The residencies are a key elements to creating a sense of belonging on this networked programme. There are two face to face residencies each year: the first in September (outlined above) and another in April (held in Stornoway and focussing on around a public performances at the An Lanntair Arts Centre) 

There are also two networked residencies per year, in November and January, lasting 3-5 days. Students do not travel to a single location for these, but attend either their nearest college campus (for those within the UHI catchment area) or a hired venue (for those students based in and around Glasgow). During the networked residencies, students work closely with those in the same location, but also collaborate with the groups of students gathering in other venues by using video conferencing and other technology. Within each location, students will usually be from different years of the programme, enabling collaboration between student groups who may not usually work together. 

Like the face to face residencies, they are also based around a theme which changes each year. The Programme Leader chooses a theme based on the identified needs of the student cohort; focussing on an area of musical interest or skill that needs to be developed amongst the students. For example, for a networked residency held in 2018, the programme leader identified a lack of experience in group singing amongst the students, and so this was chosen as the theme. Students worked together to arrange and perform a song that one of the students had composed. Each physical site was assigned one verse of the song to arrange in a particular musical style (e.g. rock opera, barber shop). Each group had to research the musical style (resources were provided in the VLE to support the task) and then to arrange, perform and record their verse of the song. Groups were expected to work independently for most of the time, but staff would be on hand to support the students; either face to face where they shared a location, or by video conference (at least once per day for sites with no local staff support). Completed arrangements were recorded and uploaded for the whole student cohort to listen to and give feedback on, so testing digital as well as musical expertise. 

During their fourth year, Honours students have an additional one day face to face residency which is an opportunity for them to practice their Honours performance.