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<ul><li>Your instruments </li><li>Music/music stand </li><li>Concert dress </li><li>Any other accessories (for example: mutes, reeds, strings)</li></ul>

You will need to source your own 'essential tool kit' containing the following items in order to start the course:
<ul><li>Scale ruler (1:25 metric triangular)</li><li>Rigging gloves</li><li>30m measuring tape</li><li>Multi tool (Leatherman or equivalent)</li><li>Podger (17mm/19mm)/quad spanner (13mm/17mm/19mm/21mm)</li><li>Torch/head torch</li><li>You will also need to purchase your own steel toe safety shoes. Students are not allowed into the workshops without safety shoes.</li><li>Stage Management only: Students will need their own black clothing ‘smart blacks’ (long sleeved shirt/top, trousers and shoes) to wear during shows. You will need enough to cover the period of technical rehearsal and performance run (approximately two weeks).</li><li>A mobile phone is an essential tool for anyone working in the entertainment industry. The ability to send and receive email is of high importance, and a smartphone also allows easy access to the College’s online timetabling system.</li><li>You will find it useful to have your own laptop, which is able to run Microsoft Office and basic CAD programmes such as SketchUp.</li></ul>

You will need to source your own 'essential tool kit' containing the following items in order to start the course:
<ul><li>Swann-Morton Graphic Knife Set (No. 3 Handle and 10a Blades)</li><li>Set of 12 artists’ sketching pencils – grades 2H to 8B</li><li>Winsor &amp; Newton Gesso 500ml</li><li>Hardback spiral sketchbook A3</li><li>Set of Daler-Rowney System 3 Acrylics 75ml Tubes (8 colours)</li><li>Winsor &amp; Newton Watercolour Set</li><li>Artists’ drawing inks – set of 4</li><li>General-purpose brushes 1”, 2” and 3”</li><li>Set of 10 assorted small round and flat artists’ brushes</li><li>Metric scale rule (triangular) with specified scales</li><li>Adjustable set square</li><li>Set square 45 degree</li><li>Lockable toolbox 20 inch or more</li><li>Compass set</li><li>Set of four fine liners (black): 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7</li><li>Protractor</li><li>45cm plastic T-square</li><li>Flat metal ruler 30cm</li><li>6” scissors</li><li>9” fabric scissors</li><li>Thimble</li><li>Clear plastic ruler 18”</li><li>Tape measure – cloth</li><li>A2 cutting mat</li><li>5m steel retractable tape measure</li><li>Snap-off craft knife</li><li>Small, pointed pliers</li><li>Small wire snips</li></ul>
You will also need to purchase your own steel toe safety shoes. Students are not allowed into the workshops without safety shoes.
Using laptops or tablets to support your design and academic studies is a crucial part of your learning. While the College provides computers for teaching and access throughout the day, you will find it necessary at times to use a computer while working at home. The computer should have the following specification:
<ul><li>Intel Core i5 processor</li><li>8GB RAM</li><li>500GB hard drive</li><li>NVIDIA or AMD Radeon graphics card with 2GB of dedicated RAM</li></ul>
The College provides students access to a large range of software both on college computers and with licenses for the students’ personal computers on a project-by-project basis. Students should however subscribe to Adobe Premiere Suite as all students will use the software provided via the Adobe Creative Cloud.

