk/exchange
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“Cummings’s grasp of the poetry [of Macbeth] is so complete, and his raw emotional immersion in it is so total, that the audience remains absolutely gripped by the narrative; and unable to resist the sense of being pulled by the story towards the very brink of hell.” Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
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how to apply
Wherever you are in the world, if you believe you have the
talent, dedication and ambition, we encourage you to apply
to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
For undergraduate and postgraduate programmes you must
apply through the UCAS Conservatoires online admissions
service. You will find their website at:
www.ucas.com/conservatoiresOur institution code is R58.
Applications for research are made directly to us; full details
and application forms are available at rcs.ac.uk/research
Before you apply, we strongly recommend visiting us to meet
our staff and students, and see our facilities and environment
at the relevant open day.
Registration is essential for attendance. It opens one month
in advance of each event at rcs.ac.uk/opendays
application closing dates for 2016/17 entry
| All applications for all music undergraduate and music
postgraduate programmes: 1 october 2015
| UK/EU undergraduate applications for dance, drama
production, and screen: 15 January 2016
| Overseas (non-EU) undergraduate applications for
dance, drama, production, and screen: 31 march 2016
| All applications for drama and learning and teaching
postgraduate programmes: 31 march 2016
| All research programmes: 25 January 2016
auditionsAll applications made on time are guaranteed an audition/
interview. Auditions are held at the Royal Conservatoire and
at a number of locations around the UK and overseas. If you’re
applying from outside the UK, we can accept auditions
by recording for performance programmes, and for non-
performance programmes you can submit your portfolio by
post and be interviewed remotely.
entrance requirementsEntrance to RCS is based on talent, potential and ability, so
we will consider relevant experience that may compensate
for any lack of traditional education.
To check the suitability of your qualifications
or experience please email us at
danceadmissions@rcs.ac.uk dramaadmissions@rcs.ac.uk or
musicadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
Individual programmes may have specific entrance requirements,
and you can find these in each programme’s Guide for Applicants
at rcs.ac.uk/apply. We accept a wide range of qualifications,
including international qualifications. If yours isn’t listed
here, please contact us for more information at the above
addresses.
disabilities and medical conditionsWe encourage applicants to disclose disabilities and medical
conditions so we can provide suitable adjustments. If you
declare a disability or medical condition when you apply,
our Counsellor and Disability Adviser, Jane Balmforth, will
get in touch to discuss arrangements to support you at your
audition or interview. For more information please go to
rcs.ac.uk/studyhere
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minimum academic undergraduate entry requirements for all programmes Decisions on offers to programmes will be based on the outcome of an audition, as well as meeting minimum academic entry requirements
award type score required
Scottish Higher 3 passes
A-level 2 passes
International Baccalaureate 24 with 3 subjects at Higher level
We offer a flexible approach to students taking Highers
over more than one academic year and/or who achieve
their qualifications in more than one sitting.
minimum music postgraduate academic entry requirements
award type score required
Undergraduate degree 2:2
minimum drama postgraduate academic entry requirements
award type score required
Undergraduate degree Pass
entrance requirements for Bed music
award type score required
Scottish Higher A in Higher Music plus three others at BBC, one of which
must be Higher English; and Maths at either National 5,
Standard Grade 2, or Intermediate 2 at grade C or above
A-level B in Music plus two additional A-levels at C.
English Language and Literature at GCSE level grade C,
and Maths at GCSE level Grade B
entrance requirements for Ba (hons) contemporary performance practice
award type score required
Scottish Higher 3 passes, one of which must be a pass in English or Drama
A-level 2 passes, one of which must be a pass in English or Drama
minimum requirements for Ba modern Ballet
award type score required
Standard Grade/National 5 National 5s passes in five National 5s or equivalent
Intermediate 1 or 2 5 passes
GCSE (Grades A* - C) 5 GCSE (Grades A*– C) or equivalent
Knowledge of ballet vocabulary to a minimum of RAD
Intermediate level (or equivalent). Appropriate physical
qualities for a career in professional classical dance.
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programme of study minimum Ielts score
All music programmes Level 6.0
(with a minimum score of 5.5 across all components)
BA Production Technology and Management Level 6.5
BA Production Arts and Design (with a minimum score of 5.5 across all components)
BA Digital Film and Television
BA Modern Ballet
BA Acting Level 7.5
BA (Hons) Contemporary Performance Practice (with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking)
BA Musical Theatre Programmes
MA Classical and Contemporary Text
MA Musical Theatre
MEd Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts
english language requirementsIf your first language is not English we require evidence
of your language ability. Our required scores in minimum
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
are listed below. Other equivalent English language
qualifications will be considered – please contact
registry@rcs.ac.uk to check the required score.
tuition feesThe fees listed below are for 2015/16. Tuition fees are given
as guidelines only as they are subject to an annual increase
which is broadly in line with inflation. Please check
rcs.ac.uk/fees for the most up to date information.
