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Conservatoire

Curriculum principles​

The postgraduate curriculum:​

  1. Is co-created by educators, students and professionals who are shaping the future of artforms, artistry and arts education, recognising RCS, its audiences and collaborators as a community with a shared purpose;
  2. Supports rigorous development of craft and creative artistry and the capacity to renew and adapt skills throughout a productive professional life;
  3. Ensures relevant professional experience that protects the space to reflect on, experiment with, and evaluate personal milestones of success and learning;
  4. Is designed and delivered with a commitment to continuous enhancement of inclusive practices, research and theory, ensuring that design nurtures authentic voices and experiences in the arts;
  5. Will critically test assumptions, current discourses and self-appraisals in order to innovate practice.

Graduate attributes​

The Conservatoire’s Graduate Attributes are aligned to the values of the RCS community. These are:​

  • Compassion
  • Creative courage
  • Curiosity
  • Craft, rigour and talent
  • Community
  • Constructive challenge

Graduates of the postgraduate programmes will:​

  1. Work with care for themselves and others
  2. Seek constructive challenge, be prepared to change approach, rework ideas and advocate for their own perspective(s) in diverse contexts
  3. Create impact and engagement within and beyond their discipline in a variety of settings
  4. Test, re-evaluate and exceed and their own expectations through bold creative decision-making and risk taking
  5. Own a nuanced aesthetic and emotional intelligence, integrity and ethical practice with an ability to think analytically and critically
  6. Draw on theories, research, practice and collaborative opportunities with confidence and resourcefulness
  7. Communicate with creativity, compassion and a deep appreciation of how their discipline connects with the world
  8. Acquire, adapt, and apply new skills with a commitment to lifelong learning throughout their career, anticipating and responding to major developments in technologies, industry standards and complex global issues

Student support​

The Conservatoire provides a wide range of both academic and pastoral support services for students, all of which can be accessed via the RCS Intranet:

Here are some of the services available:

Improving the programme​

One student representative is elected to the AdvArtDip Committee that manages the programme.

Feedback on the programme can be made via the online Postgraduate Music Student Suggestion Box.

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Beyond the programme, all of the Departments within the School of Music have their own feedback mechanisms, and there are also Conservatoire-wide mechanisms such as the Student Experience Project led by the Student Union.

Internationalisation​

As musicians we are fortunate to inhabit a discipline that has the potential to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers while at the same time representing our various identities at the deepest level. The postgraduate programmes in the School of Music attract a diverse population of international students from many different countries across the world: in a typical year, roughly one third of the total cohort may be from outside the UK. The programme also offers a range of opportunities for students to take part in international exchange programmes.

As an institution, the Conservatoire is strongly committed to maintaining an international outlook. More information can be found on the intranet sites noted below, or you can contact international@rcs.ac.uk.

Work-based learning​

Students on the opera strand will normally undertake a 10 week placement at Scottish Opera, starting at the end of term 2 through to week 8 of term 3. The placement constitutes 20% of the programme and is assessed as part of the final project.

In accordance with the Conservatoire Quality Assurance Handbook Chapter 11 ‘Placement Learning’ (QAH11), opera students will be overseen by a Placement Supervisor at Scottish Opera, working in conjunction with a Placement Co-ordinator from the Conservatoire.

Exceptionally, instrumentalists and concert singers on the programme may have the opportunity to undertake a work-based placement on a similar basis to the above.

Health and safety, safe space​

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is fully committed to creating an environment where all staff and students treat each other fairly and with mutual respect, and to providing an environment where all students and staff are free from discrimination and intimidation.

The following Safe Space Statement applies to all activity happening within the Conservatoire:

Safe Space Statement

Everyone working and learning together in this room is entitled to do so in a safe space: a space free of bullying and harassment of any kind. We will honour our differences and collaborate in the true spirit of ensemble, promoting creative challenge whilst retaining the utmost respect for each other. We will treat one another with courtesy and respect at all times, and if we are subjected to or witness bullying or harassment we will speak out knowing that our voices will be heard and we will be taken seriously. We will actively promote a positive, optimistic and mutually supportive approach to work and study. Together we can create a Safe Space.

The policies and procedures governing the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students are comprehensive and thorough:

Within the School of Music we take particular care over the risks to hearing. All students are given free personal protection equipment in the form of high-quality earplugs suitable for musical use, as well as specific teaching and learning in this area as part of the programme of study.

Equality and diversity​

We welcome a diverse population of staff and students. Further, we are committed to promoting equality in all of our activities and we aim to provide a performing, learning, teaching, working and research environment free from unlawful discrimination against applicants, staff and students on the grounds of gender (actual or perceived), sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age and actual or perceived religious or similar belief.

The Conservatoire fosters a learning, teaching, research and working culture which not only supports diversity, inclusion and equity but indeed requires those principles. We are thoroughly committed to the promotion of equal opportunities across all of our functions and practices including those of learning and teaching, employment, representation, decision making, and procurement and partnerships.

