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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

City

Graz

Institution

University of Music and Performing Arts Graz

Country

Belgium

City

Brussels

Institution

Royal Flemish Conservatory

Country
City

Antwerp

Institution

Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp

Country

Canada

City

Toronto

Institution

University of Toronto Music Department

Country

China

City

Shanghai

Institution

Shanghai Conservatory of Music

Country

Czech Republic

City

Brno

Institution

Janacek Academy of Music and Theatre

Country

Denmark

City

Aarhus

Institution

Royal Academy of Music

Country

Estonia

City

Tallinn

Institution

Estonian Academy of Music

Country

Finland

City

Helsinki

Institution

Sibelius Academy / University of the Arts

Country

France

City

Lyon

Institution

Conservatoire National Superior Musique et Danse Lyon

Country

Germany

City

Leipzig

Institution

Hochschule für Musik und Theater “Mendelssohn-Bartholdy”

Country
City

Hannover

Institution

Hochschule für Musik und Theater

Country
City

Dresden

Institution

Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber

Country

Hungary

City

Budapest

Institution

Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music

Country

Iceland

City

Reykjavik

Institution

Iceland Academy of the Arts

Country

Ireland

City

Dublin

Institution

Royal Irish Academy of Music

Country

Italy

City

Turin

Institution

Conservatorio “G Verdi”

Country
City

Verona

Institution

Conservatorio di Verona

Country
City

Parma

Institution

Conservatorio di Musica „A. Boito”

Country

Japan

City

Osaka

Institution

Osaka College of Music

Country

Lithuania

City

Vilnius

Institution

Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Institution

Music Department, University of the Arts

Country
City

Amsterdam

Institution

Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Country
City

Rotterdam

Institution

CODARTS

Country
City

Tilburg

Institution

Fontys Academy

Country

Norway

City

Oslo

Institution

Norwegian Academy of Music

Country
City

Bergen

Institution

Grieg Academy

Country

Poland

City

Łódź

Institution

Grazyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz University of Music

Country
City

Krakow

Institution

Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music

Country

Portugal

City

Porto

Institution

Escola Superior de Musica e das Artes Spectaculares

Country

Spain

City

Madrid

Institution

Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Madrid

Country
City

Barcelona

Institution

Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya

Country
City

Barcelona

Institution

Conservatori del Liceu

Country

Switzerland

City

Bern

Institution

Hochschule fur Musik

Country
City

Geneva

Institution

Conservatoire de Geneve

Country

Thailand

City

Bangkok

Institution

Mahidol University Music Department

Country
City
Institution

Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music

Country

USA

City

Denton, TX

Institution

University of North Texas Music Department