Programme specification
Summary details
Programme title
Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music
Duration and modes of study
One year (three terms) full-time. Part-time study is not available.
Awards by level
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma is at SCQF Level 11.
No exit award is available to students who do not complete the full programme.
Credit framework
AdvPGDip – 120 credits with a minimum of 100 at level 11
Date of validation
March 2020
Start date
September 2020
Next review date
2025
Curriculum principles
The Conservatoire curriculum:
- Develops excellence alongside high levels of reflection in all of our disciplines.
- Fosters the creative attitudes and skills needed for collaborative learning in and through practice.
- Enables students to take responsibility for managing and evaluating their own learning.
- Provides students with insight into a diversity of artistic fields and experience of what is required to succeed in their individual arts practice.
- Develops the ability to use theoretical understanding to inform practice and practice to inform theory.
- Enables students to make a contribution in the world as artists, educators, advocates and active citizens.
The Conservatoire graduate:
Is an excellent and reflective arts practitioner and leads, creates, achieves and innovates. Conservatoire Graduates understand that the highest level of risk and daring offers the greatest potential for achievement and fulfilment.
Has the creative attitudes and skills needed for collaborative learning and has sophisticated skills in leading, building and working in teams. As adaptable and confident people, Conservatoire graduates are used to taking risks and working positively with ambiguity and unpredictability.
Takes responsibility for managing and evaluating their own learning and is resourceful, independent and effective in their approach to managing their life and work.
Has insight into a diversity of artistic fields and experience of what is required to succeed in their individual arts practice and can respond quickly to a fast changing and dynamic world. Conservatoire graduates have a professionally-orientated, entrepreneurial outlook and respond positively to new opportunities and challenges.
Uses theoretical understanding to inform practice and practice to inform theory and combines sophisticated aesthetic and emotional intelligence, integrity and insight with an ability to think analytically and critically.
Makes a contribution in the world, as an artist, educator, advocate and active citizen and uses highly developed skills to communicate a profound appreciation of how their artistic discipline connects with the real world.
Programme aims
The Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Music is designed to:
- Enable the deepening of an established musical practice at the forefront of the discipline
- Provide opportunities to present solo and/or collaborative performances within a proto-professional musical environment
- Foster the ability to develop as a performer by integrating new skills and perspectives
- Stimulate a critical and reflective musicianship that will prepare the student for the challenges of the profession
Programme learning outcomes
On completion of the AdvPGDip you are expected to be able to:
- PLO1 Demonstrate comprehensive technical and expressive mastery of your discipline
- PLO2 Project a secure and distinctive musical personality
- PLO3 Demonstrate professional attitudes and the ability to engage effectively and creatively with professionals and peers
- PLO4 Critically evaluate current ideas, debates and issues within your chosen field
Admission criteria
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
| Minimum cohort | Maximum cohort |
|---|---|
| 0 | 16 |
Programme structure
| Module | Level | Credits | Credits | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Principal Study | 11 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Advanced Supporting Studies | 11 | 30 | 20 | 10 |
| Professional Development | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Options | 7-11 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 120 |
Learning outcomes by module
| Module | PLO1 | PLO2 | PLO3 | PLO4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Principal Study | • | • | ||
| Advanced Supporting Studies | • | • | • | |
| Professional Development | • | • | ||
| Options | • |
Benchmarks
The learning outcomes of your programme are aligned with a number of local, national and international standards. The UK Quality Code for Higher Education (UKQCHQ, QAA 2018) lays out a series of formal 'expectations', including that 'the academic standards of courses meet the requirements of the relevant national qualifications framework'. In Scotland, these comprise the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF 2019) and The Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland (FQHEIS, QAA 2018).
In accordance with the SCQF/FQHEIS, the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma meets the requirement that a Masters degree in Scotland allocate a minimum of 180 credit points, of which at least 150 are at SCQF Level 11. The programme and module learning outcomes have been benchmarked against the SCQF Level Descriptors (SCQF 2015), while the programme as a whole meets the requirements of the UKQCHQ Descriptor for a higher education qualification at level 7 on the FHEQ and SCQF level 11 on the FQHEIS: master's degree (QAA 2018).
In addition to these fundamental standards, the programme aims and learning outcomes also take account of:
- the relevant sections of the Conservatoire's Postgraduate Academic Framework, that are themselves based upon FQHEIS
- the Characteristics Statement: Master's Degree (QAA 2015)
- the Dublin for descriptors second cycle awards (EHAA 2005)
- the 'Polifonia'/Dublin Descriptors for second cycle awards in higher music education (AEC 2007)
- the AEC Learning Outcomes 2017 (AEC 2017)
The Conservatoire – then the RSAMD – became in 1993/4 the first UK institution of its kind to be granted degree-awarding powers. We take pride in the care and rigour with which we design our degrees: you can be fully confident in the academic standing of the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma.