Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

Admission to doctoral level programmes is normally on the basis of a first degree at 2(i) level or higher (or the overseas equivalent) in the relevant subject or a relevant postgraduate qualification. However, where a prospective student lacks a suitable first degree, alternative mechanisms for assessing qualifications and preparedness, reflecting professional or other work experience, may be used. Increasingly the UK research councils in several disciplines require that funded students on doctoral programmes have first completed an approved masters programme that prepares the student for doctoral work. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is committed to the principles of the Accreditation of Prior Learning, including experiential learning, and will bring those to bear on the admissions process for its doctoral students.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must demonstrate an IELTS score of 7.0.

Full details of the English language tests and equivalencies we accept can be found on our English Language Requirements page.

We accept a wide range of qualification, including international qualifications. If you wish to check the suitability of your qualification/experience, please contact us at doctoraladmissions@rcs.ac.uk.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The overriding aim of undertaking PhD and MPhil study is to make an original contribution to knowledge. The programmes do not follow a prescribed course of study but benefit from close supervision and a range of research training that is designed to support the project being undertaken, and provide wider opportunities for professional development as a researcher.

Our vibrant multidisciplinary environment includes performance and new work in dance, drama and music, performing arts education and policy, Scottish music, historically-informed performance, musicology, and a range of other specialist areas.

Following a historic agreement between RCS and the University of St Andrews, we offer research degrees leading to the awards of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil). These programmes are validated and awarded by the University of St Andrews.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers opportunities for suitably qualified students to work towards the achievement of research degrees in appropriate areas of enquiry. Applications will only be successful if it is clear that the proposed research can best be undertaken within a Conservatoire context, in which performance and/or creation is held central.

The specific areas for research degrees are:

The processes and methodologies of developing new performance work (music/drama/music theatre), including collaborative and devised performance
Performance
Musical composition, in all genres, for live, electro-acoustic and mixed media
Scottish music
Methodologies of specialist performance training, including the use of IT
Socio-cultural studies of performance
Performance education and pedagogy

Research degree students do not follow a prescribed course of study, but benefit from close supervision and a range of research training that is designed to support the programme of research being undertaken, and provide wider opportunities for professional development as a researcher. In addition, an external supervisor is normally appointed to provide further support for, and an additional perspective on, your research.

Information for international students

You can find information for international students on our dedicated webpage.

Fees and funding

UK students

9680

International students

22528

For academic year 2025/26:

Full-time:

Home: £9,680

International: £22,528

Part-time:

Home: £4,842

International: £11,266

Please note these fees are subject to change.

You can find out about the funding and scholarships available for studying at RCS by visiting our dedicated page.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

PhD
full time
48 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- Distance learningis available for this qualification
part time
60 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- Distance learningis available for this qualification
MPhil
full time
24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- Distance learningis available for this qualification
part time
48 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- Distance learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name: Admissions
Email: admissions@rcs.ac.uk

Visit website

PhD/MPhil