Guildhall School of Music & Drama - In Depth

Founded: 1880, degree status granted 1945.

Site: Barbican, central London. How to get there: Moorgate underground station; many buses.

Special features: All teachers active in their professions outside the School. Visiting ensembles include Kungsbacka Trio, Dante String Quartet, Linos Wind Quintet. Takacs Quartet; early music ensemble-in-residence (Palladian), trio-in-residence (Florestan Piano Trio).

Awarding body: City University, Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BMus.

Length of courses: 4 years (BMus); 3 years.

Library & information services: Over 75,000 volumes, 60 periodicals, 44 study places; separate drama library and study area. IT service separate; 5 points with access to library, 12 to internet. Introductory tutorial on library use, and series of leaflets; library staff give individual IT help.

Specialist collections: Alkan Society Collection, Appleby Collection (guitar music), Harris Collection (opera vocal scores), Merrett Collection (double bass), Worshipful Company of Musicians Westrup Collection.

Other learning facilities: Professional 16-track recording studio; listening facilities. Audio visual room with 17 study carrels, special resources room with computer facilities and multimedia/electronic music workstations.

Careers: Advice from Principal and senior members of staff.

Student advice & services: Welfare services department, doctor, nurse, counsellor, chaplain.

Amenities: Music hall. theatre (orchestra pit of 80), lecture recital room, John Hosier Practice Annexe (46 practice studios), theatre-training gymnasium, Barbican Centre.

Accommodation: 25% of students in School hall of residence (Sundial Court); 180 self-catering places available for £97 per week. Assistant manager of Sundial Court has details of local accommodation (private lodgings, flats, hostel and self-catering accommodation), from £60 pw.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £7000-£9000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by School.

Financial help: Limited funds available: approx 150 students helped from bursary fund, up to full fees (all students may apply). Money may be assigned prior to starting course at Principal's discretion and according to need.

Tuition fees: Home students pay no fee (so long as they have not done a degree course before); international students pay £13,000 pa.