Here are some questions we are often asked by new students. If your query isn’t answered here, please do get in touch with us at matriculation@rcs.ac.uk.
I have questions regarding Covid-19. Does RCS have a frequently asked questions section dedicated to this topic?
Yes, you can find some of the most common questions on our Covid-19 pages.
When am I expected to arrive at the conservatoire?
For most students, Induction Week starts on Monday 20 September 2021. The exceptions are:
- Induction Week for Opera students will commence on Monday 6 September 2021
- PGDE students will begin their Term 1 on Monday 16 August 2021
Induction Week is a conservatoire-wide initiative designed to help ease you into life at RCS. It is an opportunity to find out about the facilities on campus, learn about relevant support services and meet other new students. It is a useful introduction to life in Glasgow and will help you settle into being a student at RCS before you begin your programme of study.
When is the earliest I can move into Base Glasgow?
Students can move into Base Glasgow beginning Saturday 18 September 2021. Staff and current students will be available to assist you with your luggage and to help you settle in.
I have a conditional offer, when do I have to meet my conditions by?
You must meet the conditions of your offer and send evidence of this to admissions@rcs.ac.uk by 31 August 2021. You are advised to send evidence as soon as your conditions have been met.
If your conditions include obtaining IELTS (English Language Test), the deadline for this will have been communicated by the RCS admissions team. If you have difficulty accessing an IELTS test due to COVID-19, please keep in touch with the admissions office on when you are able to take an IELTS test (or an alternative English Language test) and deadlines will be set/amended on a case-by-case basis.
When do I matriculate? Is this the same as registering?
Yes, matriculation and registering are the same thing. It is sometimes also referred to as enrolment. Matriculation information will be emailed to all new students at the end of August.
PGDE students will receive matriculation information in July.
I’m an exchange student, do I have a special induction programme?
No, you should attend all the same Induction Week activities as the other students on your programme of study. In addition, you will be invited to an online presentation specifically for Erasmus+, International Exchange and Study Abroad students and you may also wish to attend the Induction Week session for international students. We appreciate that you will not be new to higher education in your own country but the offering may be different in Scotland and the activities on offer will help you to settle in to your studies in Glasgow.
For exchange students starting in January 2022 there will be a succinct set of induction activities arranged for you within a small group setting on 5 January 2022. You will also commence classes on 5 January 2022.
Can I claim Council Tax Exemption as soon as I move into my accommodation?
If you are a full-time student, you will be entitled to Student Exemption from Council Tax. This exemption only applies from the start of your programme (e.g. 20 September 2021). Therefore if you move into accommodation prior to commencing your programme, you will not be entitled to exemption and will be liable for any changes. Further information about Council Tax is available in Accommodation in Glasgow Guide
When can I have confirmation that I am a student at the Conservatoire?
Student status letters can be requested after you have matriculated (e.g after 20 September 2021). We cannot confirm that you are an enrolled student until after your matriculation date. Due to the large number of requests at the start of the academic year, the turn-around time for issuing these letters will be between one and two weeks.
Can I open a UK bank account upon arrival in Glasgow?
Most of the banks in the city centre of Glasgow should be willing to offer you a basic bank account (no credit card or overdraft facilities). All banks will require a letter from RCS confirming your status as a student, which can only be given to you once you have matriculated (e.g after 20 September 2021) and submitted a Student Status Letter Request Form.
Due to the large number of such requests at the start of the academic year, the turn-around time for issue of these letters is between one and two weeks. You can submit your request for a student status/bank letter before you matriculate but it will not be produced until you have matriculated. You should not make an appointment with a bank until you have received your letter. For international students who want to open a UK bank account, further information is available at https://www.bba.org.uk/publication/leaflets/international-students/.
I’m from the USA and I want to fund my studies with Federal Aid. What do I need to do?
You need to complete a FAFSA for award year 2021/2022. A member of staff will then be in touch with you in May 2021 to let you know how much you’re eligible to borrow and the steps you need to take in order to ensure that your loan is in place for September 2021. Please see the RCS website for further information – https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/finance/feesandfunding/us-federal-student-aid/
Are there any places my parents/carer(s) can stay while I am moving in over the weekend?
These local hotels are near the conservatoire and can offer a discounted rate.
When will I receive my timetable?
You will receive your Induction Week timetable at the end of August along with your induction/matriculation pack. You will be shown how to access your class timetable on our ASIMUT system during your IT Induction session in induction week. Your timetable will not be available before you matriculate.
