FAQs — Short Courses & Summer Schools
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General
General
Join Guildhall Short Courses & Summer Schools to:
- have fun, whilst learning and developing new skills
- have access to the professional tutors and world-class resources of Guildhall School
- get a taste of what it's like to be a part of Guildhall School
- explore a passion, build on existing knowledge, or develop your professional career
We offer a wide range of Short Courses and Summer Schools across music, drama, production arts, skills for the creative industries and in other art forms. Whether you’re thinking about learning something completely new, exploring a hobby or passion, or just brushing up on existing skills, we have something for you. Every year we are joined by hundreds of participants of all ages and from all over the world.
We also offer a programme of online short courses so you can take part in courses from the comfort of your own home. From acting to music production, each online course has been created to ensure that they are just as exciting, enriching and memorable as they would be within our building.
Specific details about the age range of each course are listed on their respective webpages.
If you have any accessibility requirements (e.g. for a disability or specific learning difficulty) please contact us so we can discuss any alternative arrangements to assist you.
Guildhall School is located in the very heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Our in-person short courses take place across the School’s campus, including our state-of-the-art venue Milton Court and our iconic Silk Street building. Local off-site spaces may occasionally be used. The School is situated a stone’s throw away from a number of central London attractions such as the Barbican Centre, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Museum of London, among others.
Our online short courses are accessible to participants from all over the world. They use platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Moodle to host live sessions and resources. Further details are specified on individual course pages and 'how to' guides are sent in advance of the courses.
Yes, participants who attend at least 80% of the classes will receive a digital certificate of completion at the end of the course, featuring the Guildhall School’s logo, stating the course and the period when they attended. But please note that our short courses and summer schools are not accredited, there is no formal assessment and no qualification issued at the end of the courses.
For more information on our cancellation and refund policy, please refer to the Refund and Cancellation Policy within the Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
Most courses do not require preparation in advance, but where preparation is required we will send out details before the start of your course.
Meals are not provided as part of the courses unless specified in the course description. There are many options of shops and cafes available locally.
Booking
You can book directly online from the individual course pages by clicking ‘Book Now’.
Some courses may require an application before you can book. Details and application links can be found on the individual course pages.
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. A course will close if maximum capacity has been reached. Places are limited on courses so early booking is advised.
For the majority of courses, bookings will close one week before a course is due to start or as soon as the courses reaches full capacity. Courses with a longer application process (such as Acting Summer Schools, Composition Summer Course or Vocal Summer School) will close earlier.
If spaces are available, you will be able to book the course via our website. Once the course has reached maximum capacity, this will be noted on the website course page and a waiting list will be available for you to join.
Yes, you can book as many short courses as you like as long as the dates of the courses do not clash with each other. Package deals are available for some courses; see individual course pages for more details.
Many courses are open to people of all experience levels and you only need to complete the online booking form and payment to confirm your place. Some more advanced level courses require you to apply by answering a few questions about your relevant experience or to submit an audio or video recording to demonstrate your ability. To learn more about the entry requirements for each course, please visit the dedicated course pages.
In-person Short Courses & Summer Schools: COVID-19 Guidance
As restrictions are lifted across the UK, it is important that we all use personal judgement to help manage our risk to ensure a safe working and training environment for staff and participants. Please refer to the latest advice from the UK government on the precautions you should take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
There is a risk of the transmission of COVID–19 in any environment where people gather. This risk increases in enclosed spaces and with increased numbers of people. The safety measures that have been introduced and are changing with UK government guidance are intended to minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19 but this risk cannot be completely eradicated. By attending a short course, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. Participants and residents attending a short course acknowledge that they do so at their own risk.
Should you test positive to COVID-19 or feel unwell at any time during your course please do not come in and contact us at shortcourses@gsmd.ac.uk.
COVID-19 protocols and safety measures - updated July 2023
- Social distancing is not required, though please be aware of others’ personal space.
