Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:admissions@rcs.ac.uk
Phone:0141 332 4101
Fax: 0141 332 8901

The application deadline for this programme is 31st May 2026
This part-time 180-credit programme provides a unique opportunity for arts educators to upgrade their teaching qualifications and obtain a Masters, which has been specifically designed to develop teaching skills for the arts. It is delivered on a part-time basis with a mix of face-to-face and online sessions, one-to-one tutorials and independent study. Students further afield have the option to study the programme fully online, accessing the face-to-face sessions through a video conferencing platform.
The programme is designed to allow you to integrate your studies within your professional teaching contexts. The process of professional enquiry that underpins all modules requires students to engage in a sustained critical analysis of their teaching and arts practice in order to identify and address their own developmental priorities at each stage. The programme culminates in a self-designed, self-generated, project that is intended to help students make a significant contribution to their professional practices and their learners. As such, we are looking for individuals who are ready to engage their creativity in developing and evolving innovative approaches to their practice as arts educators.
The programme is designed to appeal to individuals who have a role as an arts educator within a formal education context such as a:
GTCS registered primary teacher*
GTCS registered secondary teacher*
Further Education lecturer/tutor*
Higher Education lecturer/tutor*
Visiting Guest Tutor in a school
Instrumental Music Instructor
Teacher in an International School
Lecturer/tutor in an International Higher Education context**
Early Years educator
Or within a UK or International informal context, such as a:
Community Arts Tutor
Participatory Arts Tutor
Private Tutor
Dance Tutor/Teacher
Tutor in a pre-HE organisation
Freelance Teaching Artist
Professional Recognition
*GTCS registered teachers who have a remit for an arts subject within their school teaching context can use this programme to build evidence of their commitment to their professional learning as an arts educator. We include the following within our definition of an ‘arts subject’: music, dance, drama and art and design. The programme is accredited by the GTCS, and upon completion of the programme, students can apply to gain Professional Recognition with the GTCS (pending award). The programme can also be used to build credit towards an application for 2nd Subject Registration in dance, drama, music or art and design.
AdvanceHE and HEA Fellowship
For lecturers/tutors working in a further or higher education context with learners at SCQF Level 7 or above (or equivalent), this programme leads to Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Curriculum Review
We are currently in the review cycle for our postgraduate programmes starting in 2026, these courses are currently designated 'subject to validation'. This is standard practice during curriculum review periods. The outcome of this process, may mean there are some changes to how your programme is delivered.
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:
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
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.
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website.
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website.
The following entry points are available for this course:
Currently around 20% of our students come from outside the UK. Between them, they represent over 55 different nationalities and add a rich diversity to the Conservatoire. International applications are welcome to this programme and online interviews can be arranged.
Applicants for the programme normally have a good degree or international equivalent in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme. It is recognised that some applicants may not have achieved a full degree in a relevant subject area and we will take account of relevant professional experience where it is deemed to be a suitable equivalency.
| 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) |
More information about our language requirements can be found at the weblink. https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-requirements/
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £5569* | Year 1 |
| EU | £5569* | Year 1 |
| International | £5569* | Year 1 |
| England | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5569* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5569* | Year 1 |
* 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.
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: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/
Please note all tuition fees per year are subject to an annual review.
There are currently no internal scholarship opportunites for this programme.
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB
Visit our website Visit our course page
Email:admissions@rcs.ac.uk
Phone:0141 332 4101
Fax: 0141 332 8901