Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
100 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G2 3DB
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Main Contact
Email:admissions@rcs.ac.uk
Phone:0141 332 4101
Fax: 0141 332 8901
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Production (Design) (Taught)
- Study level:
- Postgraduate
- Scheme:
- UCAS Conservatoires
Course summary
The application deadline for this programme is 31 March 2026
Theatre production requires much more than just being skilled in your own discipline. There is a complex web of social, political and ethical considerations that must be embraced to ensure you are in the best position to collaborate in your chosen role. Our MA Production (Design) programme is for those seeking to further enhance their skills as lighting, sound, or set and costume designers through an exploration of individual and collaborative practice.
Collaboration is at the centre of our philosophy. Having entered the programme with the core specialist skills required to fulfil the role of a designer or a manager, you will be introduced to other priorities which will inform and enhance your production practice within the context of the ensemble as part of a cohort of emerging artists.
To enhance your contribution to the ensemble, you will also follow an individually negotiated programme of skills development, creating your own pathway through the degree and empowering you to take full advantage of opportunities for personal development, research, ensemble activities, work placements, and live production roles along the way.
You will have agency over your work and will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning. With support from the staff team, you will write personal learning goals to help determine your trajectory and empowering you to flourish as both a learner and a creative practitioner.
This programme is subject to validation for Academic Year 2026-2027
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:
Main specialism
Only one specialism is studied. It may be possible to study a further instrument, but this will not contribute towards the qualification.
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
- Lighting Design
- Set and Costume Design
- Sound Design
Modules
Please see our departmental web page for more information about the course.
Assessment method
Please see our departmental web page for more information about the course.
How to apply
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
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
14 January
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:
- 206F
- 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 55 different nationalities and add a rich diversity to the Conservatoire. To find out more please visit: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/
Entry requirements
You should have evidence of extensive practical experience in your specialism in a realised stage environment, either through a degree in a related subject or through previous work opportunities, or both. You should have strong, established skills in your specialist area and be ready to explore these skills further, both independently and as part of an ensemble alongside other emerging creative collaborators. You should be passionate about stage production and the possibilities of collaborative, inclusive and sustainable theatre practise.
Applicants should have:
Evidence of extensive practical experience in your specialism in a realised stage environment, either through a degree in a related subject or through previous work opportunities, or both.
Strong, established skills in your chosen specialism and be ready to explore these skills further, both independently and as part of an ensemble alongside other emerging creative collaborators.
You should be creative, curious and passionate about stage production in the context of collaborative, inclusive and sustainable theatre practise.
All on time applicants will be interviewed. The interview will take place in person, where possible, and will focus on your practical experience, evidenced through a portfolio of work including a 1000-word reflective statement outlining your academic and professional achievements and goals. Where necessary an online interview can be arranged, in which case, all portfolio materials should be digitised and submitted in advance.
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- All on time applicants will be interviewed. The interview will take place in person, where possible, and will focus on your practical experience, evidenced through a portfolio of work including a 1000-word reflective statement outlining your academic and professional achievements and goals. Where necessary an online interview can be arranged, in which case, all portfolio materials should be digitised and submitted in advance.
- Portfolio
- Each candidate is seen as an individual, and a holistic view is taken of your unique mix of qualities; therefore, the panel will be most interested to see any evidence of interests or experience to-date. Due to time restrictions, the panel will wish to see quality rather than quantity, so pick examples of your work that best illustrate your suitability for the programme. Your portfolio of work should evidence your suitability for study in you chosen specialism and take any form you chose.
English language requirements
| 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) |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Overall score of 191 with a minimum of 191 in speaking and no component below 162 |
More information about our language requirements can be found at the weblink. https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £18289* | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £18289* | Whole course |
| Scotland | £18289* | Whole course |
| Wales | £18289* | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £18289* | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £18289* | Whole course |
| EU | £28991* | Whole course |
| International | £28991* | Whole course |
* 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
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.
Sponsorship information
The School of Stage and Screen scholarships are awarded for a mixture of financial need and merit. Scholarships are applied for and awarded on an annual basis. If you are offered a place at the Conservatoire, you will be forwarded the link to apply for a Scholarship. - https://www.rcs.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships/.
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