How to Apply

The Academy welcomes applications from people with special needs and disabilities. There are many students with disabilities who have successfully completed courses at the Academy and many who are studying here now, including students with dyslexia, visual and hearing impairments, epilepsy, asthma and ME.

If you are wondering whether or not to apply to the Academy, 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 0141 2708 282 or e-mail at j.balmforth@rsamd.ac.uk to arrange a visit, or request a copy of the Academy’s booklet, Information for Students with Disabilities , which describes the Academy’s provision and facilities for disabled students. This booklet and the RSAMD prospectus are also available on tape.

If you declare a disability or medical condition on your application form, you will be contacted by the Academy Counsellor & Disability Adviser, asking you to get in touch 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 if you would like a copy.

When you start at the Academy, the Academy Counsellor & Disability Adviser will contact you in the first term and arrange a meeting with your HOD/Programe Leader to discuss how the Academy can best support you. A Learning Agreement is then 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 RSAMD.

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. Speak to Jane Balmforth, Academy Counsellor & Disability Adviser to arrange an assessment. Jane also assists with completing applications for Disabled Students’ Allowance.

The Academy 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 RSAMD is contained in the Student Support Services Information booklet (PDF)