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
Conducting (Taught)
- Master of Arts
- 1 Years
- Full-Time
- 20 September 2027
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
The application deadline for this programme is 1 December 2026
The MA conducting programme provide you with the comprehensive and integrated training required of a professional conductor. You will concentrate on the technique and craft of conducting through diverse practical experience with the Royal Conservatoire orchestras, our opera department, and various classical and contemporary ensembles.
Our extensive professional links in Glasgow and across Scotland offer unmatched opportunities to work with and observe the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Red Note Ensemble, the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Students at the RCS have masterclasses each year under the guidance of Professor Martyn Brabbins and other conductors with the BBC SSO and RSNO.
Under the guidance of Professor Martyn Brabbins and Conducting Lecturer Michael Bawtree, you will have individual and group lessons, aural classes, discussion forums with industry professionals and the chance to engage with the extensive and varied opportunities that Glasgow – Scotland’s largest and most musically vibrant city – has to offer.
The international deadline for recorded submissions for this programme is the 1st December 2025.
Auditions: Please note, this programme operates a pre-screening audition round.
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
- Conducting
Modules
Course Modules
Principal Study 1 – 80 Credits
-
Group/Individual Conducting Lessons
-
Assessed Portfolio of Conducting Work
Supporting Studies 1 – 30/20/10 Credits
- Negotiated departmental activities, such as conductors’ ensemble, masterclasses, repertoire classes and external projects
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
Negotiated Study – 60 Credits
- Individual Composition, Performance or Academic Project
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-conducting/#programme-structure
Assessment method
Please see our course webpage for more information.
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:
- 840F
- 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
- Portfolio
- After making an application through UCAS, applicants should submit a video recording via Acceptd, by the relevant deadline date for shortlisting. Your video footage should be: *Between 20-25 minutes *Include extracts from at least two contrasting works showing you in rehearsal and performance
- Audition
- If successfully recalled, live auditions only take place in Glasgow. Applicants will normally be required to conduct a work with piano as part of this process.
- Interview
- The interview will be held by members of the audition panel. It will explore your understanding of the demands of the programme, knowledge of repertoire, aspects of performance practice, performance experience and attitudes, and professional aspirations. You may also be invited to talk about the recording you have submitted. You may also be given a sight reading piece as part of this process, depending on your principal study department(s). Successful candidates will show potential to develop their beliefs and skills through the programme.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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) |
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 |
|---|---|
| Recording | Not available at this location |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording | Not Applicable |
Additional Information
All applicants need to complete an Acceptd account profile and application, this is part of the audition process (https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs) and needs to be completed once your UCAS application has been submitted. Final round auditions will only take place in Glasgow. For more information, please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/mmus-ma-conducting/.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
* 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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