A digital recording device (usually a smartphone) is essential for voice and singing classes
Stationery
You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationary items, such as pens, pencils and notebooks. 
Printing and copying
In most cases, written coursework such as essays and projects are submitted online. There may be some copying charges, and you can use our photocopiers at a cost of 5p per A4 sheet (B&amp;W).
Gown
You will need to hire your graduation gown from Ede &amp; Ravenscroft. Details will be given during the final year.
Performance tickets
You are encouraged to attend as many College performances as possible, and you will receive tickets at a greatly reduced ticket price. You should also engage with as much public performance – theatre, radio and film – as possible, and this has a range of associated ticket costs.
Computer resources
We have three student computer rooms which are available to all students during term time with groups study areas. We also provide free internet and wireless network services, as well as an individual Office 365 account with cloud storage.
You should have your own laptop or tablet to access blended learning delivery and to record/submit your own performances.
Clothing for skills classes
Movement, voice, singing and combat classes are highly physical, so you will need suitable clothing that is comfortable and allows freedom of movement.
You will need:
<ul><li>T-shirt</li><li>Loose fitting tracksuit, or jogging trouser and sweatshirt</li><li>Trainers/running shoes</li><li>Kneepads</li><li>Water bottle</li><li>Towel</li><li>Yoga mat</li></ul>

A digital recording device (usually a smartphone) is essential for voice and singing classes
Stationery
You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationary items, such as pens, pencils and notebooks.
Printing and copying
In most cases, written coursework such as essays and projects are submitted online. There may be some copying charges, and you can use our photocopiers at a cost of 5p per A4 sheet (B&amp;W). 

Performance tickets
You are encouraged to attend as many College performances as possible, and you will receive tickets at a greatly reduced ticket price. You should also engage with as much public performance – theatre, radio and film – as possible, and this has a range of associated ticket costs.
Computer resources
We have three student computer rooms which are available to all students during term time with groups study areas. We also provide free internet and wireless network services, as well as an individual Office 365 account with cloud storage.
You should have your own laptop or tablet to access blended learning delivery and to record/submit your own performances.
Clothing for skills classes
Movement, voice, singing and combat classes are highly physical, so you will need suitable clothing that is comfortable and allows freedom of movement.
You will need:
<ul><li>T-shirt</li><li>Loose fitting tracksuit, or jogging trouser and sweatshirt</li><li>Trainers/running shoes</li><li>Kneepads</li><li>Water bottle</li><li>Towel</li><li>Yoga mat</li></ul>
 
Water bottle
A portable steam inhaler, which can be bought inexpensively from pharmacies. Steaming is highly recommended, therapeutic and non-invasive; and a good way to relax tired vocal folds after a day of rehearsing
For Ballet, Jazz and Tap. 
• Black tights, leggings, leotards and shorts. These should be tight and made of stretch type fabric e.g. lycra. 
• Split jazz shoes 
• Split soled CANVAS ballet shoes 
• Tap Shoes with correctly fitted taps (excluding MA) 
• Character Shoes (heels for girls should be 1.5-2 inches). Please get the soles rubbered prior to starting the course. • Underwear which is supportive for both men and women and which is not visible. Male students must wear a dance support for discretion and to avoid injury. 
For Voice, Movement and Conditioning classes.
• Loose plain coloured clothing – no pattern or oversized branding. Avoid black if possible (black can make it more difficult to read the body in relation to alignment and movement specificity. All clothing should have some ‘give’ /stretch to them to allow full movement - loose fitting sports clothing fulfils this. T shirts should cover the body, avoiding crop tops or low cut trousers – this is in part relevant to and will be addressed in conversations and training regarding consent and intimacy 
• Tracksuit trousers and long sleeves should not cover feet or hands and should not fall down 
• Shorts may be worn but should also have stretch.

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The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama attracts the best creative talent from across the globe. As Wales’ national conservatoire, we fire imagination and drive innovation, offering training to more than 800 actors, musicians, designers, technicians and arts managers from more than 40 countries. The College presents hundreds of events a year, from orchestral concerts and recitals to drama, opera, jazz, new music and musical theatre, performed by our students and a diverse array of world-class artists from around the globe.

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

These pages contain information about some of the course-specific things you will need when you start your studies with us to help prepare to get your studies off to a flying start when you come in September.  Any reading lists will be emailed to you.

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Overview

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Getting ready to move to Cardiff

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Getting ready to move to Cardiff

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Before you arrive

When you get here

International student guide

Your starter checklist