Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama: A World-Class Performing Arts Education

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD), the National Conservatoire of Wales, offers a vibrant and comprehensive education in the performing arts. Situated in the heart of Cardiff, overlooking beautiful urban parkland and a mere 5-minute stroll from the city center, RWCMD provides an unforgettable experience. With its commitment to excellence, diverse range of courses, and thriving arts community, RWCMD attracts talented students from around the globe. The college competes alongside an international peer group of conservatoires and specialist arts colleges for the best students globally, enabling students to enter and influence the world of music, theatre, design, and technical theatre.

Location and Environment

The College is set in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, bordering one of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in the UK. This location provides a unique blend of historical charm and natural beauty, enhancing the overall learning environment. RWCMD is well known for its distinctive warm and welcoming character. The college's location in Cardiff also offers students the opportunity to explore the rich culture and history of Wales. Wales offers lots to explore, with thousand-year-old castles and medieval cities such as Chester and York within easy traveling distance. Big cities like London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Dublin are just a few hours away.

A Hub of Performance and Culture

RWCMD is not only an educational institution but also a vibrant arts center, staging 500 performances a year, many of which are free. This gives students access to world-leading artists and student work, often side by side. Students can participate in a diverse area of activities, projects, clubs, and sports teams through the Student’s Union, fostering a close-knit community.

Undergraduate Courses

RWCMD offers a range of undergraduate courses designed to provide students with a solid foundation in their chosen discipline:

Acting (BA): A comprehensive program that equips students with the skills and techniques necessary for a successful career in acting.
Stage Management & Technical Theatre (BA): This course provides students with the knowledge and practical experience to excel in the technical aspects of theatre production.
Performance Design (BA): Students learn the art of creating visually stunning and impactful designs for theatrical performances.
Jazz (BMus): A program focused on developing students' skills in jazz performance, composition, and improvisation.
Music (BMus): A broad-based music program that covers various instruments, performance styles, and musical disciplines.

Graduate Courses

RWCMD's graduate programs offer advanced training and specialization in a variety of performing arts disciplines:

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Acting for Stage, Screen & Radio (MA): This program hones acting skills for various media, including stage, film, and radio.
Arts Management (MA): A course designed to equip students with the business and management skills necessary for a career in the arts industry.
Brass Band Conducting (M.Mus.): This program focuses on the techniques and artistry of conducting brass bands.
Choral Conducting (MA): Students learn the skills to lead and inspire choral ensembles.
Composition (M.Mus.): A program for aspiring composers to develop their creative voice and technical abilities.
Historical Performance (MA): This course explores the performance practices of historical music.
Jazz (MA): Advanced studies in jazz performance, composition, and arranging.
Music Performance (MA): A program for instrumentalists and vocalists to refine their performance skills.
Musical Theatre (MA): This course combines training in acting, singing, and dancing for musical theatre performance.
Opera Performance (MA): Students develop the skills and artistry necessary for a career in opera.
Orchestral Conducting (MA): This program focuses on the techniques and leadership skills required to conduct orchestras.
Orchestral Performance (MA): A program for instrumentalists to enhance their orchestral playing skills.
Collaborative Piano (M.Mus.): This course focuses on the art of accompanying and collaborating with other musicians.
Repetiteurship (MA): Students learn the skills to coach singers and prepare them for opera performances.
Stage and Event Management (MA): A program that provides students with the knowledge and practical experience to manage and execute successful stage and event productions.
Design (MA): This course explores the principles and practices of design for performance.
Directing (Theatre, Opera and Musical Theatre) (MFA): A course that will help students learn how to direct theatre, opera, and musical theatre.

