Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
UCAS Code: 250F | Bachelor of Music (with Honours) - BMus (Hon)
Entry requirements
A level
Passes in two subjects at GCE Advanced level Recommended Subjects are: • History at Advanced level • English at Advanced level • The study of Gaelic and/or another European language at least to GCSE
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
minimum score of 24 with 3 subjects at Higher Level
Scottish Higher
Passes in three subjects at Higher level Recommended subjects are: • History at Higher • English at Higher • The study of Gaelic and/or another European language at least to National 4/5 or Standard Grade
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About this course
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 worlds 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, places emphasis on the creative development of the individual and allows the curriculum to be relevant to aspiring musicians from anywhere in the world. We have welcomed students from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and from as far afield as Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong.
**Please note, the international deadline for this programme is the 1st December 2024, but we would encourage applicants to apply by the 2nd October 2024 to be guaranteed consideration for the first round of scholarship**
Modules
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website.
Assessment methods
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website.
Tuition fees
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Extra funding
Within the School of Music, the majority of scholarship awards are made following our audition period 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.
You can find out about the funding and scholarships available for studying at RCS by visiting our dedicated page: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/finance/feesandfunding/
The Uni
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
School of Music
What students say
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Music
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Music
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Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Music
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£16k
£19k
£21k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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