The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has retained its place as one of the world’s top 10 performing arts schools, according to prestigious global rankings published on Wednesday.

Scotland’s national conservatoire held on to its number six spot in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

It’s the eighth time it has been placed in the top 10 since the ranking was established in 2016.

Founded in 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers specialist teaching across music, drama, dance, production, film and education.

Quacquarelli Symonds – a leading provider of analytics and insight to the global higher education sector – uses five key metrics to compile the subject rankings, including reputation and research impact and productivity.

The UK has 1,569 programmes ranked across 103 institutions.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is recognised by professional peers and employers once again to be ranked in the world top ten for eight out of the past nine years.

“This is a wonderful tribute to our innovative approach to the arts and research as well as to the commitment and resilience of our staff and students and all who support this special artistic community.

“These are challenging times for the funding of higher education and for the arts. We advocate for the arts to be valued and recognised as fundamental to the human condition as well as vital to the creative economy and the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

“Against this backdrop, it is heartening and a cause for celebration to have Scotland’s national conservatoire and our performing arts education shine on the global stage.”

Professor Dorothy Miell, Chair of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is very much an ensemble institution, just like the art-forms and disciplines it teaches.

“It is of particular credit to all who contribute to RCS that the institution is again ranked among the finest globally and I’d like to pay tribute to Principal Jeffrey Sharkey, and all staff, students, alumni, governors, trustees, donors, partners and friends, for the essential parts they play in making this achievement possible.”