Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:admissions@rcs.ac.uk
Phone:0141 332 4101
Fax: 0141 332 8901
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB
Music Performance (Taught)
- Advanced Postgraduate Diploma
- 1 Years
- Full-Time
- 20 September 2027
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music is designed to allow students with existing masters qualifications to progress further within their discipline. You will have the opportunity to extend and deepen your skills, knowledge and understanding in and through performance within a rich conservatoire environment.
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma is available to performers in the following disciplines:
-
All string, woodwind and brass instruments, solo, chamber or orchestral
-
Timpani and percussion, including marimba
It is not available for Conducting, Composition, or Piano for Dance.
Overseas Applicants
We will be holding auditions at venues across the world, but audition requirements AND application deadline dates will change depending on your principal study and where you are applying to. We will be operating a pre-screening process for some instrumental departments. Full information on our locations, dates and requirements can be found on our website. Please check this prior to applying.
All international applicants and those that are submitting a recording must also include a spoken introduction recording that is separate from your instrumental performance. This must be submitted to your Acceptd application by the relevant application deadline for where you are auditioning.
All recorded submissions should contain a spoken introduction in English. Please tell us:
-
Your name
-
A bit about your musical background and training you’ve had till now
-
Your musical ambitions
-
Your reasons for applying to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
-
This video should be no longer than 3 minutes long and separate to your performance video
Our overseas auditions will consist of one panel member and will also be recorded for review by the relevant department.
• Please note for live overseas auditions, we cannot guarantee that a member of our teaching staff for your specific discipline will be on the panel.
• All applicants will need to provide their own instruments (except piano).
• All applicants will need to provide their own accompanist for overseas auditions.
Course details
Principal study options
During the application and audition process, you must select which instrument(s) you wish to specialise in for the duration of your course. On this course, you can choose from the following options:
Instrument/specialisms
For all courses, you must select at least one specialism from the 'primary' list. For those studying primary/secondary pathways, two instruments may be selected – one from the 'primary' list and one from the 'secondary' list. Joint pathway students may select any two instruments from either list.
Primary instrument/specialism
- Accordion (classical)
- Bassoon
- Bodhran
- Button Accordion (Traditional Music)
- Cello
- Cello (Jazz)
- Cello (Traditional Music)
- Clarinet
- Clarinet (Jazz)
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Double Bass (Jazz)
- Drumkit (Jazz)
- Electric bass (jazz)
- Euphonium
- Fiddle
- Flute
- Flute (Jazz)
- Flute (Traditional Music)
- Gaelic Song
- Guitar (Classical)
- Guitar (Jazz)
- Guitar (Traditional Music)
- Harp
- Harpsichord
- Horn (French)
- Horn (Tenor)
- Mandolin (Traditional Music)
- Oboe
- Organ
- Percussion (Orchestral) & Timpani
- Piano
- Piano (Jazz)
- Piano (Traditional Music)
- Piano Accordion (Traditional Music)
- Pipe Band Snare Drum
- Saxophone (Alto)
- Saxophone (Jazz)
- Scots Song
- Scottish Harp
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Jazz)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Trumpet (Jazz)
- Tuba
- Vibraphone (Jazz)
- Viola
- Violin
- Violin (Jazz)
- Voice (Alto)
- Voice (Baritone)
- Voice (Bass)
- Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Voice (Contralto)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor)
- Voice (Jazz)
- Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano)
- Voice (Tenor)
- Whistle
Modules
Course Modules
Advanced Principal Study
-
40.5 hours of principal study tuition and supporting study classes each academic year
-
A range of assessment options including public performances, recordings, and individual negotiated projects
Advanced Graduate Studies
- You will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of departmental activities with the Conservatoire
Options
- Modules to broaden or compliment your studies
Professional Development
- The module, unique to this programme, invites you to articulate a critical and reflective position on your continuing studies in relation to your transition into the profession
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/advanced-pgdip-music/#programme-structure
Assessment method
More information about what the course entails across the programme can be found on our website.
How to apply
If you are an international applicant, or you are applying for a postgraduate course, or are choosing certain assessment locations, the 'on time' deadline may be later in the year - please contact the conservatoire directly.
Apply by
1 October 2026
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 445F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
Bachelor Degree
Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters degree in Music, or its overseas equivalent.
Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters Degree in Music.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Typical qualification requirements
Bachelor Degree 2:2
Candidates are normally expected to hold a Masters degree in Music, or its overseas equivalent.
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Should you apply on time, an audition time slot will be sent to you via Acceptd. You must create an Acceptd account regardless of your audition location. Through audition, applicants will be required to demonstrate: - a high degree of technical competency on the instrument or voice in the service of specific repertoire - an ability to demonstrate a considerable degree of understanding of the repertoire performed - an ability to perform specific repertoire convincingly - a considerable degree of self-confidence and creativity with respect to the repertoire performed - a degree of self-sufficiency, initiative and independence in selecting, preparing and performing - a particular programme - a developing musical personality Successful candidates will show potential to develop their beliefs and skills through the programme.
- Interview
- An interview will form part of your audition; this is a chance for the panel to find out more about you and is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the programme.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | 6.0 with no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 80 | Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening – 17, Speaking – 20, Writing – 17 |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing) |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components |
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-requirements/
Assessment locations
In the event of a successful assessment, applicants may be invited for a further interview prior to being made an offer.
Remote assessment recordings may be accepted in the event that you cannot attend an assessment in person.
Single specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording | Not available at this location |
| RCS (Glasgow) | Not available at this location |
| Singapore | Not available at this location |
| Qingdao | Not available at this location |
| Seoul | Not available at this location |
| New York | Not available at this location |
| Los Angeles | Not available at this location |
| Chicago | Not available at this location |
| Toronto | Not available at this location |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording | Not Applicable |
| RCS (Glasgow) | Not Applicable |
| Singapore | Not Applicable |
| Qingdao | Not Applicable |
| Seoul | Not Applicable |
| New York | Not Applicable |
| Los Angeles | Not Applicable |
| Chicago | Not Applicable |
| Toronto | Not Applicable |
Additional Information
All applicants need to complete an Acceptd account profile and application regardless of which location you choose, this is part of the audition process. All live in-person auditions will be scheduled through the Acceptd platform. If you don't have an acceptd application, we won't be able to audition you. You can view the audition requirements and what to prepare for this course on the relevant programme page on our website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Fees are variable depending on the mode of study. Please consult the Conservatoire's website for more information: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/fees/
Please note, all new students are required to pay associated programme cost related fees at the start of their studies.
Sponsorship information
Music Scholarships
Within the School of Music, the majority of scholarship awards are made following an audition and offer of a place at the RCS. Scholarships are made based on ability and potential with some for financial need. Many School of Music scholarships are made for the duration of the programme. There is no separate scholarship application for the School of Music as everyone is automatically considered.
Related courses
At Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
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