On the edge of Bute Park, a short walk from Cardiff Castle, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama trains musicians, actors, designers and stage managers. It's a small conservatoire, and entry is by audition or interview rather than grades alone. The building has its own concert hall and theatre, where students perform in public all year. Wales's national conservatoire, and part of the University of South Wales group.
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Official website: rwcmd.ac.uk
National conservatoire of Wales
Bute Park, next to Cardiff Castle
Dora Stoutzker Hall and Richard Burton Theatre
Part of the University of South Wales group
£24,000 – £32,000
International students, undergraduate and postgraduate
£11,000 – £14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on rwcmd.ac.uk before you apply.
BMus (Hons) Music
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
Audition, IELTS: 6.0
BA (Hons) Acting
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
Audition, IELTS: 6.0
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
Audition, IELTS: 6.0
BA (Hons) Stage Management and Technical Theatre
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
Interview, IELTS: 6.0
MMus Performance
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
Audition, IELTS: 6.5
MA Arts Management
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
Interview, IELTS: 6.5
Acting and musical theatre training with public productions every year.
A concert hall and theatre inside the college building.
Stage management and design courses that work on real shows.
Actors and musical theatre graduates work in theatre, television and audio drama.
Musicians join orchestras, opera companies and ensembles or build freelance teaching careers.
Stage management graduates find work backstage in theatres, touring shows and events.
The UK Graduate Route gives two years to build a performing career after graduating.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Main intake
The college backs onto Bute Park, so rehearsals and walks along the River Taff are close together. Cathays, the main student area, is ten minutes away on foot.
Cardiff is a small capital and cheaper than most UK cities. BBC Wales drama is made at Roath Lock in the bay, and the Wales Millennium Centre stages touring shows.
CAS from the institution
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
Most applications go through UCAS Conservatoires. Music deadlines fall in early October for the following September, and drama deadlines are usually in January. Audition slots fill up, so apply early.
Nearly every programme starts once a year, in September.
You'll apply for a Student visa. Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gives you a CAS number once your offer is unconditional and the deposit is paid. You can then apply online up to six months before the course starts, with bank evidence and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Acting, musical theatre, music performance and stage management are the big draws. Offers depend mainly on your audition or interview. Undergraduates usually need IELTS 6.0 and postgraduates 6.5.
The college gives scholarships and bursaries, mostly based on talent shown at audition. International students are considered, though awards rarely cover full fees.
