RWCMD A Guide for International Students 2022

www.rwcmd.ac.uk The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is:

+ Europe’s first Steinway-Exclusive Conservatory

+ Ranked Number 1 Drama School in the UK 4 times in the last 8 years*

+ Honoured to have His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales as RWCMD President

*Guardian University League Tables, 2019, 2018, 2015 & 2013.

HRH The Prince of Wales meeting students following his 70th Birthday Gala held at RWCMD. WHY STUDY HERE

The Royal Welsh College of Music & + has industry partners and + Cardiff ranked the most affordable Drama (RWCMD) is the National placement opportunities with the city to study in, according to the Conservatoire of Wales and competes BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Natwest Student Living Index, alongside an international peer group Welsh National Opera, Royal 2019 of conservatoires and specialist arts Shakespeare Company, National + campus hosts major events such colleges for the best students Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and as BBC Cardiff Singer of the globally, enabling students to enter many more World, World Stage Design, and influence the world of music, + is a multi-cultural institution, World Harp Congress and theatre and related professions. with students from 40 different BBC Young Musician of the Year

countries + the campus is located in the very The College: + has internationally renowned centre of Cardiff, the capital city + boasts small class sizes and one-to- teachers, the majority of which of Wales, less than 2 hours by one teaching, providing students also work in industry train to central London with lots of individual attention + regularly hosts international + has its own arts centre on campus visiting artists which presents 500 plus performances each year, providing students with performance opportunities and valuable experience 01

A powerhouse of innovation RWCMD

and collaboration across the A Guide for International Students 2022 performing arts. *The Telegraph (national newspaper) | rwcmd.ac.uk 02

RWCMD CARDIFF FACTS

A Guide for International Students 2022

Media City Music, Theatre and Dance An energetic musical energy Stimulating Arts Centre Cardiff’s booming film and TV Home to the BBC National is evident across the city’s As one of the city's favourite industry produces ambitious Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, famed music scene from venues, RWCMD presents over drama for global audiences. Welsh National Opera and venues including Tramshed 500 public performances each With BBC, Bad Wolf & indie National Dance Company Wales, and the cult Clwb Ifor Bach year offering plentiful, diverse production companies receiving to name a few, there’s always showcasing contemporary and performance opportunities from international recognition, Cardiff something on offer in one of underground music. Shakespeare to the NEW writing | rwcmd.ac.uk is recognised as the largest Cardiff’s plentiful concert halls season, opera to jazz and just media city outside of London. and music venues. With a rich and vibrant theatre about everything in between. World-class facilities together scene, the Welsh capital with Wales’ dramatic landscape There’s also a large jazz scene, presents a wide spectrum of rugged coastlines, castles, with the likes of Café Jazz and of theatre productions from mountains and cityscapes The Bootlegger, Cardiff’s very Broadway hit musicals at the provide diverse filming locations own speakeasy, bringing a slice iconic Wales Millennium Centre and attract big budget of America to the Welsh capital. to eclectic new writing across productions. the many neighbourhood art centres.

Extraordinary beauty, wonderful people and great hospitality. *Barack Obama, Former U.S. President 03 RWCMD

A Guide for International Students 2022

Affordable Epitome of Cool Shopping Connected Ranked as the UK’s Most Cost- Described by The Lonely Planet St David’s Centre is one of the Less than 2 hours to central effective City in the UK for Guide to Britain as the “epitome largest shopping centres in the London by train and with Students (Natwest Student of cool” with “a creative energy UK with luxury designer labels Cardiff International Airport Living Index, 2019) Cardiff is a and relaxed atmosphere that available alongside high street and nearby Bristol Airport much-loved, student-friendly complements its youthful stores and cool independent providing access from most city renowned for being safe heritage”, The Rough (Travel) shops in a beautiful network worldwide destinations, this | and affordable, ensuring you Guide calls it “one of the coolest of antique arcades. coastal city is ideally located rwcmd.ac.uk can enjoy its rich and vibrant cities in the UK” with “world- for easy travel. culture. class sport, a prolific music scene and one of the UK’s most exciting TV and film locations”.

Edinburgh Glasgow

Travel times by train

Cardiff to London 1 hour 45 min Belfast Cardiff to Birmingham 2 hours Cardiff to Manchester 3 hours 25 min Manchester Dublin

Birmingham

Bristol CARDIFF London Incredible students in Cardiff! So much talent in the school. It was an honor and such a pleasure to work with you. *Sarah Chang, Violinist

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A Guide for International Students 2022 | rwcmd.ac.uk 05 RWCMD

A Guide for International Students 2022 | rwcmd.ac.uk COURSES AND TUITION FEES FOR SEPTEMBER 2022 ENTRY

Course Course Duration Application System Tuition Fees Per Year* Foundation Degree in Scenic Construction 2 Years UCAS Undergraduate £22,505

*subject to annual increase.