For music applicants who narrowly miss our English
language entry requirements we offer a pre-sessional
English language course in partnership with the University
of Glasgow. Please note there is an additional fee for
this course. For further information please email
musicadmissions@rcs.ac.uk
scottish/eu £ rest of uK £ International £
All undergraduate programmes 1,820 9,000 14,838
MMus (Performance/Composition/Conducting) 7,740 7,740 14,838
MA (Performance/Composition/Conducting) 10,503 10,503 17,835
MMus (Opera) Years 1 and 2 8,478 8,478 17,835
MMus (Vocal Studies) Year 1 8,478 8,478 17,835
MA (Opera and Vocal Studies) 11,610 11,610 20,000
MA Musical Theatre 11,610 11,610 17,835
MA Classical and Contemporary Text 11,610 11,610 17,835
MEd Learning and Teaching 7,740 7,740 14,838
PG Certificate 3,672 3,672 7,344
Research (Performance/Composition) Full-time 6,747 6,747 14,838
Research (Performance/Composition) Part-time 3,375 3,375 7,416
Continuing Education per unit 1,323 1,323 2,053
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funding
scottish and eu-based students
The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) will pay
tuition fees for all eligible full-time Scottish-based and other
non-UK undergraduate EU students, who are studying in
Scotland at degree level for the first time. Students should
apply to SAAS for payment of tuition fees even if they are not
applying for any other means of support. Eligible students
can also apply for student loans through SAAS. For further
advice and to check eligibility contact SAAS directly on 0300
555 0505 or visit saas.gov.uk
students from england, wales and northern Ireland
These students are eligible for the same funding/loan package
that they would benefit from if they attended an institution
in their home country.
Please visit gov.uk/studentfinance (England),
studentfinancewales.co.uk (Wales),
studentfinanceni.co.uk (Northern Ireland).
external funding
For more information about alternative funding sources,
including external scholarships and bursaries, please visit
rcs.ac.uk/studyhere. Our International and Student Experience
team are available to advise and assist applicants and current
students about funding your studies at RCS.
Please email studentfinance@rcs.ac.uk or telephone
+44 (0)141 270 8281/+44 (0)141 270 8223 for further information.
scholarships
One third of our incoming undergraduate and postgraduate
students are funded from our annual scholarships fund of
around £1.4 million. Scholarships are awarded primarily on
talent but there is a specific means-tested ‘Rest of the UK
students’ fund for incoming students as well and there is
also a range of bursary support available. Any student from
any country who accepts a place will be considered for a
scholarship based on their talent, potential and financial
need. You will be required to submit a statement of financial
need and may be asked to perform to the scholarship panel
on the day of your audition. If you are successful, you will
receive a separate scholarship notification. A scholarship
award can cover either part or the full cost of tuition fees,
and may include an element for maintenance.
If your scholarship was donated by a trust or private individual,
you may have to meet additional conditions. You will be
required to submit information about yourself such as a
biography and also an end of year progress report. Students
must also list the award in their biography and, on occasion,
attend events where their donors may be present. Every
scholarship student is expected to play a full and active role
in the life of the institution, to act as a good role model
for other students, and to be a good ambassador for RCS.
The RCS Scholarship Fund is supported by the generosity
of many charitable trusts, companies, businesses, individual
members of the public and from bequests, therefore we
ask students not to approach the following organisations
independently:
| ABRSM
| Barcapel
| Cameron Macintosh Foundation
| The Crerar Hotel Trust
| The Cruden Foundation
| John Mather Trust
| RCS Trust
| The Leverhulme Trust
| EMI Music Sound Foundation
| Inches Carr Trust
| Thomas and Margaret Roddan Trust
| The Wolfson Foundation
| Yamaha
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experience the buzz of rcs for yourself. attend an open day and learn more about rcs, tour the campus and student halls, and meet our expert tutors.
Open Days are extremely popular and places are limited.
Registration opens one month in advance.
Reserve your place at rcs.ac.uk/opendays
music – friday 5 June 2015
drama, production and screen – friday 7 august 2015
production and screen – friday 9 october 2015
drama – friday 16 october 2015
modern Ballet – friday 6 november 2015
open days
Short Courses and the Junior Conservatoire at RCS offer
a wide and varied programme of over 200 courses for
children, young people and adults in dance, drama,
music, production and screen.
These courses range from intensive weekend courses,
open access weekly classes, spring and summer schools to
auditioned programmes for the Junior Conservatoire.
Many of our courses are for those who want to study the
performing arts at degree level in the future and provide
excellent opportunities to find out what it’s like to
study at RCS full-time.
To find out more about these opportunities, please see:
rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses rcs.ac.uk/junior
can’t make an open day? Visit us for a tour of RCS at another time of the year.
Tours run most Monday afternoons and Friday mornings.
Get in touch with us at tours@rcs.ac.uk to find out more.
short courses and JunIor conservatoIre
vIsIt us
photo credits
All images unless otherwise stated
© Royal Conservatoire of Scotland / KK Dundas
Page 20 and 21: © Glasgow City Marketing Bureau 2014
Page 22: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2013 – Midnight Moment © Chris Watt
Page 23: Walker looking over Loch Na Keal towards Ben More © Visit Scotland
Page 25: The Nutcracker © Scottish Ballet
Page 36: Laura Margaret Smith © Ga-Ken Wan
Page 48: Second image © Freya Gosnold
Design by www.d8.uk
All details correct at the time of publication, and printed in good faith; all information
is subject to alteration. We reserve the right, without notice to vary the content of
programmes, and modify facilities and arrangements. We are a charity committed to
the achievement of excellence in the performing arts. A company limited by guarantee
reg no 4703 (Scotland) and a charity registered in Scotland no SCO015855.
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