Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB
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Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:admissions@rcs.ac.uk
Phone:0141 332 4101
Fax: 0141 332 8901
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Opera (Taught)
- AAD
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- 07/09/2026
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
- Awarded by:
- University of St Andrews
Course summary
New for 2026, this bespoke one-year programme (SCQF Level 12), delivered in collaboration with Scottish Opera (www.scottishopera.org.uk), gives you the opportunity to appear in a production with a UK national company as the culmination of your studies. You will work with some of the world’s finest coaches in vocal technique and stagecraft, across a high-level programme of intensive learning designed to prepare you for professional success. This programme offers a learning and performance experience responsive to the needs of singers focused on entering the professional world.
The RCS Opera and Vocal Performance Departments are made up of experienced and distinguished teachers and practitioners, and a wide range of visiting coaches, conductors, directors and guest artists who will provide a constant source of external stimuli to support your learning.
Auditions
Due to the nature of the programme, all applicants must audition in person at one of our audition locations listed below. We cannot accept recorded only submissions for this programme.
We are operating a pre-screening process for all audition locations. There are set audition requirements for the recording to be submitted for the pre-screening process, which can be found on our website. All videos must be uploaded to your Acceptd application before the below deadlines.
For in-person auditions in Glasgow, London, Seoul and Qingdao: UCAS Conservatoire applications and Acceptd submissions must be submitted by the deadline of 2nd October 2025.
For live in-person auditions for Los Angeles, Chicago and New York: UCAS Conservatoire applications and Acceptd submissions must be submitted by the deadline of 1st December 2025.
Further details of specific dates and venue locations can be found on the RCS Advanced Artist Diploma in Opera webpage, under the 'How to apply' section. Please note, our locations are subject to change at short notice. If you choose a location that becomes unavailable we will be in touch on how to proceed.
This programme is subject to validation for Academic Year 2026-2027
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:
Main specialism
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
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
- Voice (Alto/Mezzo) Opera
- Voice (Bass/Bar) Opera
- Voice (Counter-Tenor) Opera
- Voice (Soprano) Opera
- Voice (Tenor) Opera
Modules
Please see our website for more information about the programme
Assessment method
Please see our website for more information about the programme
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
2 October
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:
- 447F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Currently around 20% of our students come from outside the UK. Between them, they represent over 55 different nationalities and add a rich diversity to the Conservatoire. To find out more please visit: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/
Entry requirements
Candidates for the Advanced Artist Diploma (Opera) are normally expected to hold an existing Masters degree in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme, or its overseas equivalent.
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Pre-screening Recording: Applicants will need to submit 3 contrasting arias, one of which should be in English or English translation. If successfully recalled, then applicants will be updated with further information at this time.
- Interview
- An interview will form part of the live in-person auditions.
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 |
More information about our language requirements can be found at the weblink. https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-requirements/
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/
All new students are required to pay associated programme cost related fees at the start of their studies.
Please note, all tuition fees per year are subject to an annual review.
Sponsorship information
Please note, this programme is not eligible for Government Funding suppport, and should be self-funded.
Within the School of Music, the majority of scholarship awards are made in January 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.
More information can be found at: www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/
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