How to Apply
Special Needs and Disabilities
We welcome applications from people with special needs and disabilities. There are many students with disabilities who have successfully completed courses at the Royal Conservatoire and many who are studying here now, including students with dyslexia, visual and hearing impairments, epilepsy, asthma and ME.
Come and visit
If you are wondering whether or not to apply to the Royal Conservatoire, why not come for a preliminary visit? We encourage all applicants to come and look round and talk to staff and students in order to see if you feel it is the right place for you. You may also want to check that we have sufficient facilities in place for to study here, or discuss your needs so that we can offer you maximum support. Just contact Jane Balmforth on +44 (0) 141 2708 282 or e-mail j.balmforth@rcs.ac.uk to arrange a visit, or request a copy of our booklet, Information for Students with Disabilities , which describes our provision and facilities for disabled students.
What happens if I declare a disability or medical condition?
If you declare a disability or medical condition on your application form, our Counsellor
& Disability Adviser will get in touch with you to ask if you would like to discuss
any arrangements to support you at your audition or interview.
For students with dyslexia there is an excellent publication:
Understanding Dyslexia: an Introduction for Students in Higher Education by Jill Hammond
and Fabian Hercules. Contact Jane Balmforth,
j.balmforth@rcs.ac.uk if you would like a
copy.
What happens when I start my studies at the Royal Conservatoire?
When you start at Royal Conservatoire our Counsellor & Disability Adviser will contact you in the first term and arrange a meeting with your Head of Department/Programe Leader to discuss how we can best support you. A Learning Agreement will then be drawn up and signed. If you are dyslexic, you will need an up-to-date assessment – don’t worry if you don’t have one as we can arrange for an assessment here at the Conservatoire.
I think I'm dyslexic but not sure
If you have always wondered if you might be dyslexic, but have never been assessed, again we can arrange for you to have an assessment. Jane Balmforth, j.balmforth@rcs.ac.uk, our Counsellor & Disability Adviser will be able to arrange an assessment. Jane can also assist with completing applications for Disabled Students’ Allowance.
What about accessibility?
The Royal Conservatoire has level access on the ground floor and a lift suitable for a wheelchair serves all floors. The lecture theatre and auditoria have induction loops and vibrating pager fire alarms are available. The software package Texthelp Read & Write has been installed in the library for students with dyslexia. For more details on facilities, ask Jane Balmforth for a copy of Information for Students with Disabilities.
More information about studying at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is contained in the Student Support Services Information booklet
