SEO META Description
Discover the top drama schools in the UK today. Get information on their programs, admissions requirements, and tuition fees.
Introduction
Drama, like most arts, is the process of creating a performance. Traditionally, this was seen as being in musical theatre and film. However, with the rise of television and digital media (and its subsequent influence on both), there are now many more opportunities for people to express themselves through drama. In addition, the popularity of TV series such as The Crown and movies like La La Land has increased demand for actors – which means you can study drama at home if you want!
Rose Bruford
Their goal is to encourage, motivate and educate you as a creative artist who can use reflective practice and the world-class teaching they offer as tools to become a self-sufficient, independent thinker and a successful working professional. They believe in artistry, collaboration, creativity, community, diversity, employability, and professionalism. Students and teachers work together to create over 70 performances each year. Some productions are performed in London, and others are taken on a tour around the country and abroad. Many of the students incorporate an international experience within their studies with them.
Address: Burnt Oak Lane Sidcup, Kent DA15 9DF United Kingdom
Contact:+44 (0)20 8308 2600
Website: https://www.bruford.ac.uk/rose-bruford-college-ranked-worlds-top-drama-school-for-student-mobility/
Theatricool
Theatricool provides accessible, affordable, and professional musical theatre training in all aspects of performing arts for students from 3 – 20 years old in Colchester and surrounding Essex towns. They provide specialist and qualified tutors across all three disciplines of drama, singing, and dancing. Their specialty is teaching children aged 5 – 18 who wish to learn how to sing professionally. They offer a range of courses, including vocal coaching, songwriting, performance skills, audition preparation, stage management, choreography, music theory, and much more. They teach in their state-of-the-art studio facilities located just outside Colchester town center.
Address: Belle Vue Road, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1XA
Website: https://www.theatricool.co.uk/
Arrden School of Theatre
They are The Ardden, a drama school in Manchester that trains the actors, dancers, singers, performers, directors, producers, and theatre makers of the future. They’re a family, a collective of artists and creative people, and they’re proud to do things differently! When they were first established, in association with The Royal Exchange Theatre, they were one of the first institutions in the UK to offer professional vocational, degree-level theatrical training. Their founder, Robert Ely, had a vision for excellence and innovation, and they’ve continued that legacy by delivering their first-class programs taught exclusively by industry-facing lecturers.
Contact: 03333 222 444
Website: https://thearden.ucenmanchester.ac.uk/
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Bristol Old Vic Theatre school is one of the most respected drama schools in the United Kingdom. Their courses are recognized nationally and internationally as a standard of excellence in professional acting, technical production, and management training. Their café and bar scene is buzzing and eclectic. Their music scene has an established reputation throughout Europe thanks to the success of artists such as Portishead, Tricky, Massive Attack, and Andy Shepherd.
Address: 1 – 3 Downside Road Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2XF
Contact: 0117 973 3535
Website: https://www.oldvic.ac.uk/about-us/why-bovts/
THE UNSEEN DRAMA
The unseen is a new adult drama school for 18+ year-olds dedicated to providing high-quality training, developing acting skills with a highly individual approach, and creating real career opportunities for talented actors. They partner with some of the biggest production companies in the UK and USA. Their graduates have won significant roles in TV and Film for primary streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime and continue working with their management team, representing them across Europe and America. This proves that they are a school focused on excellence and opportunity while being affordable to everyone.
Address: 72-74 Dean Street London W1D 3SG
Website: https://theunseen.co.uk/
RADA
They are committed to providing high-quality dramatic arts training and vocational training for actors, designers, and technicians. They have trained generations of performers and technicians who continue to shape today’s industry. In addition, they offer vocational training in acting, design, and technical theatre craft. They have been delivering theatrical arts training for over a hundred years. Today they are a leading provider of drama education, working with national and international partners to forge creative collaborations and deliver cutting-edge training to an expanding global audience.
Address: Malet Street London WC1E 7JN
Contact: +44 (0)20 7908 4800
Website: https://www.rada.ac.uk/
National Theatre
The National Theatre Collection offers free access to the best British theatre for every state-funded school in the country. Their unique collection of recorded live performances brings the best of British theatre to your classroom and at home. In addition, they offer various resources, including rehearsal insights, short films, and lesson plans to help teachers understand the theatrical process and inspire students to enjoy live performances.
Address: Upper Ground South Bank London SE1 9PX
Contact: 020 3989 5455
Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learning/national-theatre-collection/uk-state-funded-schools
LIPA
The Liverpool Institute for Performance Arts (LIPA), founded in 1991, is an internationally recognized institution offering high-quality postgraduate education in theatre, dance, music, film, media, design, and digital technology. They offer programs taught by leading practitioners and academics across the UK and around the globe. Their students work collaboratively on large-scale performances and projects, developing skills and knowledge through hands-on experience. They also benefit from their unique access to industry professionals and opportunities to network with peers and experts.
