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
Opera (Taught)
- Advanced Artist Diploma
- 1 Years
- Full-Time
- 20 September 2027
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
- Awarded by:
- University of St Andrews
Course summary
This bespoke one-year programme, delivered in collaboration with Scottish Opera, offers a learning and performance experience responsive to the needs of singers focused on entering the professional world. It 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.
The Advanced Artist Diploma is a doctoral level award validated by the University of St Andrews at SCQF level 12, equivalent to level 8 on the FHEQ.
Auditions
Due to the nature of the programme, all applicants must audition in person at one of our audition locations. 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 relevant deadlines.
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.
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
- Voice (Alto/Mezzo) Opera
- Voice (Bass/Bar) Opera
- Voice (Counter-Tenor) Opera
- Voice (Soprano) Opera
- Voice (Tenor) Opera
Modules
Course 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
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:
- 447F
- 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
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 |
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 |
|---|---|
| RCS (Glasgow) | £65 |
| Seoul | £65 |
| City of London | £65 |
| Los Angeles | £65 |
| Chicago | £65 |
| New York | £65 |
| Qingdao | £65 |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| RCS (Glasgow) | Not Applicable |
| Seoul | Not Applicable |
| City of London | Not Applicable |
| Los Angeles | Not Applicable |
| Chicago | Not Applicable |
| New York | Not Applicable |
| Qingdao | 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 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
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £14861* | |
| EU & International | £30630* |
* 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.
Related courses
At Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
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