Summary details

note

The information below is a technical summary of the programme for the purposes of the Registry at the Conservatoire, incorporating the specification of the degree per the Postgraduate Research Senate Regulations of the University of St Andrews.

University regulations (excerpt)

Requirements

A preparatory performance (60 credits) and a final performance (90 credits) and written work (30 credits – 5000-7000 words).

Required standard

A body of work judged by the examiners to represent outstanding public performance skills commensurate with those of a professional artist, consistent with what may be reasonably expected of a diligent student after one year of full-time study. The candidate will be able to articulate how the work has enhanced their own artistic practice and made a significant and original contribution to their chosen artistic sphere.

Annex 8: Advanced Artist Diploma (Art Dip. (Adv.))

For students pursuing the Art Dip. (Adv.), the following will apply in addition to the regulations for the degree of PhD.

1. The Art Dip. (Adv.), is offered in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

2. All students and supervisors are required to comply with the requirements of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Policy for Supervisors and Students in the Advanced Artist Diploma Programme.

3. The work of all students will be reviewed periodically and the results reported to the Research Degrees Committee at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

   Methods of presentation

4. Candidates for the degree will be examined on the basis of a programme of study comprising (A) a preparatory artistic project, (B) a final artistic project, and (C) written work.

5. The programme of study will take the form of:

   • a. A substantial preparatory artistic project that demonstrates outstanding performance skills; and
   • b. A significant and substantial artistic project in a public and professional or proto-professional context that demonstrates outstanding performance skills commensurate with those of a professional artist; and
   • c. A written self-reflective evaluation of the contribution to the specialism, which articulates the student’s artistic practice and professional development. 5,000-7,000 words.

6. The three elements are credit weighted. Successful candidates will gain 60 credits for the preparatory artistic project, 90 credits for the final artistic project, and 30 credits for written work. Credit for the preparatory project will be awarded at progress review, but credits for the final project and the written work will only be awarded following a successful viva voce examination. All credits must be obtained for the degree to be awarded.

   Examination

7. The examination of the portfolio shall follow the same rules and procedures as laid down in the Regulations for PhD except that the Research Degrees Committee of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will appoint two internal examiners, one of whom will convene, and an external examiner. The internal examiners will assess the preparatory artistic project (A); the final artistic project (B) and written component (C) will be assessed by the internal examiners and the external examiner. The convenor will be a member of RCS staff identified as having Significant Responsibility for Research.

Summary details (Conservatoire)

Programme title

Advanced Artist Diploma

Duration and modes of study

One year (four terms) full-time. Part-time study is not available.

Credit framework and award

The Advanced Artist Diploma carries 180 credits at SCQF level 12.

The award is not classified.

No exit award is available to students who do not complete the full programme.

Period of validity

• Validation tbc June 2025
• Start date tbc September 2026 (nb programme will not run in 25-26)
• Next review tbc 2030

Academic entry requirements

Candidates are normally expected to hold an existing Masters degree or its overseas equivalent in a subject area relevant to the demands of the programme.

Language of study

The language of study is English. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Level 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component) is required of applicants to the School of Music.

Target numbers

• Performance strand: 1-10 students per cohort
• Opera strand: 1-6 students per cohort

Components

The programme comprises three components, the preparatory project, final project and commentary, that carry notional volumes of credit. These are not modules: however, for the purposes of managing the programme through Student Outcomes, they may be summarised as below.

Title	Preparatory Project
Module Coordinator	Head of Programme
Credit Rating	60 SCQF (30 ECTS)
Status	Core
Learning modes	Indicative hours
Supervision	9-13
Directed study	18-30
Independent study	573-557
Total notional student effort	600

Title	Final Project
Module Coordinator	Head of Programme
Credit Rating	90 SCQF (45 ECTS)
Status	Core
Learning modes	Indicative hours
Supervision	13-20
Directed study	26-50
Independent study	861-830
Total notional student effort	900

Title	Commentary
Module Coordinator	Head of Programme
Credit Rating	30 SCQF (15 ECTS)
Status	Core
Learning modes	Indicative hours
Scheduled study	8
Directed study	16
Independent study	276
Total notional student effort	300