Website: https://lipa.ac.uk/
All The Arts Theatre School
Since then, All The Art Classes have moved from Strength to Strength. What started as just a small class in a Church Hall has now grown into one of the most successful drama schools in Greater London, training hundreds of children weekly in acting, singing, and dance. As a result, The Arts Theatre School is delighted to be one of the few local schools recognized by the Council for Dance, Drama, and Musical Theatre. In addition, it has been awarded the council’s certificate of Good Professional Practice.
Contact: 020 8850 2384
Website: https://allthearts.co.uk/
LAMDA
A leading conservatoire, they provide exceptional vocational training to actors and stage managers, regardless of their background, economic circumstances, or previous experience. They’re also an award-winning qualification provider, offering world-renowned qualifications in communication and performance and inspiring the next generation to be confident communicators through their drama, literature, and poetics exams. They believe drama can change lives. They want more individuals to enjoy this experience through training, education, employment, performances, and facilities.
Address: 155 Talgarth Road London W14 9DA
Contact: 020 8834 0500
Website: https://www.lamda.ac.uk/courses/explore-courses
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
They offer extensive courses designed to meet your needs, including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, foundation degrees, bachelor’s degree programs, master’s degree programs, doctorates, short courses, specialist certificates, and online learning. In addition, their courses cover a wide variety of subjects, including art, design, drama, dance, film studies, music, performance, photography, writing, media production, digital technology, business management, health and social care, law, science, engineering, computing, IT, accounting, finance, marketing, psychology, counseling, teaching, languages, sports coaching, sport development, leadership, public speaking, communication skills, personal effectiveness, career guidance and much more.
Address: 1Silk Street, Barbican, London, EC2Y 8DT
Contact: +44 (0)207 628 2571
Website: https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/
Musical Stages
Although qualifications are not necessary for performing arts roles in Britain, studying Dance, Drama, or Theatre Studies at university may help candidates to further their careers. Many different things should be considered when choosing a university, such as the quality of the teaching, the content of the course, and the cost. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top universities for Dance, Drama, and Theatre Studies degrees in the UK, according to the Complete University Guide independent rating system.
Website: http://www.musicalstages.co.uk/best-dance-drama-theatre-universities-uk/
DORSET SCHOOL OF ACTING
The school was founded in 2006 by James Bowden and Laura Roxburgh to provide high-quality vocational actor training on the south coast. The philosophy of The Actor Training Centre is to nurture and develop actors’ talent and create an environment where they can learn how to act professionally. Every student should have access to the best training and support to achieve their goals. They aim to give each student the skills and confidence to succeed in their career path.
Address: Lighthouse, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Contact: 01202 922675
Website: https://dorsetschoolofacting.co.uk/
ISSA
The International School of Film Acting takes a holistic view of actor training which nurtures every student’s creative center. The central ethos of their school is the necessity of taking responsibility for oneself. Teamwork is the word of the day as film and television depend on collaborative contributions by actors, artists, and technicians. Time is also essential, and students are encouraged to note it. Students receive support from tutors and school directors, and specialized counseling is available for those with problems. Their school considers itself a caring place of learning where they nurture their students’ creativity and develop them into successful professionals. They foster a real-world approach to the work, believing that acting should reflect life.
Website: https://www.screenacting.co.uk/
Oxford School of Drama
The Oxford School of Dramatic Art (OSDA) is one of the United Kingdom’s leading acting conservatories.
They believe in developing craft within an actor to make broader change; their aim is for the work produced to be ethically informed and for each actor to be trained to impact the arts and audiences profoundly.
Being one of the smallest drama colleges, they can respond to and support their students’ needs. Students won’t have a bland institutional experience at OSDA – the spirit and passion of the people define OSDA. They’re a group of teachers, tutors, and associates committed to encouraging personal growth and exploring new storytelling methods.
Address: Sansomes Farm Studios, Wootton, Woodstock OX20 1ER, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 (0) 1993 812883
Website: https://oxforddrama.ac.uk/news/drama-schools-in-the-uk/
CDMT
In 1979, concerned at the lack of quality in what was considered acceptable forms of artistic expression, a group of prominent artists met with representatives of various trade bodies to discuss ways they might collaborate to improve matters. As a result, a committee was formed to oversee the development of an agreed set of guidelines for producing dance, drama, musicals, and the performing arts. These became known as the CDET. Since then, the CDET has grown into one of the largest networks of people working within these areas of creative practice. The organization continues to provide advice and guidance to those involved in the creation of new works and to help develop best practices through research and evaluation.
Address: Salters’ Hall, 4 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
Contact: 020 7240 5703
Website: https://cdmt.org.uk/accredited-schools-and-colleges/musical-theatre
The Stage Media Company Limited
Stage Media Company Ltd provides news and services worldwide for the theatre, entertainment, and performing art industries. Established in 1880 by John and Charles Booth, the company was initially called The Theatre Journal. In 1881, they began printing the journal known as The Stage. Today, The Stage is published online and in print throughout the world. The Stage is an indispensable source of information for anyone involved in the performing arts.
Address: 47 Bermondsey Street London SE1 3XT
Contact: 020 7403 1818
Website: https://www.thestage.co.uk/training/institutions
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the top drama schools in the UK. As always, we encourage you to do your research and follow your intuition when deciding where to study.