The Conservatoire is committed to ensuring that those from all backgrounds feel able to apply to study with us. Applicants who have been looked after at home, in residential care, foster care or kinship care can access support via the International and Student Experience team at welfare@rcs.ac.uk. Provisions are also made for Estranged Students and Student Carers.

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More information about the work of the School and the Conservatoire in these areas may be found on both the main RCS website and the RCS Intranet:

• https://www.rcs.ac.uk/about/policy/#dignity-equality-policy

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Learning resources​

The School of Music has access to a large number of purpose-built practice rooms and other rehearsal spaces that are available to students on the programme. You will have a personal quota of practice time that you can book through the Asimut timetable: larger rehearsal rooms may be booked through your Department.

There are three recording studios: studio A is staffed by a professional recording engineer, while studios B and C may be booked for student use following a short induction.

The Whitaker Library offers a comprehensive collection of material in support of the studying musician, including books, scores and audio and video recordings. The School of Music is supported by a dedicated music librarian, who will be able to assist with scores and parts for a wide range of works in the standard repertoire. A very large number of online study resources are also available through the library catalogue.

The AV store has a wide range of equipment available for students to borrow, including audio and video cameras, sound reinforcement equipment, and similar items.

Each of the instrumental Departments within the School of Music also maintains a stock of instruments of professional quality that may be borrowed and used by students.

Digital technology is not something that is bolted on to learning and teaching, but rather a part of the contemporary landscape that we all inhabit. During the first weeks of the programme you will be introduced to a number of online tools that are in daily use at the Conservatoire for communication, collaboration, and the sharing of information. These include:

  • your conservatoire email
  • the password self-service facility
  • OneDrive for Business
  • the Asimut timetabling system
  • moodle
  • the Student Outcomes
  • the Portal
  • eduroam wifi
  • your ePortfolio
  • the library catalogue
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Of particular interest to music students are the state-of-the-art camera systems that have been installed in the Stevenson Hall and Ledger Recital room. These can be used by students after a short period of training that can be organised on request.

Staff​

Departmental​

Your Head of Department will normally act as your principal supervisor, and will have the primary responsibility for guiding you through the programme. They will also be at hand to offer support on any difficulties that may arise during the course of your studies, either directly, by offering information and advice themselves, or by referring you on to one of the support mechanisms offered by the Conservatoire as a whole.

You will typically have the opportunity to work with instrumental/vocal specialists pertinent to your particular discipline, one of whom may be appointed to act as a secondary supervisor.

The departmental Programme Support Administrator (PSA) will manage your Asimut timetable and act as a point of contact for practical arrangements within the department.

Programme​

The Head of Programme has overall responsibility for academic leadership across the MMus/MA, AdvPGDip and AdvArtDip programmes, working in liaison with the Heads of Department. You are encouraged to speak to the Head of Programme at any time, particularly if there is a matter that cannot be dealt with by your department.

For some students, the Head of Programme will act as a secondary supervisor with particular responsibility for the academic elements of the programme. For other students this role may be taken by other senior members of programme staff.

Heads of Department and the Head of Programme report to the Director of the School of Music, who will take up any issues that cannot be resolved by the Department or the Programme.

More information on the roles of the principal and secondary supervisor can be found in the supervision policy.

The Regulations, Codes of Procedure and General Rules state:

It is the responsibility of all staff and students of the Conservatoire to ensure that they comply with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (‘the Act’). Breach of copyright regulations is a criminal offence and may expose both the individual and the Conservatoire to prosecution.

In simple terms, copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work exists during the author’s lifetime and for a period of 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the author dies. During this period, a work may not be copied without the permission of the rights or licence holder. Publishers, editors, artists, photographers and arrangers also have rights over a work.

Practical guidance for students may be found at - Copyright

Insurance​

It is your responsibility to ensure that your musical instrument/s are fully insured against loss or damage whilst on the RCS premises. The Conservatoire is unable to recommend a particular insurance provider. Check first whether your instrument/s are insured through a family home contents insurance policy, and compare premiums from multiple providers before arranging a new policy.

Student outcomes​

Student Outcomes is a mechanism that allows you to plan your personal, educational and professional development. It is a dynamic tool to help you navigate through the programme and record the choices agreed with your Head of Department and other members of the programme team.

In specific terms Student Outcomes will:

  • Detail programme of study choices within the programme
  • Detail, where appropriate, assessment modes, placements, and work based learning
  • Detail performance opportunities and other commitments that may be undertaken as part of the programme

Student Outcomes will encourage you to:

  • Review, plan and take responsibility for your own learning
  • Articulate your personal goals and evaluate progress towards their achievement
  • Articulate personal choice and context
  • Gain a holistic overview of your learning and its relationship to extra-curricular pursuits and career development
  • Improve study and career management skills

You can access Student Outcomes at https://matric.rcs.ac.uk/ – you should familiarise yourself with this tool at the start of your programme, and make regular reference to it throughout the period of your studies.