- If you test positive you should still refrain from coming into the School and please contact the Short Courses Team at shortcourses@gsmd.ac.uk to inform us.
- Practise good hand hygiene, please use the hand sanitiser and wipes located in the building and remember to wash hands regularly.
Staff and participants are no longer required by government to test twice weekly, and should follow testing advice for the general population. Please note we are no longer able to provide kits for collection. Please refer to the latest advice from the UK government on the precautions you should take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19
Should you test positive to COVID-19 or feel unwell at any time during your course please do not come in and contact us at shortcourses@gsmd.ac.uk.
Yes, please inform the Short Courses Team if you are unwell and cannot engage with in-person or online activity, if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19.
If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or test positive, please do not come into the School and follow the latest advice from the UK government.
- If you need medical advice about your symptoms please call 111 or visit the NHS online coronavirus service.
- If you feel very unwell or think there’s something seriously wrong, you must call 999 as soon as possible.
- If you are at home, don’t come into the School and follow the latest advice from the UK government.
- If you are on site, please stay where you are and contact a member of the Short Courses team.
Please check the latest advice from the UK government to determine your level of ‘contact’ and follow the subsequent guidance.
If you have been advised to self-isolate and are unable to come into the School to attend your course, please contact Short Courses.
We will only inform you if there has been a positive case if it is immediately relevant to your area of study.
Our in-person Short Courses and Summer Schools are open to international participants. If you are joining us from abroad please ensure that you comply with the UK Government guidelines before travelling. Anyone found to be in breach of travel regulations applicable at the time of the course date will be removed from the course and lose their course fee.
Please see our terms and conditions for full details.
In the event of a further lockdown or changes to the rules it may not be possible for us to run courses in-person. Decisions will be made according to the UK government guidance.
Our buildings are located in central London, next door to the Barbican Centre. Follow the latest advice on the UK government to ensure your own safety, in light of COVID-19. Further information on how to travel to the School.
Online Short Courses & Summer Schools
To participate in online classes you will need the following:
- An email address
- A reliable internet connection
- A laptop/tablet/desktop computer with a microphone and camera (most have these included)
- Speakers/headphones (the speakers in your laptop/tablet/computer should be sufficient for most courses)
- A fully updated web browser able to use the most up to date version of Zoom, or a fully updated Zoom client
For some courses (e.g. music performance, sound engineering) you may find an external microphone or good quality headphones useful. These will be indicated on the course page.
Additional materials or equipment may be required for some courses, for example, a set text. Details can be found on individual course pages.
Specific platforms are used to deliver these courses such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Moodle. These are detailed on the course webpages and all are free to access.
Courses consist of a variety of content including live online sessions with course tutors, forums to discuss topics with other participants, and access to specifically created resources.
You will receive specific information for your course, and instructions and login details for the appropriate platforms in advance of your course.
The Zoom session link will be sent to you an hour before your session.
Additional information and resources between each week may be emailed to you or hosted on Moodle. Any resources hosted on Moodle will be accessible for at least four weeks after the last course session.
Please make sure you check your emails, including your junk and spam folders.
Your username is the email address you used to sign up for the course.
There is a 'Forgot Password' link under the login box on Moodle. This will allow you to reset your password.
Please watch this video to learn how to login on Moodle.
Please ensure you have read through the PDFs you were sent ahead of the course, but if you don't see your issue addressed here, please contact us and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
Accommodation
Unfortunately accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024.
Please see below a list of alternative accommodation providers near the School, please note that Guildhall School of Music & Drama holds no business affiliations or partnerships with accommodation providers.
Alternative Accommodation Options
No, we do not have a service for collection or drop-off at airports or train stations. You will be required to make your own arrangements to travel to Guildhall School.
No meals are included.
Short Courses & Summer Schools Assistants
Short Courses and Summer Schools assistants are current Guildhall students or recent graduates. They are fully DBS checked and receive safeguarding training.