PGDE students will receive their timetable the week of the 16 August 2021 and MMus Opera students on the 6th of September.
When will I receive my programme handbook?
You will receive your programme handbook at either the end of August or the first week of term (Programme dependent). The programme handbook is sometimes referred to as a course catalogue.
PGDE students will receive their programme handbook the week of the 16 August 2021 and MMus Opera students on the 6th of September.
Who is my Programme Support Administrator?
Each Programme/Department is assigned a Programme Support Administrator (PSA) who will provide students and staff with administrative support in relation to the delivery of the programme. If you wish to know who the PSA is for your Programme/Department please see below:
| Programme/Department | Programme Support Administrator |
| BA Acting, BA Performance in BSL & English | Ruth Calder (R.Calder@rcs.ac.uk) |
| BA Contemporary Performance Practice | Shannon Carrigan (S.Carrigan@rcs.ac.uk) |
| BA Musical Theatre, MA Musical Theatre | Sophie McAlpine (S.McAlpine@rcs.ac.uk) |
| BA Filmmaking, BA Production Arts & Design, BA Production Technology & Management | Alexis Stroemer (A.Stroemer@rcs.ac.uk) |
| BA Modern Ballet, MA/MFA Classical & Contemporary Text, Centre for Voice in Performance, Composition | Suzanne Shanks (S.Shanks@rcs.ac.uk) |
| BEd, PGDE, MEd/PGCert Learning & Teaching in the Arts | Catriona Donaldson (C.Donaldson2@rcs.ac.uk) |
| Conducting, Brass, Woodwind, Jazz (Performance) | Elizabeth Lawton (E.Lawton@rcs.ac.uk) |
| Strings, Guitar & Harp | Kate Thomson (K.Thomson1@rcs.ac.uk) |
| Keyboard, Timpani & Percussion, Traditional Music/Piping (Performance) | Erika Suchanova (E.Suchanova@rcs.ac.uk) |
| Vocal Studies | Josie Stay (J.Stay@rcs.ac.uk) |
| Opera | Laura McAllister (L.McAllister@rcs.ac.uk) |
| School of Music, Academic Studies, Jazz (Academic) and Traditional Music (Academic) | Catherine Jackson (C.Jackson@rcs.ac.uk) |
If you have any programme-specific questions, the PSAs can assist you. The PSAs are supported by Assistant Registrar, Susan Lee Kidd (s.leekidd@rcs.ac.uk).
When will I receive my matriculation card?
Matriculation cards are not issued until the start of the academic year on 20 September 2021.
PGDE students will receive their matriculation cards the week of the 16 August 2021 and MMus Opera students on the 6th of September.
When will I find out my principal study teacher (School of Music students)?
You will find out your allocated principal study teacher when you commence your studies at the conservatoire.
Can I get in touch with current RCS students before I arrive?
If you would like to get in touch with a current RCS student before you arrive, please email SUAdmin@rcs.ac.uk. By emailing us, please note that you will be consenting to share your email address with that current student.
Can I work during my course?
There are two main issues to consider; are you legally able to and if you are, will you have enough time to do so given the demands of your course.
Students in the UK on a Student route visa can work for 20 hours per week during term time and full time during holiday periods. There are some kinds of work that Tier 4 students must not do:
- self-employment and business activity
- work as a professional sportsperson including as a sports coach
- work as an entertainer*
- a permanent full-time job
- doctor or dentist in training, unless you are on the foundation programme.
*Being unable to work as an entertainer in the UK can be seen as a disappointment to many students. However, Student route visa holders in the School of Music and on the BA Modern Ballet and BA/MA Musical Theatre programmes can work as entertainers if the contract is organised via the RCS External Engagements department and the performance forms an integral and assessed part of the student’s programme of study. Student route visa holders on programmes of study other than those listed above cannot work as entertainers. Any student can take up an unpaid performance provided they are doing so as an amateur and they are not seeking to derive a living from the activity. Receiving payment of any kind, including expenses, would be deemed as work. For more information please email the International and Student Experience Team or go to https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Working/What-kind-of-work-can-you-do
Students on a Visitor visa cannot work at all. As a Visitor, you cannot do any kind of work, work placement or work experience during your studies in the UK.
You should not rely on income from a part-time job to fund or supplement your living costs in Glasgow. Part-time jobs are available in the city but the programmes of study at RCS are intensive and your commitment to study may not afford you much spare time. If you’d like to find out whether you’ll have time to have a part-time job you can ask to be put in touch with your Head of Department/Programme.
The RCS does not offer Work-Study as happens in the USA.