Master's Programme Details

Here's a more detailed look at some of the Master's programmes offered, including tuition fees and duration:

Acting for Stage, Screen and Radio M.A.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 27692 GBP per year for international students and 16246 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 13 months.
Brass Band Conducting M.Mus.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 30400 GBP per year for international students and 14400 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 24 months.
Choral Conducting M.A.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 30400 GBP per year for international students and 14400 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 24 months.
Collaborative Piano M.Mus.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 30400 GBP per year for international students and 14400 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 24 months.
Composer - Performer M.Mus.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 30400 GBP per year for international students and 14400 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 24 months.
Composition M.Mus.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 30400 GBP per year for international students and 14400 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 13 months.
Design for Performance M.A.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 26510 GBP per year for international students and 13150 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 24 months.
Directing - Theatre, Opera and Musical Theatre M.F.A.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 31200 GBP per year for international students and 15600 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 24 months.
Arts Management M.A.: Full-time or part-time, available online or on-campus. Tuition fees are approximately 26600 GBP per year for international students and 13100 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 12 months.
Stage and Event Management M.A.: Full-time, on-campus program. Tuition fees are approximately 26510 GBP per year for international students and 13150 GBP per year for domestic students. The program lasts for 24 months.

Application Process and Important Information

To be considered for a place at RWCMD, applicants must apply through UCAS for the following courses: UCAS Conservatoires BMus (Hons) Music MMus & Postgraduate Music BA (Hons) Acting MA Acting for Stage, Screen and Recorded Media BA (Hons) Musical Theatre MA Musical Theatre MA Design Courses MA Stage & Event Management MA Arts Management UCAS Undergraduate BA Design for Performance BA Stage Management & Technical Theatre Foundation Degree in Scenic Construction Foundation Degree in Scenic Arts Foundation Degree in Technical Production MA Arts Management MFA in Movement Direction MFA in Writing Drama MAFA in Directing (Theatre, Opera and Musical Theatre) MFA in Voice, Speech and Text Coaching.

For 2026/7 entry, all candidates will be required to attend an audition, submit a recorded audition/portfolio, or attend an online interview to support their application. You will be able to submit/schedule these using the Acceptd platform.

Following the receipt of your formal acceptance of our offer of a study placement at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, we will ask you to submit a list of your chosen modules (courses) for registration in the VLE (virtual learning environment). Please be flexible - we can’t guarantee specific courses. You will apply for admission to a Principal Study area and be placed with the Year 2 or Year 3 cohort depending on your skill level. You will need to submit the Academic Preferences Form in your Arcadia Portal. List your area of principal study and desired elective modules. Please list a total of 5-6 courses. Autumn Term. Spring Term.

Student Life and Support

RWCMD prioritizes student health, safety, and security. As a participant on an Arcadia program, housing is guaranteed. The College is able to guarantee a room in the halls of residence for all new students beginning in September and who apply before the accommodation deadline. Along with a high quality fully fitted kitchen and living areas, all the en suite bedrooms have telephone and data points. There is also a separate block exclusively for international and postgraduate students. The rent is £132.00 per week inclusive of bills for the academic year 2021/22. You are advised to sign a 43-week contract so that the room is yours during the Christmas and Easter vacations - no need to move all your belongings home!

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Student services are excellent. In June 2011, the Royal Welsh College’s dream of having its own world-class performance and rehearsal spaces became a reality as it opened its doors to new £22.5 million facilities. From this year, students will be learning in a performance arts centre that will be a hub of cultural life in the city.

The library services provides all the resources students need. Our collection includes books, playscripts, journals, performance scores, orchestral sets, audio/visual material and online resources.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

RWCMD offers a variety of scholarships to support talented students. Below you will find scholarships related to Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers. Program fees listed are base fees only. Please select MORE INFO for an estimate of additional expenses and any additional fees that may be incurred based on enrollment selections or housing placements. Dates and fees for future terms will be posted as they become available. Every dollar helps!

Rankings and Recognition

National Conservatory of Wales and Number 1 for Drama in the UK (by The Guardian League Tables 2018), RWCMD is a centre of excellence for the performing arts and an All-Steinway Conservatory.

A Global Community

The community of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama includes teachers and students from more than 40 countries, and there is a constant flow of visiting artists and teachers from all over the world, ensuring that diversity and cultural exchange is hard-wired into the experience of all students at the College.

Shaping the Future of the Arts

RWCMD fundamentally believe in the power of music to transform and enrich society, developing skills in teaching, coaching and co-creating projects to create musicians of the future who will make an impact as performers, teachers and enablers within the broader community. Fundamental questions - ‘How can we shape the industry of the future’, ‘How can we use art to make a difference’ - help us to produce musicians who are truly relevant to a 21st Century world.

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