Our Short Courses and Summer Schools assistants are present during courses to supervise under-18 participants outside of scheduled course activities and during breaks.
Short Courses and Summer Schools Assistants
Short Courses and Summer Schools assistants will be stationed in relevant Guildhall School buildings foyers throughout the courses to help participants with navigation, and to answer general enquiries. They will be present during breaks on the School premises outside of scheduled course activity.
More information about supervision and timings will be sent in advance of the courses.
International Participants
Guildhall School’s Short Courses & Summer Schools are open to all - anybody can book them (subject to the entry requirements), whether domestic or international applicants and the course fees are the same for everybody.
Classes are taught in English so it is important that you have sufficient English language skills to cope with the course demands. All courses require good speaking and listening skills, and some courses also require good writing and reading skills (for example, those courses working with complex texts such as Shakespeare).
We do not require proof of language qualifications, but we would recommend that all participants should have at least B2 proficiency as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This is roughly equivalent to IELTS level 6 and above.
For courses working with complex texts, we would recommend all participants have at least C1 proficiency, or IELTS level 7 and above.
If you are not sure if your English skills are sufficient, CEFR has a self-assessment table for English that may help you decide.
Please note that translation assistance is not available.
You may need to obtain a visa prior to entry to the UK if you are a visa national or upon entry to the UK if you are a non-visa national. It is each participant’s responsibility to have the right documentation. If you do not have a valid visa, you will not be allowed to study at Guildhall School.
The UK government has a visa checking tool, which recommends the type of visa you will need to apply for and the appropriate documentation you will need for entry into the UK.
Further information on the restrictions and conditions associated with each type of international student visa is available on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
If you live outside the UK, you are not entitled to free NHS healthcare. You should take out appropriate personal health or travel insurance before travelling to the UK. Please also check if a reciprocal healthcare agreement exists between the UK and your country.
Further information can be found on these webpages:
- How charges for NHS healthcare apply to overseas visitors (UK Government website)
- Visitors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) (NHS website)
We do not have a service for collection or drop off at airports or train stations. Participants are required to make their own arrangements to travel to Guildhall School and Sundial Court.
Brexit
Information for citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland after Brexit.
It is each participant’s responsibility to have the right documentation for study in the UK.
If you are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in the UK for courses up to 6 months if you are studying at an accredited institution.
However, you should check the UK government website to ensure you have the appropriate documentation for entry into the UK. The UK government has a visa checking tool, which will confirm your visa-free status and what documentation you need to bring.
Further information can be found on the UK Government website under Studying in the UK: guidance for EU students.
If you live outside the UK, you are not entitled to free NHS healthcare. You should take out appropriate personal health or travel insurance before travelling to the UK.
Further information can be found on these webpages:
- How charges for NHS healthcare apply to overseas visitors (UK Government website)
- Visitors from EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland (NHS website)
Please also check if a reciprocal healthcare agreement exists between the UK and your country.
Giving a Short Course or Summer School as a Gift
Yes, you can purchase a place on a course as a gift to somebody else. Please fill in the booking form with the details of the person attending the course rather than the person booking it. You can then proceed through to the payment section and make the payment yourself.
If you would like to keep the gift a secret in the first instance, please use your email address on the booking form as you will receive a confirmation email when the place is booked. You will then need to provide the attendee's email address in advance of the course to us so that the necessary information can be sent out. Please contact us to update the contact details to those of the attendee.
Funding
We offer a number of Participation Bursaries for certain courses that are available to applicants who meet our eligibility criteria.
If you are not eligible for a participation bursary, you can try searching for funding opportunities on the following websites:
UK STUDENTS
- British Council: study-uk.britishcouncil.org/scholarships
- Unigrants: www.unigrants.co.uk
- Money Saving Expert: www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/grants-education/
US STUDENTS
FOR OTHER NON-EU INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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