Undergraduate Course Course Duration Application System Tuition Fees Per Year* BA (Hons) Acting 3 Years UCAS Conservatoires £23,811 BA (Hons) Musical Theatre 3 Years UCAS Conservatoires £22,505 BA (Hons) Design for Performance 3 Years UCAS Undergraduate £22,505 BA (Hons) Stage Management and Technical Theatre 3 Years UCAS Undergraduate £22,505 BMus (Hons) Music – Instrumental and Vocal 4 Years UCAS Conservatoires £22,505 BMus (Hons) Music – Composition 4 Years UCAS Conservatoires £22,505 BMus (Hons) Jazz 4 Years UCAS Conservatoires £22,505

*subject to annual increase.

Postgraduate – Drama Course Course Duration Application System Total Course Cost 06 MA Acting for Stage, Screen and Radio 13 months UCAS Conservatoires £23,811 RWCMD MA Arts Management 13 months UCAS Conservatoires £19,609

A Guide for International Students 2022 MA Musical Theatre 10 months UCAS Conservatoires £23,811 MA Design for Performance 18 months* UCAS Conservatoires £22,505 MA Stage and Event Management 15 months* UCAS Conservatoires £22,505

*See course pages for further information.

Postgraduate – Music Tuition Fee – Tuition Fee – 2 Year Programme | rwcmd.ac.uk Course Application System Intensive Programme** (Annual fee*) MMus Music Performance (Instrumental)*** UCAS Conservatoires £22,505** £21,962 MMus Music Performance (Vocal) UCAS Conservatoires £23,811** £23,298 MMus Composer-Performer (Instrumental) UCAS Conservatoires – £21,962 MMus Composer-Performer (Voice) UCAS Conservatoires – £23,298 MA Jazz UCAS Conservatoires – £21,962 MA Opera Directing UCAS Conservatoires £22,505** – MA Advanced Opera Performance UCAS Conservatoires – £23,245 MA Repetiteur Studies UCAS Conservatoires – £21,962 MA Opera 360: The Opera Industry (Online Course)**** UCAS Conservatoires – £9,000 Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Practice UCAS Conservatoires £22,505** – Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) (Instrumental)*** UCAS Conservatoires £21,198** £20,760 Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) (Vocal) UCAS Conservatoires £22,505** £21,962 Postgraduate Diploma Composer-Performer (Instrumental) UCAS Conservatoires – £20,760 Postgraduate Diploma Composer-Performer (Voice) UCAS Conservatoires – £21,962 Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance UCAS Conservatoires £21,198** –

*subject to annual increase. **See course pages for information on intensive programme duration. ***Awards available: Brass Band Conducting, Choral Conducting, Collaborative Piano, Composition, Historical Performance (Instrumental or Voice), Multi Instrument Woodwind Performance, Music Performance (Instrumental or Voice), Orchestral Conducting, Orchestral Performance. ****The course can also be studied part time or in a module format. See course pages for further information.

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is part of the University of South Wales Group and all our degrees are validated by the University of South Wales. 07 RWCMD

A Guide for International Students 2022 | rwcmd.ac.uk

I’ve worked with recent Royal Welsh College graduates and these actors need to be aware of how good they are, and to know that they are the *best in the country. They have those essential qualities an actor needs – confidence and self- esteem, combined with that all-important low ego. They are totally professional, hugely talented and at ease, able to take direction – an absolute joy. Owen Teale, Actor, Game of Thrones 08 RWCMD HOW TO APPLY

A Guide for International Students 2022

First, complete the online Auditions/Interviews application. The College uses Entry to the programme of study two separate application systems; is determined by audition or “UCAS Conservatoires” and interview. For 2022 entry, all “UCAS Undergraduate”. Please see auditions will be held virtually, the table on page 6, which shows or via recording, and interviews which application system to use for will be online. | rwcmd.ac.uk your chosen course. Please visit The UCAS Conservatoires code for www.rwcmd.ac.uk/auditions for the Royal Welsh College of Music & audition guidance for your chosen Drama is R59. Please see your course. chosen course page on the RWCMD website (www.rwcmd.ac.uk) for your course code. www.ucas.com/conservatoires

The UCAS Undergraduate code for the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is R86. Please see your chosen course page on the RWCMD website (www.rwcmd.ac.uk) for your course code. www.ucas.com/undergraduate

