The overriding aim of undertaking PhD and MPhil study is to make an original contribution to knowledge. The programmes do not follow a prescribed course of study but benefit from close supervision and a range of research training that is designed to support the project being undertaken, and provide wider opportunities for professional development as a researcher.

Our vibrant multidisciplinary environment includes performance and new work in dance, drama and music, performing arts education and policy, Scottish music, historically-informed performance, musicology, and a range of other specialist areas.

Following a historic agreement between RCS and the University of St Andrews, we offer research degrees leading to the awards of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil). These programmes are validated and awarded by the University of St Andrews.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers opportunities for suitably qualified students to work towards the achievement of research degrees in appropriate areas of enquiry. Applications will only be successful if it is clear that the proposed research can best be undertaken within a Conservatoire context, in which performance and/or creation is held central.

The specific areas for research degrees are:

- the processes and methodologies of developing new performance work (music/drama/music theatre), including collaborative and devised performance
- performance
- musical composition, in all genres, for live, electro-acoustic and mixed media
- Scottish music
- methodologies of specialist performance training, including the use of IT
- socio-cultural studies of performance
- performance education and pedagogy

Explore your skills and expertise as a musician, performer and artist and gain some technical rehearsal skills using various performance and production equipment. You'll play gigs, rehearse, develop musicianship skills and start to think about the sound mix at live events to help develop and demonstrate your practical abilities. You'll develop your skills in working with students and fellow artists and performers and start to pick up what it takes to get into the music industry. You'll even start working on your own blog and performance portfolio to help share with the industry, the skills you are gaining.

Are you an aspiring musician, singer, music producer or DJ? On this course, you will improve your rehearsal, performance skills and production skills to give you the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills need to progress in the music industry today.

During the course, you will take part in a variety of live performances, this will give you the opportunity to develop your musicianship and to build your ensemble skills, improving your communication, analytical, time management and problem-solving skills. You will also work in the studio, mac suites and synth lab to develop skills in recording, mixing, electronic composition and sampling as well as gaining experience of live sound engineering. There will be an emphasis on music theory and on understanding the features and roots of both popular and electronic music.

This course is for musicians who want to enter the music industry as performers, producers, singer/songwriters or those who want to get into a business role within the industry. You will study and develop skills in performance, production, composition, musicianship and music business, and will have the opportunity to record in our state-of-the-art recording studios.

This hands-on course is both practical and theoretical, focusing on vocational projects to develop your performance, composition and production skills, as well as your understanding of the music industry and the job roles within it.

We have industry-standard rehearsal and technical facilities to help prepare you for ensemble performance and music production.
Location: Centre for Business, Arts and Technology, Camden Road

This course integrates acting, dance, movement, singing and spoken voice within a framework of relevant theory and research, in order to train students to a professional level. Specialist lecturers and professional artists deliver classes and workshops that complement Central’s experienced teaching staff. Emphasis is placed on acquiring and practising skills through creativity, collaboration and performance within all aspects of music theatre. Imagination and creativity are valued, and are explored from many different perspectives.
Where students demonstrate skill and interest, there are opportunities to create original work and to pursue related activities, such as composing, writing, choreography and acting with instruments.

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