Course Timetables

Each academic year runs from September to July and is split into three terms: autumn (12 weeks), spring (12 weeks) and summer (11 weeks). Timetables are published at the beginning of each term.

Students should expect up to 40 contact hours each week. Core teaching hours are Monday-Friday 9am-6pm in the first and second years, and 9am-7pm in the third year.

During rehearsals for public performances in the third year, and especially during production weeks, there will be additional evening and weekend calls. Call sheets will be provided daily by the Stage Management team.

Teaching and Learning

Typically, there are 20-24 students in each year group and a maximum of 12 students in most classes.

The collaborative nature of the working environment requires consistent levels of professional energy, motivation and contribution to the group or rehearsal process, as well as sensitivity to the work of others. Attendance and punctuality is required to be in keeping with professional standards and expectations.

The working process requires students to develop stamina and extend their physical skills. It also makes emotional demands, challenging comfortable habits and prompting students to examine their own resources as actors including the personal experiences upon which they draw.

Throughout your training, you will receive guidance from an established core team of staff, with considerable input from a wider range of experienced professional practitioners including visiting directors.

Outside of contact hours, you will be expected to extend your learning and develop your creative practice through reading widely, undertaking independent research and attending a broad range of theatrical performances.

The RWCMD Library holds more than 50,000 items including books, journals, newspapers, and audio visual materials. It is home to the UK’s largest lending collection of play sets in English. The Library also provides free access to online resources, including databases of thousands of drama texts and recordings of British theatre productions and behind-the-scenes documentaries.

The College can offer confidential and professional advice and a range of practical support to ensure that students are able to successfully commence studies at RWCMD, progress through their course, and graduate successfully.

The College employs a dedicated Mental Well-Being Advisor, and provides free access to a confidential counselling service. Its Disability Advisor can provide assistance to students in applying for Disabled Students Allowance, arranging needs assessments, and developing Individual Support Plans, which may include additional specialist tutorial support for students with specific learning difficulties or additional needs.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment is continuous and your mark for each module will take into account your conduct, progress and contribution in classes, rehearsals, performances and project work.

The grades awarded for Level 4 modules do not count towards your degree classification, but you must pass all Level 4 modules before entering Level 5. Similarly, you must pass all Level 5 modules before entering Level 6.

Students receive the best degree classification outcome from either of the two following classification systems:

Method 1: Calculate the average of the marks from the best 60 credits at Level 5 and the 120 credits at Level 6. The 60 credits at Level 5 are taken from the 20 credit modules at Level 5.

Method 2: Calculate the average of the marks from the 120 Level 6 credits.

• In order to achieve a First Class Honours degree, students must achieve an average of 69.5% or above

• To achieve an Upper Second Class Honours degree, students must achieve an average of 59.5% or above

• To achieve a Lower Second Class Honours degree, students must achieve an average of 49.5% or above

• To achieve a Third Class Honours degree, students must achieve an average of 39.5% or above

Alternative exit awards are available for students who fail to complete a level of study.

You should consider your ongoing dialogue with tutors during classes, projects and productions to be a critical part of the feedback you receive throughout the course, and the advice that will be most useful to you in your future working life.

You can expect to receive formal feedback, either written or verbal, within 20 days of the last day of a project or production.

Formal academic transcripts are published at the end of each academic year.

A copy of the rules and regulations for this course is available.