Transitions​

'Transitions' is a term used to represent two phases of your studies: firstly, when you move into your studies, also known as 'induction'; secondly, when you leave the programme and move into either further study or the wider world.

In the induction phase you will meet your supervisors and Head of Programme, and begin to negotiate your individual programme of study.

As you approach the end of the programme, you will have the opportunity to meet with your principal supervisor to discuss your future plans, either for moving into the profession or further study.

Communication​

After face-to-face communication, the most widely used mode of communication is email, which is used for all official correspondence. While in other spheres you may be used to communicating via chat platforms, direct messaging, or social media, it is important that you recognise that, during your studies on the programme, electronic communication with your supervisors and other staff will come via your Conservatoire email address. Neither staff nor students should use their private email address for matters relating to Conservatoire business.

As well as your Conservatoire email, you will also have an email/IT account with the University of St Andrews.

There are a number of useful email addresses that you might wish to be aware of:

Calendar​

The School of Music calendar can be viewed in a browser:

School of Music Calendar – web view

You can also subscribe to this calendar in another application such as your Microsoft 365 calendar, Apple calendar or Google calendar:

School of Music Calendar – subscription link

(There is a limitation, in that only the next 12 months are displayed: this limit is imposed by Microsoft and there is currently no workaround.)

A printable two-page .pdf version of the calendar is available here:

Shape_of_the_Year_26-27_SoM.pdf

Attendance​

You are expected to attend all classes and rehearsals. Poor attendance and/or poor timekeeping will have a detrimental impact on your learning and the learning of other students. It can also lead to disciplinary action in line with the Conservatoire's Rules and Regulations.

As well as the Conservatoire processes noted below, you must adhere the relevant policies listed on the Handbook, Policies and Guidance section of the Research and Engagement intranet pages, including those pertaining to Location of Studies, Leave of Absence, Discounted Time, Parental Leave, and Length of Study.

Illness​

Unforeseen absence due to illness should be logged on Asimut no later than 9:30am. You must not declare illness unless you are actually ill.

If you are involved in a large ensemble activity that day then you should:

  • declare illness on Asimut and
  • contact Artistic Planning by email (artisticplanning@rcs.ac.uk) or telephone (0141 270 8240) and
  • inform your Head of Department

If you are absent from classes due to illness for five consecutive weekdays then on your return you must submit a medical certificate to the AAS Office.

Absence requests​

Pre-arranged absence for attending external activities, for instance a scheduled medical appointment or external concert engagement, should be requested at least seven days in advance using the absence request form on your Student Outcomes. You must use this system to request absence: it is not sufficient to speak informally to a member of staff about the request.

We strongly advise that you apply for authorised absence for all term-time external engagements, even if you have no Conservatoire activities listed in your Asimut timetable at the time of checking. If your absence request has been approved, then we will not schedule any activities or assessments during that time.

It is your responsibility to list all affected activities on the absence request form. Once the request is reviewed, your Head of Programme and Head of Department will make a decision on the outcome (approved, conditionally approved or rejected), which is then posted on your Student Outcomes. Not all requests will be approved, especially if performances or assessments would be affected by the absence. For this reason, you should not make any travel plans until you have received written notification that your request has been approved.

Unauthorised absence​

Continued unauthorised absence, including unexplained illness, will have a detrimental impact on your learning and may result in investigation and disciplinary action.

In line with the Conservatoire's Rules and Regulations, students who fail to meet attendance requirements and who fail to respond positively to written warnings on the matter may lose the right to present for examination. In this case you will not be permitted to submit work or attend the examination and the outcome will be recorded as a fail.

Timetabling of music ensembles​

Many of the ensemble activities within the School of Music are too complex to be captured in detail using Asimut. These are instead timetabled by the Music Ensembles Manager, including:

  • Symphony Orchestra
  • Chamber Orchestra
  • Wind Orchestra
  • Opera Orchestra
  • MusicLab
  • Contemporary Ensembles involved in the Plug Festival
  • Jazz Orchestra
  • Ballet Orchestra
  • Musical Theatre Pit Orchestras and Pit Bands
  • Conductors Ensemble
  • Repertoire Orchestra

Asimut should only be used as a guide with regards to these rehearsals. The main point of reference is the Orchestra and Ensembles folder on One Drive. The link to this will be sent to you via email and you can save this to your favourites to reference daily. If you are involved in any activity, you should carefully take down all rehearsal and performance details in your diary. It is compulsory that you attend all rehearsals. If you do not come to a rehearsal because it isn't on Asimut, but is on One Drive, that will not be accepted as an authorised absence.

Conservatoire graduation​

There is no fee to attend the Conservatoire graduation ceremony. However, there is a fee to hire a gown which is compulsory. A fee of approximately £50 is payable to an external gown supplier and you will be advised of how to do this as part of the graduation registration process.