<p>Have any Canadians attended a uk school or stayed after grad? From what I’ve learned immigration is a little easier for us. Also are we eligible to different scholarships?</p>
<p>@luvzthe8r – Unfortunately I believe the 2 year grace period for students on a visa in the UK has been shortened (to 4 months – thats what it said on the website which is crazy!). My friend who just graduated from a drama school in London who is having to deal with that. Not sure if it’s been shortened to something so ludicrous as only 4 months but I know it is a significant change. Basically once you graduate as a US student you’ve got to find work fast if you want to stay in the country.</p>
<p>I contacted RCS and you are right, NYMT191. The VISA laws changed in April. The 4 months your friend in London is referring to probably has to do with the Tier 4 VISA he/she received to study in the U.K. After you finish college, you are allowed to stay/work in the U.K. for up to 4 months before your VISA expires. </p>
<p>There are still some options to work in the U.K. after graduation, but it appears it’s not as easy as it used to be 
There is a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent VISA that could apply to some graduates who have high potential to be leaders in their art form. It lasts for 3 years and 4 months with a possible 2 year extension. There is a Tier 2 General for students who have been offered a job of $20,000 pounds+ a year. There is a Tier 5 Creative Temporary VISA for artists to work in the U.K. for 1 year with a possible extension of 2 years (has to be submitted for outside of the U.K.), and there is the Ancestry VISA if a parent or grandparent is a British citizen (alwaysamom’s D qualified for this). </p>
<p>The other options for post graduation would be to get a Master’s degree in the U.K. (or the U.S.) during that 4th year or return to the U.S. and head to NY, Chicago, or L.A. for work.</p>
<p>Thanks for pointing this out. I did not know about the change until you brought it up.</p>
<p>Here is the link for exact wording and details: [UK</a> Border Agency | Working in the UK](<a href=“http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/]UK”>Work in the UK - GOV.UK)</p>
<p>Most of the UK schools are eligible for federal loans. There are a couple of people on here whose kids have graduated from RCS. tnactorsdad and frozenchosenak, they may be able to help with after graduation info.</p>
<p>This is another example of collaboration at RCS between the MT and DFT departments. This was filmed after “Musicville”. The second year MT students (from last year) worked with DFT (Digital Film & Television) students and BBC mentors to create a musical short film called “Horrorville”. This shows what goes on behind the scenes in their collaborative project and how different teams work together creatively.</p>
<p>[Horrorville</a> - BTS - YouTube](<a href=“Horrorville - Behind the Scenes - YouTube”>Horrorville - Behind the Scenes - YouTube)</p>
<p>RCS students have learning modules with flexibility to study outside their major at various times throughout the 3 year program. I am very interested in film and directing, too, so I hope I get the chance to explore a little of the technical side in addition to performance.</p>
<p>I’m home for winter break and wanted to let everyone know I absolutely LOVE RCS! I moved to Glasgow the last week of September and freshers week started October 1st. There are 17 MT majors in my year, mostly from the United Kingdom, and there is one other American besides me. We are all different types. We have become extremely close over the past few months both in class and socially. The MT freshers take turns hosting a weekly dinner and movie night in halls, and we go to shows, concerts and clubs together. A few students live nearby and we have traveled to their homes for sleepovers. We are like a family and everyone is very supportive of each other.</p>
<p>The staff at RCS is absolutely incredible. Andrew Panton is the head of our department and is well connected in the industry. He works with Susan Boyle and on BBC Television shows such as “Tonight’s The Night”. Andrew is amazing to work with and brings out the best in each of us. The conservatoire also has creative teams that are assigned to students as needed. All teachers have had extensive training in everything they teach. We are treated as professionals and expected to conduct ourselves with the same regard.</p>
<p>My Schedule:</p>
<p>Monday:
8 - 9:30 Body Conditioning; 10 - 12 Choir; 12 - 1 Program Meeting; 2 - 6 Intro to Collaborative Practice</p>
<p>Tuesday:
8:30 - 10 Ballet; 10 - 11:30 Independent Study; 2 - 4 Voice/Dialect; 4 - 5:30 Floor Barre; 7 - 9 Artist In Development (the business end of the industry)</p>
<p>Wednesday:
9 - 11 Contemporary Dance; 11 - 1 Acting; 2 - 3 Acting (1st Year MT’s); 3 - 6 Performance Class</p>
<p>Thursday:
9 - 11 Music Theory; 11 - 1 Singing and Instrumental Lessons; 2 - 6 Voice/Dialect</p>
<p>Friday:
9 - 11 Jazz; 11 - 1 Acting; 2 - 4 Critical & Contextual Studies; 5 - 8 Keyboarding (one hour time slots rotate)</p>
<ul>
<li>7 - 9 weekdays and sometimes on Saturdays we have rehearsals for various shows</li>
</ul>
