Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: School of Music - Open Day
15 May 2025, 09:15
Glasgow, Lanarkshire
You are viewing our beta course page.
Music - Joint Principal Study (BMus Hons)
- Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Scheme:
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
The BMus (Hons) Joint Principal Study (JPS) pathway at the RCS is a specialist four-year pathway that enables students with exceptional potential in two disciplines to pursue these in parallel at degree level. It is strongly practical and vocational in purpose, with most of your study time devoted to activities in the two principal study areas, but this is substantially complemented by a core curriculum in professional skills development, research skills, and development of critical and reflective thinking.
The programme’s structure and content are designed to allow you to develop the full range of your creative and technical abilities and to equip you with the professional skills and knowledge that will enable you to pursue your musical interests and aspirations to the highest level. The BMus Programme offers a unique opportunity for you to immerse yourself in a creative and supportive environment dedicated to the study and practice of music in a multidisciplinary setting that includes dance, drama, film and production programmes alongside music. Our aim for our graduates is to prepare you for both postgraduate study and professional employment as performers, teachers, and in other careers as part of the portfolio career common within the contemporary music profession.
JPS is a demanding programme and students taking this study additional credits (140 credits per year instead of the usual 120). At the end of each academic year, students on JPS will be asked if wish to continue on that route, or to specialise in one or other of their Principal Studies. To continue on the Joint Principal Study pathway, students must normally achieve a specified mininum grade for each Principal Study module; failure to achieve this level in both Principal Studies will normally result in the student being required to pursue the better Principal Study as a ‘single study’ (i.e. transfer to the Performance/ Composition/ Jazz route).
The JPS pathway includes Conducting as a principal study. Applicants will need to demonstrate an existing level of achievement in this area in order to be considered for the Conducting pathway. Conducting cannot be taken as a “single study” pathway if a JPS student later transfers away from the Joint Principal Study pathway.
Choosing to study music in Glasgow means you will be part of the UK’s largest music economy, outside of London. Glasgow is home to the national companies including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera, Royal National Scottish Orchestra and Scottish Ensemble. We have partnerships with all of these organisations and our students benefit from playing opportunities, internships and masterclasses with our professional neighbours.
Please note, the international deadline for this programme is the 1st December 2025, but we would encourage applicants to apply by the 2nd October 2024 to be guaranteed consideration for first round of scholarship
If you apply for the JPS pathway, you do not need to apply for the single specialism pathway, unless it is in a subject area out with what you have already selected
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:
Joint main specialism
You would like to study two specialisms, both studied equally.
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
- Accordion (classical)
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Composition
- Conducting
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Euphonium
- Flute
- Guitar (Classical)
- Harp
- Harpsichord
- Horn (French)
- Horn (Tenor)
- Oboe
- Organ
- Percussion & Timpani
- Piano
- Saxophone (Classical)
- Trombone (Alto)
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
- Voice (Alto)
- Voice (Baritone)
- Voice (Bass)
- Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Voice (Contralto)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor)
- Voice (Male Soprano)
- Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano)
- Voice (Tenor)
Secondary instrument/specialisms
- Accordion (classical)
- Bassoon
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Composition
- Cornet
- Double Bass
- Euphonium
- Flute
- Guitar (Classical)
- Harp
- Harpsichord
- Horn (French)
- Horn (Tenor)
- Oboe
- Organ
- Percussion & Timpani
- Piano
- Saxophone (Classical)
- Trombone (Alto)
- Trombone (Bass)
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Viola
- Violin
- Voice (Alto)
- Voice (Baritone)
- Voice (Bass)
- Voice (Bass-Baritone)
- Voice (Contralto)
- Voice (Counter-Tenor)
- Voice (Male Soprano)
- Voice (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Voice (Soprano)
- Voice (Tenor)
Modules
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website, please visit your instruments specific pages: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/bmus-hons-joint-principal-study/
Assessment method
More information about what the course entails can be found on our website, please visit your instrument/department specific pages: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/bmus-hons-joint-principal-study/
Discover Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Learn what it's like to study at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. From key stats to campus highlights, open days, and more - find everything you need to know here.
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
2 October
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:
- 301F
- Institution code:
- R58
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Currently around 20% of our students come from outside the UK. Between them, they represent over 60 different nationalities and add a rich diversity to the Conservatoire.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - A* - E
Passes in two subjects at GCE Advanced level
Scottish Higher - A - D
Passes in three subjects at Higher level
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 45 - 24 points
minimum score of 24 with 3 subjects at Higher Level
A strong indication of potential is sought at the entrance audition for this programme. Successful applicants will normally be of a standard at least equivalent to Grade 8 with Distinction of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in their Principal Study. You can apply and audition without having obtained Grade 8 with distinction, however as an indication only, applicants are normally expected to have reached this standard in their performance.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Please refer to our Guide for Applicants for what to prepare for audition - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/studyhere/how-to-apply/music/
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Applicants who first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 in each component (with no component below 5.5) is required. |
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| EU | £27968* | Year 1 |
| International | £27968* | 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.
Additional fee information
Associated programme costs may be required for this programme for any new student at the start of their studies. For more information on please see our website - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/fees/
Sponsorship information
The Royal Conservatoire is able to offer a number of entrance scholarships which are awarded as part of the audition/selection process on the basis of merit and financial need. Please see our website for more information - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/finance/scholarships/.
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
Like this page