Production (Technology and Management)

The application deadline for this programme is 31 March 2027

Study a highly practical degree with a timetable that provides the space to learn and experiment alongside a production calendar reflective of industry practice, helping you build the skills and stamina to thrive in a challenging yet rewarding career.

Production consists of both the BA Production Technology and Management and the BA Production Arts and Design programmes. Production students work closely with each other in the classroom and on RCS productions.

This is the only conservatoire-based technical theatre degree in Scotland. Through the programme we aim to produce production technicians, stage managers and lighting designers who can turn their hands to any related role. This makes our students employable in a range of contexts, whilst also being specialists in their chosen career pathways.

We’ll help you create your own pathway through the programme, focusing on your main area of interest. You will learn to work creatively, as an individual, as part of a production team and in collaboration with other students of all disciplines.

RCS is a major public performance 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.

We work closely with industry partners to ensure the programme is current, competitive, and aligned to the highest professional standards so you can build the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to fully engage in your future career. We have close working relationships with the Scottish national performance companies, as well as many other performing arts and live events organisations across Scotland, the UK and internationally. Our graduates will aim to become the creative leaders and innovators of the future and are encouraged to push boundaries and create new standards of practice in the wider industry.

Audition Information
Prior to attending the interview (in-person or online), you are required to set up an Acceptd account and complete the set pre-interview tasks. It is important that you show us your previous work (portfolio) as well as your response to these tasks. Without this information, we will not be able to proceed with the interview.

The tasks below must be completed a minimum of five working days before your interview.

We do not offer deferred entry to this degree programme

Course Modules

Year 1

Your first year will focus on production skills and knowledge through a range of classroom, workshop and venue-based experiences including allocated assistant roles in each core area on RCS productions (e.g. Assistant Stage Manager, Assistant Electrician).

You will engage with a broad-based introduction to the production environment and standard practices both in core subjects and other related areas. In Personal and Professional Practice modules you will investigate and analyse the importance of key issues such as creative and cultural context, equality and diversity awareness, and the importance of health and safety.

You will also investigate the collaborative nature of production and performance and meet year one students from across RCS to discuss social priorities important to all creative arts disciplines.

Year 2

You will be allocated production roles, with increasing levels of responsibility focusing on your specialist subject area.

You will receive advanced teaching in the key areas of your specialism and learn integral skills such as management and communication. As you learn you will be allocated more senior roles on RCS productions (e.g. Stage Manager, Production Electrician).

You will also engage with Interdisciplinary and Extended Practice (IXP) modules where you can choose from a range of modules on offer from programmes across the institution.

Year 3

In your final year, you are expected to perform with autonomy, applying your education and the specialist skills you have gained in senior roles on RCS productions. Staff take more of a mentoring role as we expect you to operate autonomously and seek advice when needed.

You will negotiate your individual pathway in your final year to take advantage of available production roles, IXP modules and work placement opportunities.

https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ba-production-technology-management/#programme-structure

Work is assessed through staff observations of your practice. Reflective journals and summary statements form a key component of assessment in Personal and Professional Development modules.

There is a strong emphasis on the assessment of process so paperwork generated in each practical role is used as evidence of your growing understanding of the production process and your role within it.