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
Production (Design) (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 31 March 2027
Theatre production requires much more than just being skilled in your own discipline. There is a complex web of social, political and ethical considerations that must be embraced to ensure you are in the best position to collaborate in your chosen role. Our MA/MFA Production (Design/Management) programme is for those seeking to further enhance their skills as stage or production managers, or as lighting, sound, or set and costume designers through an exploration of individual and collaborative practice.
Collaboration is at the centre of our philosophy. Having entered the programme with the core specialist skills required to fulfil the role of a designer or a manager, you will be introduced to other priorities which will inform and enhance your production practice within the context of the ensemble as part of a cohort of emerging artists.
To enhance your contribution to the ensemble, you will also follow an individually negotiated programme of skills development, creating your own pathway through the degree and empowering you to take full advantage of opportunities for personal development, research, ensemble activities, work placements, and live production roles along the way.
You will have agency over your work and will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning. With support from the staff team, you will write personal learning goals to help determine your trajectory and empowering you to flourish as both a learner and a creative practitioner.
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
- Lighting Design
- Set and Costume Design
- Sound Design
Modules
Course Modules
Terms 1 & 2
The first part of the programme is designed to introduce the philosophy of the programme and the core values of the Conservatoire through engagement in a series of seminars and workshop on subjects such as:
-
The Ensemble
-
Collaborative practice
-
Sustainable theatre practices
-
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
-
Inclusive practice
-
Dramaturgy
-
Digital literacy
As part of an ongoing personal development portfolio, you will reflect on your existing skills and knowledge and consider your professional development goals and desired learning objectives.
The second part of the term one and the start of term two will be individually scheduled to address your subject-based skills development needs and to facilitate a work placement opportunity either externally in a professional environment or on an RCS production, where available.
After this you will have the opportunity to engage in a practise based collaborative opportunity to produce new work, either alongside peers in the Conservatoire or with external partners as negotiated. This work may be shared publicly as part of a digital festival of work through the RCS website. You may also use this time to complete an academic research proposal if preferred.
Terms 3 & 4
Having focussed on skills development in terms one and two, you will spend the next two terms working in collaboration with our MA/MFA Classical and Contemporary Text acting and directing students, taking appropriate roles on the public stage productions in Chandler Studio Theatre.
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ma-mfa-production/#programme-structure
Assessment method
Please see our departmental web page for more information about the course.
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
13 January 2027
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:
- 206F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
You should have evidence of extensive practical experience in your specialism in a realised stage environment, either through a degree in a related subject or through previous work opportunities, or both. You should have strong, established skills in your specialist area and be ready to explore these skills further, both independently and as part of an ensemble alongside other emerging creative collaborators. You should be passionate about stage production and the possibilities of collaborative, inclusive and sustainable theatre practise.
Applicants should have:
Evidence of extensive practical experience in your specialism in a realised stage environment, either through a degree in a related subject or through previous work opportunities, or both.
Strong, established skills in your chosen specialism and be ready to explore these skills further, both independently and as part of an ensemble alongside other emerging creative collaborators.
You should be creative, curious and passionate about stage production in the context of collaborative, inclusive and sustainable theatre practise.
All on time applicants will be interviewed. The interview will take place in person, where possible, and will focus on your practical experience, evidenced through a portfolio of work including a 1000-word reflective statement outlining your academic and professional achievements and goals. Where necessary an online interview can be arranged, in which case, all portfolio materials should be digitised and submitted in advance. https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ma-mfa-production/#entry-requirements
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- All on time applicants will be interviewed. The interview will take place in person, where possible, and will focus on your practical experience, evidenced through a portfolio of work including a 1000-word reflective statement outlining your academic and professional achievements and goals. Where necessary an online interview can be arranged, in which case, all portfolio materials should be digitised and submitted in advance.
- Portfolio
- Each candidate is seen as an individual, and a holistic view is taken of your unique mix of qualities; therefore, the panel will be most interested to see any evidence of interests or experience to-date. Due to time restrictions, the panel will wish to see quality rather than quantity, so pick examples of your work that best illustrate your suitability for the programme. Your portfolio of work should evidence your suitability for study in you chosen specialism and take any form you chose.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.5 | 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.5 in speaking and no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 102 | Overall score of 102, with minimum scores of: Reading -18, Listening -17, Speaking -27, Writing -17 |
| PTE Academic | 76 | Overall score of 76 with a minimum of 76 in speaking and 59 in all other components (reading, listening, writing) |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 |
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) | Not available at this location |
| Online | Not available at this location |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| RCS (Glasgow) | Not Applicable |
| Online | Not Applicable |
Additional Information
All applicants are required to create an Acceptd profile and application (https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs) at the point of submitting their UCAS application, regardless of which audition location you have selected. A portfolio of work for your specialism will need to be submitted via Acceptd, prior to your audition date. Once we receive your application we will email you with details of your audition. For the best audition experience, we would encourage all UK applicants (and where possible international applicants) to attend in-person.
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
Stage & Screen Scholarships
The School of Stage and Screen scholarships are awarded for a mixture of financial need and merit. Scholarships are applied for and awarded on an annual basis. If you are offered a place at the Conservatoire, you will be sent the relevant link to apply for a Scholarship.
Related courses
At Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Like this page