Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

It's in the picturesque surroundings of Cathays Park, just behind Cardiff Castle. Access is marvellous, only 10 minutes' walk from the central bus station, railway station and city centre. College has new halls of residence at Cambrian Point, mostly for undergraduates (several postgrad places in flats at Severn Point); superb quality, city-centre accommodation just 12 minutes walk from College, in a highly secure and comfortable environment. Individual music practice rooms on-site and colour TV (with Sky digital package). If you don't fancy halls, it's easy to find houses in walking distance of college (in Cathays, Roath or Canton); a comprehensive SU housing list is part of student life pack sent to all new students. Variety of ages and nationalities at college, even though it is one of the smallest in UK. Enthusiastic SU organises successful graduands' and freshers' balls. Freshers' week is packed full of entertainment; many other events throughout the year. Societies currently include LGBT, overseas society, girl's and boy's football, cricket, yoga, aerobics and Christian Union. College is friendly and intimate so you will soon discover fellow students with similar interests. As a capital, Cardiff has a plethora of pubs, clubs and takeaways to suit all tastes and, of course, cinemas and theatres. St David's Hall, the Cardiff International Arena, the Millennium Centre and the Millennium Stadium (spiritual home of Welsh rugby) are all in the heart of Cardiff, putting on a huge range of events. Relations between staff and students are good; much of the teaching is in small groups. The atmosphere for both music and drama students is less cut-throat than at some colleges, and the drop-out rate is low. Numerous concerts, annual full-scale opera and usually 6 drama department productions a term. Stage management pantomime is an annual must - mercilessly mocks everyone else in college! Whatever the course, the emphasis is always firmly on performance.

Housing: Halls of residence; SU housing list for private housing. Eats: College canteen and coffee/sandwich bar (meal £3-ish). Outside college, abundance of good (and bad!) restaurants and takeaways from every corner of the world at varying prices. Drink: SU run college bar is cheap (£1.80 a pint). Plenty of local student pubs around to cater for Cardiff's large student population. Brains is local brewery. Nightlife: Regular SU events in college. Cardiff is full of things to do and plenty of busy, entertaining nightclubs. Locals: Very friendly; high student population in city. Sports: Union sports societies; access to Cardiff University sports centre; cheap student membership at the Welsh Institute of Sport. Travel: Main train and bus stations within walking distance. All student housing close to college. Financial help: Bursary funds and hardship funds. College staff helpful in giving advice. Jobs: Relatively easy to find part-time work in term-time. College employs students as front of house staff as do local theatre and concert venues. Informal Name: RWCMD, or Royal Welsh Coll. Best features: Welcoming, friendly and very supportive college. And worst: Being small - everyone knows everyone else (good when you need a friend or good time but bad the morning after you've been a little naughty).  

Anthony Hopkins, Victor Spinetti, Simon Trinder (actors); Peter Gill (writer and director); Caryl Thomas (harpist); Iris Williams (singer); Anthony Stuart Lloyd (opera singer); Eve Myles (Torchwood). 

Ring SU on 029 2037 2700.