STUDY ABROAD

If you are studying for a full degree These programmes enable you to Programmes are available at programme in a country outside the take part in high-level creative undergraduate/graduate levels in: EU, our Study Abroad programmes projects in a forward-thinking, + Music offer you the opportunity to industry-linked institution, where + Acting immerse yourself within the you will have enhanced contact with + Musical Theatre relevant department here at the an individual professional mentor + Design for Performance Royal Welsh College of Music & and access to our vibrant arts + Stage Management & Drama and follow an intensive centre, with its fantastic roster of Technical Theatre pathway for 1 or 2 terms (13 or 26 visiting international artists. + Arts Management. weeks), or a full academic year. Further benefits of these For further details, visit The Study Abroad programme programmes include dedicated www.rwcmd.ac.uk/studyabroad allows you to fully immerse English language support (where yourself in an exciting and creative needed). environment and experience a new culture, whilst developing an additional set of professional skills which broaden your horizons and networks.

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A Guide for International Students 2022

Scholarships Entry Requirements Accommodation/ Scholarships are awarded on the Applicants who are non-native Student Housing basis of merit following audition/ speakers of English are also required Unite Students Severn Point, the interview. You will automatically be to achieve a minimum level of Royal Welsh College of Music & considered for a scholarship when English language, determined by an Drama’s student housing, is a secure you make your application. You IELTS (or equivalent) test. IELTS and comfortable environment which do not need to make a separate levels can be found on the course complements the College’s unique | application. If you receive an offer page of the website. community spirit. rwcmd.ac.uk of a place following an audition/ + Rent is £132.00 per week inclusive interview, your offer letter will If you have been offered a place of bills for the academic year include details of any scholarship at College but you have not quite 2021/22* awarded. achieved the required IELTS score, + The accommodation is arranged you may be eligible to enrol on the in flats of six rooms. Each flat has Pre-sessional English Language a high quality fully fitted kitchen Course, which starts in July every and living areas. You will have your year and is held at RWCMD in own bedroom and bathroom Cardiff. This course combines + Free high-speed internet and Academic Preparation, General wifi access English and Study Skills and aims + 10 minutes’ walk to the to improve your overall IELTS score, College campus so that you can begin your studies in September. *Housing fees for 2022/23 entry will be released soon. Check www.rwcmd.ac.uk/accommodation Further details can be found at for update. www.rwcmd.ac.uk/international

I had no idea it would be this extraordinary. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, *Musical Theatre Composer The students are well prepared for the industry, have fantastic facilities and are supported by a passionate, creative and knowledgeable staff. *Edward Thomas, multi-award winning Production Designer of Doctor Who, Sherlock, and Da Vinci’s Demons

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A Guide for International Students 2022 | rwcmd.ac.uk 11 RWCMD

A Guide for International Students 2022 | rwcmd.ac.uk ALUMNI

01/ 05/ 09/ Anthony Boyle Joanne Higginbottom Tim Routledge Anthony was cast in the role of Scorpius Malfoy Joanne completed an internship with Tim works as lighting designer and in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child when he composer, guitarist, songwriter, and record programmer for broadcast, concerts and was in his final year at RWCMD. He now has a producer, Tyler Bates in Los Angeles whilst events across the globe. Notable highlights string of awards and nominations under his in her final year of study. After graduating, amongst Tim’s varied career include designer belt, including Winner of Olivier Awards – Joanne went to work for Tyler and has for the opening and closing ceremonies of Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Nominated for since co-composed Primal, Samurai Jack, the Commonwealth Games 2014, the Queens 2018 NYC Drama Desk Awards – Outstanding The Public (Emilio Estevez); score co- Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Featured Actor, Nominated for 2018 Tony produced for The Spy Who Dumped Me; and Palace, Ryder Cup opening concert, the Award – Best Performance by an Actor in provided additional music for Fast & Furious opening and closing ceremonies of the a Featured Role. Upcoming roles include the Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Guardians of the London Olympics and lighting programmer WW2 drama series Masters of the Air, Galaxy 1 & 2, John Wick 1, 2 & 3, Marvel’s for the London Handover Ceremony at the produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. The Punisher, Deadpool 2 and DC Comics Beijing Olympics. He’s worked with Beyonce, Dark Nights. The Spice Girls, U2, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Rhianna 02/ and designed Stormzy’s now iconic headline Chanáe Curtis 06/ show at Glastonbury which has been hailed as American soprano Chanáe studied at the Ollie Howell a watershed moment culturally for the urban Manhattan School of Music before graduating Since completing his BMus Music at RWCMD, music scene. from the MA Opera Performance programme drummer Ollie has established himself as a at RWCMD. Highlights include performing film/TV composer, multi-instrumentalist and 10/ for HRH the Prince of Wales at Buckingham producer. Ollie has written music for multi- Tom Scutt Palace; with the Hallé Orchestra; and the award winning films and international TV Tom regularly works at most of London’s role of Anna Gomez in The Consul at Welsh series and his work has been screened at major theatres. He has provided the UK National Opera. Chanáe made her debut at the film festivals around the world. Ollie has also premiere designs for award-winning plays Metropolitan Opera New York performing the released two jazz albums and toured the King Charles III and Jesus Christ Superstar for role of Annie in Porgy & Bess before going on world, receiving critical acclaim. A protégé Regents Park Open Air Theatre. On Broadway, to roles as Musetta in La Bohéme and Léontine of Quincy Jones, whom he first performed Tom has provided set & costume designs for 12 in L’Amant Anonyme at the Wolf Trap Opera. for at RWCMD, Ollie is also the only ever jazz Constellations, King Charles III (for which he recipient of a prestigious Sky Academy Arts received a 2016 Tony nomination) and Les RWCMD 03/ Scholarship. Liaisons Dangereuses. In 2019 he received The Toks Dada Stage Debut nomination for Best Director for

