International students

Welcome to London! The Royal College of Music is home to a truly international community and we are looking forward to you becoming part of it. On this page you can find some helpful guidance to ensure your studies in London get off to a great start.

Visa Application

If you need a visa to study in the UK and have not yet begun the application process, you should apply as soon as possible to ensure you can begin your course on time.

We have provided a section of our website dedicated to explaining the processes, involved in obtaining a visa, along with some helpful tips. Make sure you read this carefully so you understand what you need to do, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance.  Our International Team is here to help.

International Visas

Travelling to the UK

We recommend that you carry the following items in your hand luggage:

• Your valid passport
• Your visa/entry clearance vignette (remember that you must not enter the UK before the start date of your visa)
• Your travel ticket
• Details of your course at the RCM, in case you are asked about these by a Border Force officer.  We recommend that you carry a copy of your CAS Statement.
• Evidence of your finances in case you are asked about your funding (e.g. the documents you used for your visa application)
• Enough money in pounds sterling for your immediate needs on arrival in London, including money to pay for a taxi if needed (e.g. if you arrive late at night)
• Snacks! In case your flight is delayed and you arrive too late to buy dinner – everything seems harder on an empty stomach.

Make sure you keep your boarding pass if you enter the UK through an e-gate and don’t receive a stamp in your passport, as you will need to bring it to New Student Check-in.

For help planning your journey from your port of entry to central London see our guidance on getting to the RCM.

Settling in

We strongly encourage you to attend as many of the welcome meetings and events in Induction Week as possible. This will help you to understand how things work at the RCM and, most importantly, get know your fellow students.  Look out for the special events on the schedule just for our new international students.

You may find that life in the UK and the way things work at the RCM feel very different from what you are used to at home, especially if this is your first experience of higher education. This may be a bit disorientating at first, but you will soon adapt.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has some helpful advice on dealing with culture shock when moving to a new country.

Study Skills

Many international students find that the style of teaching in the UK is different from what they have experienced at home. The RCM’s teaching staff will be here to support you and help you adapt.

The UKCISA website has some very useful information on what you can expect.

UKCISA Study Skills for success

Language support classes are available to help international students improve their English skills. Look out for details of how to sign up at the start of term.

Opening a bank account

Many international students need to open a UK bank account.  You can find more information on banking in the UK and how to open an account.

Banking in the UK

Please note that most banks require proof that you have enrolled as a student to open an account. The RCM will not be able to provide this until after you have completed New Student Check-in.

Immigration advice at the RCM

The RCM’s international support staff aim to provide free, impartial, high quality immigration advice to RCM students, including offer holders. We can advise on Student visa applications, Standard Visitor visas, visa conditions during study and the EU Settlement Scheme.

We also provide information on visas for dependent family members, Schengen visas and options to remain in the UK after graduation. In addition, we offer more general support with practical matters, such as opening bank accounts and accessing healthcare in the UK.

You can find more information about the service we provide and who to contact in our Statement of Service.

Statement of Service

Enquiries

If you have any questions about applying to the RCM as an international student please contact our friendly International team who will be happy to offer advice.