

International opportunities for students at RWCMD
Studying or working abroad can be a transformative experience, helping you develop new skills, broaden your perspective, and build international connections.
At RWCMD, we support a range of global opportunities for full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students through two key funding schemes run by the University of South Wales (USW):
- Taith - a Welsh Government scheme for international exchanges and projects.
- Turing Scheme - a UK-wide initiative supporting study and work placements abroad.
Both schemes offer financial support to help cover travel and living costs, with additional funding available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with additional learning needs or disabilities.
What can you do abroad?
There are several ways you can gain international experience during your studies:
- Study at a partner institution – Spend between 2 weeks and 12 months abroad, with most students choosing a term or semester.
- Take part in an international project – Join an intensive collaboration with students from partner institutions, usually lasting 2-4 weeks.
- Complete an international work placement – Gain professional experience with an organisation abroad for 14 days or longer. You can also receive funding for placements in the 12 months after graduation.
- Attend an international summer school – Short-term programme (14+ days) that provides additional training and networking opportunities.
In most cases, study or work placements can count towards your degree. For example, music students can integrate study abroad into BMus Year 3 or 4 or MMus Year 2.
Recent student experiences
Here are some examples of how students have made the most of these opportunities:
- Study abroad - A BMus Music student spent a term at the University of Toronto, and a Design/Stage Management student completed half a term at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.
- International project - An MMus Music student participated in an Experimental Music project at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
- Work placement - An MA Opera Directing student worked as an assistant director at Irish National Opera, and Design/Stage Management students gained experience at the Prague Quadrennial.
- Summer school - Students attended the Berlin Opera Academy, both as singers and orchestral musicians.
How to apply
If you're interested in studying or working abroad, speak to your Head of Department or Course Leader to explore your options. Information on available opportunities and application processes is shared through internal platforms.
Partner institutions
Our Music department has a long history of European exchanges and continues to expand its partnerships worldwide, including new collaborations in Thailand.
Our Drama department is actively developing international links, offering more opportunities for study abroad and collaborative projects across different courses.
We have partnerships with institutions across Europe, North America, and Asia. Here are some of the places where you could study:
Country | Austria |
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City | Graz |
Institution | University of Music and Performing Arts Graz |
Country | Belgium |
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City | Brussels |
Institution | Royal Flemish Conservatory |
Country | |
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City | Antwerp |
Institution | Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp |
Country | Canada |
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City | Toronto |
Institution | University of Toronto Music Department |
Country | China |
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City | Shanghai |
Institution | Shanghai Conservatory of Music |
Country | Czech Republic |
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City | Brno |
Institution | Janacek Academy of Music and Theatre |
Country | Denmark |
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City | Aarhus |
Institution | Royal Academy of Music |
Country | Estonia |
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City | Tallinn |
Institution | Estonian Academy of Music |
Country | Finland |
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City | Helsinki |
Institution | Sibelius Academy / University of the Arts |
Country | France |
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City | Lyon |
Institution | Conservatoire National Superior Musique et Danse Lyon |
Country | Germany |
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City | Leipzig |
Institution | Hochschule für Musik und Theater “Mendelssohn-Bartholdy” |
Country | |
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City | Hannover |
Institution | Hochschule für Musik und Theater |
Country | |
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City | Dresden |
Institution | Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber |
Country | Hungary |
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City | Budapest |
Institution | Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music |
Country | Iceland |
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City | Reykjavik |
Institution | Iceland Academy of the Arts |
Country | Ireland |
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City | Dublin |
Institution | Royal Irish Academy of Music |
Country | Italy |
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City | Turin |
Institution | Conservatorio “G Verdi” |
Country | |
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City | Verona |
Institution | Conservatorio di Verona |
Country | |
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City | Parma |
Institution | Conservatorio di Musica „A. Boito” |
Country | Japan |
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City | Osaka |
Institution | Osaka College of Music |
Country | Lithuania |
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City | Vilnius |
Institution | Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre |
Country | Netherlands |
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City | Utrecht |
Institution | Music Department, University of the Arts |
Country | |
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City | Amsterdam |
Institution | Conservatorium van Amsterdam |
Country | |
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City | Rotterdam |
Institution | CODARTS |
Country | |
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City | Tilburg |
Institution | Fontys Academy |
Country | Norway |
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City | Oslo |
Institution | Norwegian Academy of Music |
Country | |
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City | Bergen |
Institution | Grieg Academy |
Country | Poland |
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City | Łódź |
Institution | Grazyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz University of Music |
Country | |
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City | Krakow |
Institution | Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music |
Country | Portugal |
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City | Porto |
Institution | Escola Superior de Musica e das Artes Spectaculares |
Country | Spain |
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City | Madrid |
Institution | Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Madrid |
Country | |
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City | Barcelona |
Institution | Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya |
Country | |
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City | Barcelona |
Institution | Conservatori del Liceu |
Country | Switzerland |
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City | Bern |
Institution | Hochschule fur Musik |
Country | |
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City | Geneva |
Institution | Conservatoire de Geneve |
Country | Thailand |
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City | Bangkok |
Institution | Mahidol University Music Department |
Country | |
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City | |
Institution | Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music |
Country | USA |
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City | Denton, TX |
Institution | University of North Texas Music Department |