INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE TOP WITH MORE THAN CONSERVATOIRE FOR 800 PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS IN THE UK, SECOND IN FROM MORE THAN EUROPE AND JOINT THIRD IN THE WORLD QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2016 60 COUNTRIES THE RCM IS AN INTERNATIONAL LOCATED OPPOSITE THE COMMUNITY ROYAL IN THE HEART OF LONDON ALBERT HALL HOME TO THE ANNUAL TOP UK SPECIALIST INSTITUTION BBC PROMS FESTIVAL FOR MUSIC COMPLETE UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2017 100% OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS IN OVER OF EMPLOYMENT OR 40% FURTHER STUDY STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM SIX MONTHS AFTER GRADUATION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS HIGHER EDUCATION STATISTICS AGENCY SURVEY CONCERTS AND MASTERCLASSES TOP LONDON WATCHED IN CONSERVATOIRE COUNTRIES FOR WORLD-LEADING WORLDWIDE IN 2014 75 RESEARCH VIA THE RCM’s RESEARCH EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK YOUTUBE CHANNEL 2 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC / WWW.RCM.AC.UK WELCOME The Royal College of Music is one of the world’s greatest conservatoires, training gifted musicians from all over the globe for a range of international careers as performers, conductors and composers. We were proud to be ranked the top conservatoire for performing arts in the UK, second in Europe and joint third in the world in the 2016 QS World University Rankings. The RCM provides a huge Founded in 1882 by the future King Edward VII, number of performance the RCM has trained some of the most important opportunities for its students. figures in British and international music life. We hold more than 500 Situated opposite the Royal Albert Hall, our events a year in our building and location are the envy of the world. magnificent performance We also seek to push the boundaries of music spaces and in venues across as leaders in digital innovation. The RCM’s London, including orchestral exceptional facilities, teaching staff and state-of- concerts, opera, chamber music and music by our the-art technology will help you to become the very own composers. future of music. You will receive teaching from RCM professors Professor Colin Lawson, Director who represent the best international talent and CBE, MA (Oxon), MA, PhD, DMus, FRCM, are committed to helping you through your studies, FRNCM, FLCM, HonRAM and you will be encouraged to develop as an artist by exploring the research behind music in practice. The RCM is the perfect place to do this as we were named the London conservatoire with the highest percentage of world-leading research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC / WWW.RCM.AC.UK 3 RCM COMMUNITY RCM RCM COMMUNITY Here at the Royal College of Music, we consider our international community to be our greatest asset. Around half of our 800 students come from outside the UK, and we currently have students from more than 60 different countries studying here. Our professors come Your fellow students will also help you to settle RCM GRADUATES from across the globe, in. There are plenty of opportunities to get to INCLUDE: bringing with them a know each other through RCM activities such wealth of experience and as social events run by the RCM Students’ Sir Thomas Allen Sir Malcolm Arnold expertise. This helps to Union (SU) and welcome events at our hall of Sophie Bevan make the RCM a friendly, residence. The SU includes every student enrolled Alfie Boe exciting and diverse hub of at the RCM. It represents all students and works Julian Bream music-making and a truly closely with Student Services to ensure the Benjamin Britten international community. wellbeing of students. Natalie Clein Michael Collins We understand that moving to a new country can Our graduates all around the world tell us Sarah Connolly feel like a big step, and we will do everything we how fondly they remember their time at the Sir Colin Davis can to help make you feel at home. Our Registry RCM. We believe that you won’t find a Amy Dickson and Student Services staff provide advice and more welcoming and inspiring place to study Barry Douglas support for international students across a range of anywhere in the world. Gerald Finley practical subjects including visas and immigration, Sir James Galway financial advice or just finding out how to make Kevin Porter, Deputy Director John Harle the most of your time here. HonRCM Gustav Holst Daniel Hope Alina Ibragimova Andrew Kennedy John Lill Julian Lloyd Webber Sir Neville Marriner Malcolm Martineau Anna Meredith Sir Roger Norrington Sir Peter Pears Howard Shelley Dame Joan Sutherland Melvyn Tan Sir Michael Tippett Thomas Trotter Mark-Anthony Turnage Vasko Vassilev Jane Watts Dame Gillian Weir Ralph Vaughan Williams John Williams 4 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC / WWW.RCM.AC.UK RCM COMMUNITY Since coming to the RCM, my development as a pianist, violinist and overall musician has been exponential. I look forward to every lesson each week, be it instrumental or academic, because I know that there