University Guide
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama attracts the best creative talent from across the globe. As Wales’ national conservatoire, they fire imagination and drive innovation, offering training to more than 800 actors, musicians, designers, technicians and arts managers from more than 40 countries. Our students’ extraordinary talent and potential is fused with exceptional teaching and unrivalled industry links, to bring dreams to life. A space for everyone, creative ambition and collaboration are central to their excellence. In addition to a diverse programme of performances involving students of all disciplines, the College attracts leading international artists, providing opportunities for students to learn up-close from some of the world's most renowned performers. With some of Wales’ most prestigious venues they operate a dynamic arts centre, and their performance programme of world-class professionals is integral to students’ training.
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The overview
The main things you need to know about studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
Rankings
BA Design - 100% Overall course satisfaction - Both the 2025 and 2026 National Student Survey (NSS); BMus Strings - 100% Overall course satisfaction (BMus (Hons) Strings) 2025 National Student Survey (NSS); BA Acting: 100% Overall course satisfaction 2023 National Student Survey (NSS).
Employability
MA Arts Management: We are very proud to have maintained a 100% employment record within the first year, 94% within the first 3 months, with students continuing to secure related jobs within three months of graduating.
Fees
Please visit their website to find the most up-to-date Home and International course fees.
Bursaries
Please visit their website for the most up-to-date information on scholarships and bursaries.
Accommodation
Severn Point is the College’s dedicated hall of residence which offers city centre accommodation. It's around a 12-minute walk to the College and in a highly secure and comfortable environment. The accommodation is only for Royal Welsh College students, so it’s a great way to meet friends and fellow RWCMD students. Severn Point provides a high-quality, fully fitted kitchen and living areas, with en-suite bedrooms that have telephone and data points, and are 40% larger than the UK average. The accommodation is arranged in flats of six rooms and includes provision for purpose-built bedrooms designed for students with disabilities. Specific flats have been reserved exclusively for postgraduate and international students. Every first-year student, including international and postgraduate students, is guaranteed accommodation in Severn Point if they apply before the accommodation deadline. The rent includes all bills, and it is advised for students to sign a 43-week contract. This ensures the room is yours during vacations, so you won't need to move your belongings home. For more information, visit their website.
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Students' Union
The Royal Welsh College Students’ Union (the SU) is a place to relax, unwind and have some fun. With its own dedicated space in the heart of the main campus, there’s a variety of activities and societies for you to enjoy. From society nights, Live Music Thursday and a weekly quiz to a space to eat your lunch and have a cuppa with your friends, the SU provides a safe space for ALL our students. Being a student on a great course at a fantastic conservatoire is crucial: but so is embracing all the opportunities which will come your way while you are a student. Although your main focus is your course (we hope), it’s also essential that you are able to enjoy events that aren’t linked with your course. At this SU, they believe that hard work pays off, however, there is an equal need to be able to enjoy downtime away from your course. You might want to play for sports clubs, take part in a fitness class, join one of the society groups, or become involved in the workings of student performances and festivals - whatever you do, you will be embracing a holistic student experience and adding value to your time here.
Famous for
The dedicated teachers at this institution have a wealth of professional and industry experience, and the College collaborates with a number of high-profile arts organisations, including BBC, Welsh National Opera and visiting artists and directors, to ensure that the unique vocational nature of our training programmes reflect the current practices and conditions of the professional world. Inspired by the possibilities of performance and creative diversity they champion collaboration and empower excellence in all its forms. Passion and craft entwine with experience and play to elevate, provoke, push and transform.
News
The Welsh Government has allocated £1.97 million in additional ring-fenced funding for high quality performance-based music and drama conservatoire higher education. The funding supports both the core delivery of world-class performance-based music and drama education and an enhanced focus on working in partnership across Wales to extend our reach, deepen engagement and broaden access to conservatoire-level training and creative opportunities. Importantly, it also represents a meaningful step towards addressing the long-standing funding gap between RWCMD and conservatoires in England, helping to level the playing field and strengthen the sustainability of specialist arts education in Wales. While subject to the relevant governance processes, this investment reinforces the Welsh Government’s commitment to nurturing Wales’ creative talent pipeline and securing a sustainable future for arts and culture.
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