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Jazz (Taught)

Course details
  • Master of Music
  • 2 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Postgraduate
Course location
Main Site
Course scheme
UCAS Conservatoires

Course summary

The MMus Jazz programme is a specialist pathway designed for students interested in furthering their development in jazz at the postgraduate level. This programme accommodates performers, writers, and arrangers. The tailored course fits individual needs and requirements, allowing students to focus on specific areas of interest and specialisms. Regular one-to-one lessons centred on a principal study instrument support students in maximising their skills and potential. Additional one-to-one lessons are available for those interested in developing a second instrument. Concert series and masterclasses also give students excellent exposure and regular opportunities to perform with tutors, guest performers, and jazz orchestras.

The strong connections between RCS and external professional organisations prepare our students to contribute to vibrant jazz scenes across Scotland and beyond. Participating in the greater jazz community widens our students’ prospects, supporting their transitions into the professional jazz scene.

Auditions
Applicants to this programme will go through a two stage process. First round, is a recorded submission, including specified repertoire, via the accetpd platform. Second round is a live audition. Please see our website for more information on what to prepare.

Please note, the international deadline for this programme is the 1st December 2026, but we would encourage applicants to apply early where possible.

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
  • Clarinet (Jazz)
  • Double Bass (Jazz)
  • Drumkit (Jazz)
  • Electric bass (jazz)
  • Flute (Jazz)
  • Guitar (Jazz)
  • Piano (Jazz)
  • Saxophone (Jazz)
  • Trombone (Jazz)
  • Trumpet (Jazz)
  • Vibraphone (Jazz)
  • Violin (Jazz)
  • Voice (Jazz)

Modules

Course Modules

MMus Stage 1

Principal Study 1 – 80 Credits (H5)

  • Individual instrumental/vocal lessons

  • 2-3 negotiated performance assessments

Graduate Studies 1 – 30/20/10 Credits

  • Negotiated departmental activities, such as ensembles, rehearsals, masterclasses and concerts

Practice Research – 10 Credits

  • Research project

Options – 0/10/20 Credits

  • Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music, School of Stage and Screen and School of Dance

MMus Stage 2

Principal Study 2 – 90 Credits

  • Individual instrumental/vocal lessons

  • 2-3 negotiated performance assessments

Graduate Studies 2 – 30/20/10 Credits

  • Negotiated departmental activities, such as ensembles, rehearsals, masterclasses and concerts

Options – 0/10/20 Credits

  • Range of optional classes drawn from School of Music, School of Stage and Screen and School of Dance

https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-jazz/#programme-structure

Assessment method

More information about what the course entails 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:
808F
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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

Additional entry requirements

Audition
Applicants will go through a two round process, with the first round being a recorded submission. Please refer to our departmental website page for information on what to prepare for audition. This can be found under the 'how to apply' section: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-jazz/
Interview
You will be required to take part in an interview as part of your second round audition.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)66.0 with no component below 5.5
TOEFL (iBT)80Overall score of 80, with minimum scores of: Reading – 18, Listening – 17, Speaking – 20, Writing – 17
PTE Academic59Overall score of 59 with a minimum of 59 in all components (reading, listening, speaking, writing)
Cambridge English AdvancedOverall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all components
Cambridge English ProficiencyOverall 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

LocationOn-time Fee
Recording £65
RCS (Glasgow) £65

Joint principal specialism assessment

LocationOn-time Fee
RecordingNot Applicable
RCS (Glasgow)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 (https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs) and needs to be completed once your UCAS application has been submitted. All second round live auditions will be scheduled through the Acceptd platform. If you don't have an acceptd application, we won't be able to audition you. For the best audition experience, we would encourage all UK applicants (and where possible international applicants) to attend in-person. You can view the audition requirements and what to prepare for this course at the following page on our website: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-jazz/

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£13707*
EU & International£29786*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

Please note, all new students are required to pay associated programme cost related fees at the start of their studies.

For more information on fees, funding and scholarship, please see our website.

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.

https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/

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