Music Performance and Musicology (Taught)

The MMus in Performance and Musicology is intended for highly skilled instrumentalists and singers who wish to pursue academic research into music and musical practices alongside advanced study in performance.

Individual lessons in the principal study are at the heart of the degree, supported by a wide range of performance based activities within the the rich musical environment of the RCS. The Musicology module will introduce you to the study of music as a scholarly endeavour, with a particular emphasis on historiography, aesthetics and criticism, and editorial techniques. The programme culminates in a number of assessed public performances, alongside a written dissertation on a self-chosen issue, source or repertory related to the your principal study.

• You’ll experience the highest-quality individual tuition from expert teachers who are active professionals in their field. Our small class sizes offer you maximal access to practice facilities and ensembles.
• You’ll study in one of the most multi-disciplinary conservatoires in the world, with opportunities to collaborate with performing artists from across RCS.
• You'll be part of a thriving scholarly community, alongside staff and doctoral students delivering new insights and innovation in music, stage, screen, production and education.

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.

This programme is subject to validation for Academic Year 2026-2027

Please see our website for more informatoin

Please see our website for more informatoin