will be something new to learn and something that will help propel me to the next level as a musician. The RCM’s resources are fantastic – from the extensive library collections and state-of- the-art recording equipment to the performance opportunities available through school activities and the Creative Careers Centre. Perhaps one of the most attractive things about the RCM is its supportive environment, especially among students. As much as I have learnt from my teachers, I have learnt a great deal from working with my friends and colleagues. Be it in chamber music rehearsals or in classes, everyone is always encouraging to one another. Wilford Goh, Bachelor of Music (Piano and Violin) ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC / WWW.RCM.AC.UK 5 LONDON LIFE LONDON LOCATION Studying at the RCM, in one of the world’s leading cultural capitals, will open up anLOCATION amazing array of opportunities to you. Our students perform in venues across the city, In London, you will find an amazing array of including churches, museums, galleries and activities to experience and explore. In addition to concert halls. There are regular chamber concert the major London orchestras which present exciting opportunities at local venuesLondon St Stephen’s is one Church of theprogrammes most international every year, the finest cities international on earth, with communities from on nearby Gloucester Road and St Mary Abbots musicians, conductors and ensembles visit regularly on Kensington High Street,every just a shortcorner bus ride of from the world.to perform Studyingin beautiful concert at hallsthe acrossRoyal the city.College of Music, in one of the RCM. Our musicians also regularly perform at St James’s Piccadilly, Chelseathe world’sand Westminster leading culturalLondon also capitals,offers world-class will theatre, offer dance you and amazing opportunities. Hospital, the Royal Academy of Art, Kings Place art, unmissable historical attractions and world- and at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room. famous museums and art galleries, many of which are free to visit. Further afield, our orchestras and large ensembles perform at major venues in and around the city, As a student, you will be entitled to discounted tickets including the Royal FestivalOur Hall, students Southbank perform Centre in venuesand travel, across so youthe cancity, make the most of your time in and Alexandra Palace. the capital and enjoy all London hasSTUDYING to offer. IN FIND OUT including concert halls, churches, museums and MORE galleries. There are performances in venues SOUTH KENSINGTON www.rcm.ac.uk/ including St James’s Piccadilly, Chelsea and The RCM’s location is the envy of the musical location Westminster Hospital, the Royal Academy of Art, world. We are situated directly opposite the the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, Cadogan Royal Albert Hall in one of London’s most Hall and Royal Festival Hall. attractive and vibrant areas – South Kensington. In addition to the major London orchestras which The RCM is situated just ten minutes’ walk from present exciting programmes every year, the South Kensington underground station, meaning finest international musicians, conductors and all the major sights and London’s vibrant cultural ensembles regularly perform in beautiful concert life are just a few minutes away. halls across the city. London also offers world- class theatre, dance and art, unmissable historical The RCM is located within the heart of the attractions and world-famous museums and art Exhibition Road Cultural Quarter, London’s galleries, many of which are free to visit. premier hub of cultural activity. Within just five minutes’ walk, you will find: • Imperial College London which has one of Westfield the largest and most active student bodies Shopping Hyde Park Oxford Street in the capital. Centre Royal Opera House • The Royal Albert Hall, the nation’s favourite Royal College concert hall and home of the BBC Proms. of Music • Three of the UK’s biggest museums: Shakespeare’s Globe the Science Museum, the Natural History Prince Consort Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Village Royal Festival Hall • Hyde Park, one of the most attractive green spaces in London. Buckingham Houses of Parliament CENTRAL • The Royal College of Art. Palace London Eye LONDON • The Goethe-Institut, Austrian Cultural Forum, Institut français and Ismaili Centre. • Great places to eat and socialise with friends. 20 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC / WWW.RCM.AC.UK 6 ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC / WWW.RCM.AC.UK ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC / WWW.RCM.AC.UK 7 OUR HERITAGE AND DIGITAL INNOVATION AND DIGITAL OUR HERITAGE OUR HERITAGE AND DIGITAL INNOVATION By coming to the Royal College of Music, you become part of a continually unfolding story of success. For more than 130 years our students have gone on to international stardom, so at the RCM you can enjoy treading in the footsteps of the world’s leading composers, conductors, singers and instrumentalists.