There are currently many students at the Royal Conservatoire who have declared a disability. Fourteen per cent of students at the Conservatoire have been assessed as dyslexic, which is above the average for the UK population (around 4%). Many students are assessed as dyslexic, dyspraxic or dyscalculic for the first time while studying at the Conservatoire.
There are also students at the Royal Conservatoire who are deaf, blind, have AD(H)D, Autism, IBS, mobility impairments, epilepsy, M.E., cystic fibrosis, diabetes, mental health difficulties e.g. anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD.
Please contact Disability Services if you would like to discuss support for any disability or medical condition, such as a Learning Agreement (see below for more information.)
RCS can also help in arranging an assessment for dyslexia with a psychologist. RCS pays for these assessments. Please note RCS cannot arrange assessments for AD(H)D – these assessments require a referral to a clinical psychologist through your GP
Learning Agreements
All students who disclose a disability or medical condition are offered a Learning Agreement (LA). The LA is discussed and drawn up in a meeting with the student. In the meeting, discussions take place about adjustments that would be helpful for your studies; for example, you may find you prefer to have your recital scheduled in the afternoon, or you may need longer for sight reading exams, or to read over a script. The list of adjustments is then sent to your Head of Programme who circulates it to your tutors. The nature of the disability is kept confidential unless you request for it to be shared with your tutors, or you choose to discuss it directly with them.
Please contact Disability Services if you have any questions about Learning Agreements.
Resources
In this section you can find more information about different disabilities. For support with mental health disabilities please visit the Counselling section.
Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia
In Music
Vocal performance presents dyslexic students with particular challenges. Kamilla Dunstan, an RCS alumnus who graduated (with Distinction) from the MMus Performance course in 2015, chose to write her Research Project on Dyslexia and Music. Kamilla includes details about her own practice and approach to learning music as a dyslexic singer. Click below for Kamilla’s project:
Dunstan Kamilla Dyslexia and Music
General information
There are also many websites that provide information about dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia: Neuro Know How gives a good overall picture of neurodiversity – and it has been created especially for HE students and staff.
Dyslexia Action aims to provide information and support for anyone dealing with dyslexia.
Dyslexia Scotland also aims to provide advice and support for people with dyslexia in Scotland. There are local branches you can join as a member, and participate in meetings. Dyslexia Scotland is very active politically and lobbies the Scottish Government for greater awareness of dyslexia e.g. in schools.
The Dyspraxia Foundation website contains information for everyone living with dyspraxia; there is a section for HE students too.
The British Dyslexia Association has a section about dyscalculia, and also has general information for students applying to higher education courses.
Autism and Asperger’s
The National Autistic Society (Scotland) provides a wealth of information and support and campaigns for a better world for people with autism.
ADHD/ADD
This link offers some tips for students with ADD/ADHD on organisation and planning.