Outlander star Sam Heughan joins cast of alumni helping Royal Conservatoire of Scotland launch search for next generation of performing artists.

Scotland’s national conservatoire today kicks off its new drive for prospective students from all over Scotland and across the world hoping to follow in the footsteps of the institution’s celebrated alumni across music, drama, dance, film and the production arts.

The recruitment drive comes on the back of being ranked one of the top three performing arts educators in the world.

In its new prospectus, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, ranked number one in Scotland for graduate employability, showcases its world-class teaching, purpose-built facilities and a wide range of successful graduates who all have learnt their craft in this prestigious Glasgow-based institution.

Successful alumni of Scotland’s national conservatoire include actors James McAvoy, Sam Heughan, David Tennant, Alan Cumming and Katie Leung, mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, opera directors Sir David McVicar and Lee Blakely and Harry Potter composer Patrick Doyle.

Outlander star Sam Heughan says that the education he received at the Royal Conservatoire gave him the skills and the confidence to launch a successful acting career.

“I had a terrific experience at the Royal Conservatoire, being here on the stage is where it all began for me. My training gave me opportunities to work in Scotland, the UK and now in America where I spend a lot of time.

“The Royal Conservatoire knows and understands this industry, the teaching staff have great relationships and partnerships with national theatre companies, directors, agents and casting agents.”

Sam, 36, recalls his entrance audition: “I auditioned for the Royal Conservatoire twice. My first audition was very bad – I had no idea what I was doing but it instilled in me that I had to come back the next year and try again. If you don’t get in on your first attempt, it’s a test of character. In this industry you need to learn to take on board productive criticism. I needed to work harder and come back better – so when I auditioned the second time, I was determined I was going to get in. The audition process is not as scary as you might think. It was a really rewarding experience and then when I was offered a place, it was sheer elation.

“Thanks to drama school I made a core group of friends so that no matter where I am in the world, there is always a contingent of Scottish actors and familiar faces.”

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “Scotland’s national conservatoire is one of the world’s top 10 performing arts institutions, ranked alongside great international establishments such as New York’s Juilliard and the Vienna Conservatoire.

"Students come from across the globe to access the high quality education on offer right here in Glasgow.

"We offer students a distinctive learning experience along with a strong belief in the transformative power of the performing arts, which allows us to be one of the most inclusive, diverse and collaborative institutions within Scotland as well as internationally.

"We welcome students from across Scotland, the UK, Europe and beyond to begin their learning journeys with us in September 2018.”