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Studying at BIRD

Life at BIRD Conservatoire

BIRD Conservatoire is situated in the suburban-central area of Sidcup and boasts a thriving student population. Roughly a 5 minute walk from Sidcup Railway Station, our students enjoy regular 30 minute connections to the centre of London and London’s West End.

Bluewater shopping centre is only a 20 minutes drive and local Greenwich boasts a fantastic student social scene and nightlife – all of which are accessible through a reliable public transport service.

Our BA (Hons) students have access to the library at Rose Bruford College, which is within easy walking distance, and the Avery Hill Campus (which accommodates many first year students) is only a ten minute drive away.

The local high street boasts many amenities including banks, cafes and restaurants, supermarkets, beauty salons, a cinema and a local library. BIRD Conservatoire is also situated a five minute drive from Queen Mary’s Hospital and corporate discount membership for the local leisure centre (which includes a gym, swimming pool and fitness studio) is available to BIRD students.

Bird College - Images of student life at Bird College. Students studying in library. Stage management desk. Ballet students in dance studio.

The Campus

BIRD Conservatoire moved to a single site campus in Alma Road, Sidcup at the end of 2015. The building was previously an adult education centre, and was completely refurbished to our specification. The campus provides:

  • Extensive green spaces
  • 13 Dance Studios, 4 Acting Studios,12 Singing Rooms, 1 Academic Room
  • Wellbeing Facilities – Gym, Counselling Room, Physiotherapist Room, Reflection Room
  • 120 Seat Theatre (Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre) – Dressing Rooms, Greenroom, Production Office, Band Room, Front of House Foyer
  • Production Block – Scenery Store, Props Room, Set Workshop, Wardrobe and Laundry Room
  • Library, IT Facilities, Common Room, Refectory (interval café), Changing Rooms for all students

BIRD offers a relaxed and professionally disciplined environment with students working flexibly every weekday and attending specialist workshops and rehearsals on some weekends. Choreographic potential is encouraged during projects, classes and open performance nights. Students also have the opportunity to study for additional qualifications like the Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education alongside their full-time programme.

Bird College - London skyline at night looking over the River Thames

Studying in London

Thirty minutes from central London
London’s West End remains the heart of the British theatre industry and students at BIRD are well located to take full advantage of this. Sidcup is part of the London Borough of Bexley and is less than twelve miles from Charing Cross, which is usually regarded as the geographical centre of the city. Sidcup is in London Transport’s Zone 5 and a frequent train service gets you into the centre in around 30 minutes. There are also a number of bus services with a travel time of around 40 minutes.

Sidcup combines the benefits of close proximity to all the facilities that the capital city offers, but with the advantage of cheaper housing costs and a quieter environment in which to live and study. It has a mixture of large Victorian and Edwardian properties alongside typical 1930s suburbia with a wide variety of types of student accommodation. It retains many parks and open spaces hinting at the great estates and large homes which historically stood in the area. The town contains a major hospital and a large sports and leisure centre, together with a mix of high street stores, independent shops, a modern library, coffee shops, several pubs and two supermarkets.

London is of course is a leading global centre with a vibrant cultural life in the arts, education, entertainment and media. It is one of the world’s leading business and financial centres and around 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe. London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries.

London contains four World Heritage sites and is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions. Importantly for our students, there are around 40 theatres in the West End alone.

Bird College - London theatre exterior at night Bird College - London Underground sign with London street at night in the background
Bird College - Example of student accommodation showing wardrobe, TV, posters and bookshelves

Accommodation

BIRD Conservatoire is only too aware of the importance of good accommodation for students.

Students aged 18+ are able to reside at the University of Greenwich Halls of Residence (Avery Hill Campus) which is roughly a 20 minute bus journey away.

The Conservatoire works in close affiliation with local landlords who manage the Spring Court and High Court Apartments, Toronto House and Scarlett House specifically for BIRD students. Estate Agents frequently submit lists to BIRD of flats, houses and bed-sits for rent in the area and these are made available. In addition, some places living with local families are available, all of which are given a seal of approval by the Conservatoire Office. Alternatively, students may make their own arrangements.

For further information please contact: admissions@birdcollege.co.uk