Glasgow · Founded 1847
Specialist InstitutionRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland
Scotland's national conservatoire and the only institution in Europe to teach music, drama, dance, production and film under one roof. Entry is by audition, and the student body is small and intensely focused. Alumni include actors, directors and musicians working across the globe. The school is based at 100 Renfrew Street in central Glasgow.
Rankings
- Guardian
- —
- Times
- —
- Student satisfaction
- 75%
Cost of Living
- Rent (halls)
- £740/mo
- Rent (private)
- £640/mo
- Other costs
- £780/mo
RCS is in Glasgow city centre. Glasgow rents are significantly lower than Edinburgh, making it one of the more affordable options for arts students.
Known For
Students
1,200
Location
Glasgow
SAAS code
R58
Entry requirements for Scottish students
Typical Higher offers for 2026 entry. Always check with RCS directly.
BMus (Performance)
Audition essential
Higher Music helpful but not required
BA Acting
Audition essential
Multi-stage selection process
BA Modern Ballet
Audition essential
Entry requirements sourced from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland prospectus, April 2026. Competitive courses may ask for higher grades.
What it actually costs per month
Realistic monthly budget for a student living in Glasgow, 2026.
The SAAS gap at RCS
- SAAS gives you (max, monthly)
- £950/mo
- Your costs (est.)
- £1,300/mo
Performing arts students often face additional costs for instruments, equipment, and performance. Factor in £50-100 per month above the standard SAAS living-cost estimate.
Calculate your exact SAAS packageSAAS tuition — what you’ll actually pay
If you’re a Scotland-domiciled undergraduate, SAAS pays Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s tuition fee (£1,820/year) directly — you pay nothing. The SAAS code is R58.
Open days 2026
Confirmed 2026 open day dates for RCS. Always book a place directly via the university website.
5 Jun 2026
Virtual
17 Jul 2026
Virtual
14 Aug 2026
Virtual
25 Sep 2026
Virtual
Dates sourced from RCS’s official open days page, checked April 2026. Confirm current details before travelling.
Scholarships & bursaries
Verified funding available to Scottish-domiciled students at RCS. Always check the university website for current eligibility criteria and deadlines.
Care Experienced Students' Bursary
Up to £8,100/yr
Scottish-domiciled undergraduates who were looked after by a local authority; non-repayable, not income-tested
Apply / find out moreWho is RCS best for?
RCS is the UK’s only institution that teaches all the performing arts — music, drama, dance, production, and film — under one roof, and Scotland’s national conservatoire. Selection is audition-based rather than grade-based. Class sizes are tiny (1,200 total students), staff-to-student ratios are extraordinary, and graduates have an unusually strong professional network across UK theatre, screen and music. This is a vocational path with a clear destination — not an academic university experience. If your child is talented and committed enough to pass the audition, RCS is genuinely competitive with the best music and drama schools anywhere in the UK.
Student life at a glance
Students’ association
Tight-knit, intensely creative student body. Cross-discipline collaboration is a defining feature — the music students score the film students’ projects.
Social scene
Right next to the Royal Concert Hall and Sauchiehall Street. Days are long and demanding; evenings are spent rehearsing, performing or in central-Glasgow venues.
Graduate prospects
Direct routes into the National Theatre of Scotland, BBC Scotland, Scottish Opera, RSNO and the wider UK industry. Acting alumni include David Tennant and James McAvoy.
Considering RCS? Also look at
Same city, visual arts and design focus rather than performance
View profileHas acting and drama programmes with academic university framing alongside
View profileFor students who want a music or theatre degree inside a traditional university structure
View profileRelated guides
Frequently asked questions about RCS
How much is student rent at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland?
Average monthly rent in Glasgow for RCS students is approximately £740 in university halls and £640 in private rented accommodation. Other living costs (food, transport, utilities, social) add roughly £780 per month on top. These are indicative averages — actual costs depend on the specific hall or flat. Always check the university's accommodation pages for the latest prices.
What is Royal Conservatoire of Scotland known for?
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's strongest subject areas include Music, Drama, Dance, Film and Production. These are the departments most commonly cited in league tables and by employers. RCS also has strong graduate employment in these areas — check the university's own graduate outcomes data for the most current figures.
What type of university is Royal Conservatoire of Scotland?
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a specialist institution with a focused academic offer rather than the broad faculty structure of a traditional university.
Find accommodation near RCS
Compare student halls and private accommodation options.
Unipol
Accredited student accommodation — halls and private lets vetted for quality
Browse options →Student.com
Book student halls worldwide — instant booking and flexible cancellation
Browse options →AccommodationForStudents
UK-focused private student lets — compare prices in your city
Browse options →Rightmove Student
Private rental market listings near your university
Browse options →Rankings, rent, and living-cost figures checked April 2026.
Rankings source: Guardian University Guide and The Times Good University Guide. Rent figures are indicative averages from council and university accommodation pages. Entry requirements sourced from RCS prospectus 2026 entry. Always confirm current prices and requirements directly with RCS. See our editorial policy for how we source and update this data.