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
Traditional Music
- Bachelor of Music (with Honours)
- 4 Years
- Full-Time
- 20 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
- Course scheme
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
Aspiring performers on this course explore Scotland’s unique and dynamic musical traditions as a conceptual, critical and creative framework within which to achieve a distinctively personal voice as an artist. This is interwoven with a solid basis in contemporary and eclectic performance practice.
Our curriculum recognises that the innovative nature of Scottish traditional music today must be embraced, and that the creative development of the individual is the most important way to ensure traditional music flourishes from one generation to another.
You can expect to learn in a busy department where your musical roots and creative artistry will be nurtured and developed through one-to-one tuition, academic context, performance opportunities, masterclasses and lots of ensemble work, all aimed at helping you fulfil your potential.
The programme offers the following Principal Studies:
*Accordion
*Cello
*Fiddle
*Flute/Whistle
*Gaelic song
*Guitar
*Percussion (pipe band snare drum, bodhran)
*Piano
*Scots song
*Scottish Harp (normally gut-strung)
You will work closely with some of the world’s top solo and collaborative teachers and performers to consolidate your performance technique, repertoire and personal style as a traditional musician, interwoven with development as a critical, creative, entrepreneurial and/or teaching artist. This includes exploring both the distinctive parameters of folk and traditional music and the shared technical vocabulary that links folk to other genres. External learning opportunities include an Isle of Skye residency, teaching placements and work placements in Scotland and overseas, as well as appearances at high-profile events, including Glasgow’s renowned Celtic Connections and Piping Live! Festivals.
The BMus with Honours (Traditional Music) places emphasis on the creative development of the individual and allows the curriculum to be relevant to aspiring musicians from anywhere in the world.
Please note, the international deadline for this programme is the 1st December 2026, but we would encourage applicants to apply early where possible.
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
- Bodhran
- Button Accordion (Traditional Music)
- Cello (Traditional Music)
- Fiddle
- Flute (Traditional Music)
- Gaelic Song
- Guitar (Traditional Music)
- Piano (Traditional Music)
- Piano Accordion (Traditional Music)
- Pipe Band Snare Drum
- Scots Song
- Scottish Harp
- Whistle
Modules
Course Modules
Year 1
Performance 1: 60 Credits
-
Principal Study one-to-one lessons
-
Principal Study Groups
-
Dept-wide Performance Class
-
Technique Classes
-
Folk Ensemble Level 1
-
Trad Musicianship 1
-
Healthy Practice Seminars
-
Critical Programme Notes
Concepts in Traditional Music: 10 Credits
-
ePortfolio of Research Tasks
-
Pecha Kucha Presentation
Creative Skills in Traditional Music 1: 10 Credits
-
Traditional Music Theory Exam
-
Composition Folio of Tunes
Scottish Traditional Repertoire 1: 10 Credits
-
Performance
-
Programme Notes
Introduction to Professional Skills for Musicians: 10 Credits
- ePortfolio
Music Leadership: 10 Credits
- Group Delivery of Activity and Supporting Reflection
Creative Citizenship: 10 Credits
- Collaborative Creative Presentation
Year 2
Performance 2: 60 Credits
-
Principal Study one-to-one lessons
-
Principal Study Groups
-
Dept-wide Performance Class
-
Technique Classes
-
Folk Ensemble Level 2
-
Trad Musicianship 2
-
Healthy Practice Seminars
-
Critical Programme Notes
Traditional Music Research Portfolio: 10 Credits
-
ePortfolio of Research Tasks
-
Presentation
Creative Skills in Traditional Music 2: 10 Credits
-
Portfolio of Multi-Instrumental Compositions
-
Continuous Observation
Scottish Traditional Repertoire 2: 10 credits
-
Performance
-
Programme Notes
Peak Performance Training: 10 credits
-
Continuous Observation
-
Portfolio of class tasks, rationale and development plan
The Teaching Musician: 10 Credits
- Video Documentation and Supporting Materials
Option module: 10 credits
Year 3
Performance 3: 60 Credits
-
Principal Study one-to-one lessons
-
Principal Study Groups
-
Dept-wide Performance Class
-
Technique Classes
-
Folk Ensemble Level 3
-
Professional Skills and Standards
-
Gaelic for Fèisean
-
Critical Programme Notes
Minor Research Project: 10 Credits
-
ePortfolio of Project
-
Presentation
Scottish Traditional Repertoire 3: 10 credits
-
Performance
-
Programme notes
The Freelance Musician: 10 Credits
- Portfolio
Contextual elective: 10 credits
Musicianship elective: 10 credits
Option module: 10 Credits
Year 4
Performance 4: 60 Credits
-
Principal Study one-to-one lessons
-
Principal Study Groups
-
Dept-wide Performance Class
-
Technique Classes
-
Professional Skills and Standards
-
Viva examination
Major Research Project: 20 credits
-
EPortfolio of project
-
Presentation
Professional Development Options: 20 credits
IXP and Electives: 20 credits
Assessment method
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website.
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:
- 250F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelA*-E
Passes in two subjects at A Level
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HigherA-D
Passes in three subjects at Higher level
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme45-24
minimum score of 24 with 3 subjects at Higher Level
For further information, or alternative qualifications that we accept, please visit the weblink.
Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Applications for direct entry beyond Year 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Royal Conservatoire’s Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning policy. Please email admissions@rcs.ac.uk for more information. https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/bmus-traditional-music/#entry-requirements
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- A strong indication of potential is sought at the entrance audition for this programme. You can apply and audition without having obtained any performance grades, however as an indication only, applicants are normally expected to have reached a high standard in their playing. Details of what to prepare for your audition are listed on our webpage. Please ensure you read this to get the most out of your audition experience.
- Interview
- You will be required to take part in an interview as part of the audition process. For those auditioning live in-person, this will be part of your audition timeslot. For those who have submitted a recorded audition, may be asked to interview live online at the discretion of the department.
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 |
|---|---|
| Recording | Not available at this location |
| RCS (Glasgow) | Not available at this location |
Joint principal specialism assessment
| Location | On-time Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording | Not Applicable |
| RCS (Glasgow) | 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. Applicants submitting performance recordings via our Acceptd platform, may be asked to a follow-up live online interview with the department you are applying for. For the best audition experience, we would encourage all UK applicants (and where possible international applicants) to attend in person. You can view the audition requirements and what to prepare for this course at the following page on our website: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/bmus-traditional-music/.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £9790* | |
| Scotland | £1820* | |
| EU & International | £29786* |
* 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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