Guildhall School of Music & Drama - Student View

Ensconced in the Barbican - one of the world's cultural hubs - it has a distinctly urban aspect: in one direction the West End, with all it offers; in the other, the East End, and the School has active links and outreach work in Tower Hamlets.

The main building buzzes with activity (and music) all day. It houses a theatre, concert hall, studio theatre, extensive stage workshop with CAD facilities, recording & MIDI studios, nearly 100 teaching/practice rooms (most with pianos), recital room and rehearsal studios. A good library with an extensive listening facility; students can also join the Barbican library, and City University library if they are on courses validated from there.

There are no on-site sports amenities, but students have access to cheap fitness facilities at nearby City University and numerous local gyms and swimming pools, many offering student rates. School attracts students from throughout the country and also a large number of international students.

Courses are challenging and progressive, with an emphasis on practical skills and relatively easy to change course in first year. Teaching chiefly by leading professionals in the field (many staff from major orchestras, the National Theatre, RSC, Royal Opera House, ENO etc) and many outstanding visitors (eg Simon Rattle, Murray Perahia and Gangiro Nakamura III).

Schedules are busy, especially on acting and stage management courses, and music students can expect long hours of practice on top of formal schedules. Varied assessment pattern reflects diversity of skills required. Self-reflective skills are developed on all courses.

A number of exchange programmes exist with similar institutions in Europe and beyond. Many music students work part time (bars, stewarding, teaching private pupils, or at gigs or other engagements secured through the School); acting and stage management courses do not allow much time.

Students' Union organises health & fitness and social activities: football team (nearly unbeaten in Arts Football League), weekly yoga session. Cheap bar with activities including regular jam, karaoke and disco nights and extraordinary events like infamous Bar Olympics.

Occasional guest speakers invited; active Christian Union, Contemporary Music Society (collaborates with Royal College of Art and co-ordinates two festivals a year), Human Rights Society (affiliated to Amnesty International) and an international students' buddying scheme. But much social activity is not organised into societies. Students may also join City University societies.