A Guide for International Students 2022 While studying viola as an undergraduate at 07/ Berberian Sound Studio, Donmar Warehouse RWCMD, Toks developed an interest in arts Alis Huws and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Set management and established the successful Alis Huws became the new Official Harpist Design and nomination for Best Costume contemporary music ensemble, Sinfonia to The Prince of Wales before graduating Design for Little Shop of Horrors, Regent’s Newydd. He went on to complete an MA in from her course at RWCMD. Alis has also Park Open Air Theatre. Arts Management at RWCMD and became represented the Welsh Government in Classical Programme Manager at Town Hall Japan and across Europe and is the Youth 11/ and Symphony Hall, Birmingham before Coordinator for the World Harp Congress Alexander Vlahos becoming Head of Classical Music at 2022 which will be held in Cardiff. Alexander is best known for his roles as Southbank Centre in 2020. He is also a Philipe d’Orleans in the periodic drama spokesperson for diversity and inclusion within 08/ Versailles, starring in all 30 episodes as the music profession and a Non-Executive Tianyi Lu the brother of the notorious King Louis XIV, Director of Welsh National Opera. Tianyi is making a name for herself across and as Mordred in the medieval fantasy | rwcmd.ac.uk the continents as Assistant Conductor of the fiction Merlin. 2021 sees Alexander star in 04/ Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a Dudamel series 2 of Britbox UK and PBS’ Sanditon. Dawn Hardwick Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic London-based soloist, chamber, orchestral Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the and contemporary pianist Dawn Hardwick, St. Woolos Sinfonia in the UK, Associate completed her BMus studies at RWCMD. She Female Conductor-in-Residence with Welsh is now the member-director of the original National Opera and in 2021, Conductor in six-piano ensemble, Piano Circus, who are at Residence of Stavanger Symphony Orchestra the forefront of commissioning and performing in Norway. This international outset of her new works for multiple pianos. She has wide career includes collaborations with the Los experience as a soloist, performing John Angeles Philharmonic, the Hallé Orchestra, Psathas’ double concerto View From Olympus Dallas Opera Orchestra, Royal Welsh College for amplified piano and percussion with Dame of Music Symphony Orchestra, Bristol Evelyn Glennie. In July 2020 she delivered the Metropolitan Orchestra, Sydney Symphony online performance Classical for Kids: Playful and Auckland Philharmonia. Piano, as part of the Royal Albert Home series.

The Royal Welsh College changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the training it gave *me. It allowed me to approach the professional industry with the confidence I needed. Anthony Boyle 01/ 02/ 03/

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09/ 10/ 11/ [email protected] +44 (0)292039 1361 Office withany queries: Please contact theAdmissions www.rwcmd.ac.uk courses, please visitourwebsite: For furtherdetails aboutallour 5 4 3 2 1

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** Homeof * National Dance Company Wales BBC NationalOrchestra ofWales and Home ofWelsh NationalOpera. Doctor Who, Sherlock,Casualty

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of SouthWales Group. & Drama ispartof theUniversity The Royal Welsh College ofMusic

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Photography Credits: Catrin Arwel, NB:Design, Kirsten McTernan, Kiran Ridley, LGEmerick Photography