<p>We have gotten several great opportunities so far. In early November we performed two songs for a televised charity event (BBC) called, “Children In Need”. RCS took us by bus to the BBC studio in Aberdeen for filming. Our performance was broadcast the next night throughout the U.K. Simon Beck (London West End Musical Director) was hired as the Musical Director for our December variety show, “Swingin’ Into Christmas”, and he will also be the MD for one of our spring shows, “Carousel”. First year MT’s had the chance to audition for the ensemble in that musical. They selected 3 girls and 4 guys and I was extremely lucky to be cast. This spring our class will also get to be on set with the 2nd year MT’s who will be working with the BBC filming their own script/movie.</p>
<p>I love living in Glasgow, and there are many fun things to do and see when we are not busy at the conservatoire. It’s easy to get around by walking, cab, bus, subway (clockwork orange) or train. Guy Fawkes Night & going to the St. Enoch Christmas Market are two of my favorites so far. I have visited Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Troon, and Liverpool (sister studies there) and may go to Spain with classmates for spring break. I do get a little homesick sometimes, but I FaceTime my friends and family, so that helps & having a sister in the U.K. is also a plus.</p>
<p>I am soooo glad I was accepted to RCS and am honored to be with so many amazingly talented people. Every day is inspiring. It feels like I have learned volumes in such a short time. The decision to attend RCS was the best decision I have made so far in my life and I am confident I will gain the skills necessary to have a career in MT.</p>
<p>Wondering when you were going to come back and let us know how things were going! I am so happy for you! It sounds like a fabulous program. Please keep up with the updates!</p>
<p>Luvsthe8r may I ask if you auditioned in the states? How do you feel about the dorm situation? I’m auditioning at the end of the month in NYC and really want to get in but the info about international auditions is scarce</p>
<p>@ TheatreG14</p>
<p>Last year RCS held auditions for five days in NYC (Ripley - Grier Studios) and 3 days in Chicago (Silversmith Hotel). I auditioned for both Theater and MT on the last day in Chicago. I did the auditions back to back but our dance call was a couple hours after both auditions. </p>
<p>I received a deferral for Theater within a few days of the audition and was accepted to MT about 8 days later. I had to choose whether to accept MT outright or put Acting as my first choice and MT second and wait for the final results. I wasn’t sure what to do, but my heart was telling me to go with MT, and so that was my decision. I am now 100% positive that MT was the perfect choice for me (although the RCS Acting program is amazing, also - I just love singing and dancing and wanted more training in those areas, too). I do not know if I would have made it into Theater, because I declared MT before their choices were posted. </p>
<p>As far as housing, RCS has no dorms. There are companies that provide student housing for area college & conservatoire students. Most freshers live in Liberty House and that’s where I live this year. It’s a ten minute fast walk from RCS and in the center of the city/shopping district. I love it and would highly recommend it for a first year student. Second and third years usually find flats to share.</p>
<p>RCS looks for unique individuals who are well rounded performers. In case you have not seen this, here is an interview of Andrew Panton about the BA MT course.</p>
<p><a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube;
<p>Break a leg!</p>
<p>Just to followup: Yes, RCS fully participates in the US Federal student loan program. It works the same as with any US school.</p>
<p>Do NOT plan on easing into the West End via the RCS. It can happen, in theory, but it’s unwise to bet on it, given the visa timeline.</p>
<p>Go to the RCS if you are adventurous, play an instrument, are willing to try new things in theater, and like to be challenged.</p>
<p>Acting alumnus Alan Cumming gives an overview about studying at RCS:</p>
<p><a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube;
<p>Break a leg to everyone auditioning for RCS at Unifieds over the next two weeks in NYC and Chicago!</p>
<p>We have looked closely at MT programs in the UK. We visited and my son auditioned at the Royal Conservatoire in Scotland this past January but was not accepted. We did, however, love the school and the program and staff were so helpful and friendly. He also auditioned and was accepted at Urdang Academy in London for the BA program in professional dance and MT which is actually more the program he was interested in due to the rigorous dance training that accompanies the MT training. Urdang was the reason we headed to London and the program did not disappoint.
In carefully assessing the price points, it has become clear for us that even with three solid US MT options and merit based scholarships, Urdang is still cheaper as the tuition is literally half of what it is in the US. Accommodations will be pricey but there are some great options at the International Student Hostel and other student housing options in and around London. Although we have not made our final decision, it will most likely be Urdang Academy in London. The employment stats of their alumnae over the past three years is unbelievable. Whether he becomes employed in the UK or returns home, I believe that all his training will be fully transferable anywhere he ends up.</p>