Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama (RSAMD) - Student View

An orange brick building in centre of Glasgow, full of modern facilities, surrounded by shops, pubs and eateries. Within a ten-minute walk of two train stations, bus station and underground where transport is frequent; stay sensible and travel is safe. Parking is expensive but bike parking available.

Good library has music scores, drama texts, books, CDs and videos; CD and video/DVD players available to use. Library open 9am to 8pm (but more limited Fridays-Sundays). Extensive IT suite with on-hand support.

Healthy numbers of UK and international students covering a wide range of ages. Staff members are mostly approachable and the quality of teaching is high. Courses regularly reviewed, so stay relevant; workloads hard but realistic. Most students have jobs but it is hard to fit round long hours and course commitments.

Glasgow is now one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities offering excellent nightlife. City full of students so lively during week and at weekends. A substantial number of gay pubs and clubs. Lots of theatres, concert halls, cinemas and art museums. Always plenty going on in the arts and students often get cheap tickets.

SU has sabbatical officer but no separate building or permanent bar as yet. Catering staff provide subsidised bar for union events. A counsellor is available and SU also available to offer advice and help.

There are footie tournaments, yoga and hill-walking and students attend clubs and societies at neighbouring universities.

Subjects well respected with good job prospects owing to Academy's strong reputation. A few exchange places are available; apprenticeship schemes allocated by audition. A mix of coursework and examinations but much of assessment based on the practical. In the first year it's easy to change course and staff advise students individually according to needs.