Public school

East 15 Acting School

Loughton, England

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Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BA (Hons) Acting and Physical Theatre

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BA (Hons) Acting

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BA (Hons) Acting and Contemporary Theatre

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BA (Hons) Acting and Community Engagement

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BA (Hons) Acting and Fight Performance

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BA (Hons) Acting and Physical Theatre

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BA (Hons) World Performance

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BA (Hons) Stage Management

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BA (Hons) Creative Producing (Theatre and Short Film)

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No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•East 15 Acting School traces its heritage to 1961 and the legacy of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop

•Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

•Part of the University of Essex, ranked number one in the UK for drama and dance (Guardian University Guide 2026)

Training & Productions

•Intensive acting training for stage and screen combined with devised and ensemble work

•Combines traditional British drama school training with modern European performance methodologies

•Builds a wide skills base across aerial circus, devised storytelling, mask, mime, puppetry, and clowning, underpinned by core acting, voice, singing, and movement

•From 2026-27 the course is based at the Colchester Campus, set in 200 acres of parkland near Colchester city centre

Your Future

•Graduates work as actors, puppeteers, aerial specialists, and street and clown performers, and have founded award-winning touring companies

•Recent graduates have appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Life of Pi, and War Horse, and worked with the RSC, the National Theatre, the Globe, Told by an Idiot, and Improbable

School Info

Snapshot

90%

Satisfaction

2025, 1 course, n=140

94%

Grad Rate

£24k

Earnings

5yr after

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£9,790

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£22,600

overseas students

Discover Uni

Program info updated Jul 1, 6:16 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•East 15 Acting School traces its heritage to 1961 and the legacy of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop

•Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

•Part of the University of Essex, ranked number one in the UK for drama and dance (Guardian University Guide 2026)

Training & Productions

•Intensive acting training for stage and screen combined with devised and ensemble work

•Combines traditional British drama school training with modern European performance methodologies

•Builds a wide skills base across aerial circus, devised storytelling, mask, mime, puppetry, and clowning, underpinned by core acting, voice, singing, and movement

•From 2026-27 the course is based at the Colchester Campus, set in 200 acres of parkland near Colchester city centre

Your Future

•Graduates work as actors, puppeteers, aerial specialists, and street and clown performers, and have founded award-winning touring companies

•Recent graduates have appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Life of Pi, and War Horse, and worked with the RSC, the National Theatre, the Globe, Told by an Idiot, and Improbable

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•East 15 Acting School traces its heritage to 1961 and the legacy of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop

•Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

•Part of the University of Essex, ranked number one in the UK for drama and dance (Guardian University Guide 2026)

Training & Productions

•Intensive acting training for stage and screen combined with devised and ensemble work

•Combines traditional British drama school training with modern European performance methodologies

•Builds a wide skills base across aerial circus, devised storytelling, mask, mime, puppetry, and clowning, underpinned by core acting, voice, singing, and movement

•From 2026-27 the course is based at the Colchester Campus, set in 200 acres of parkland near Colchester city centre

Your Future

•Graduates work as actors, puppeteers, aerial specialists, and street and clown performers, and have founded award-winning touring companies

•Recent graduates have appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Life of Pi, and War Horse, and worked with the RSC, the National Theatre, the Globe, Told by an Idiot, and Improbable

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

University AppApplication

Apply

UCAS School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Monologues

Two Speeches, Each 90 Seconds Maximum

•Speech 1: a character-driven speech from a contemporary play or film/TV drama

-Choose writing from the 20th or 21st century that lets you communicate thoughts and emotions to another person or group

•Speech 2: a speech in heightened language

-Choose a piece with a distinct rhythm where sound and meaning overlap with purpose

-Can be lyrics, spoken word, poetry, drama, or literature from any period that rises beyond conversational speech (anyone from Shakespeare to Kae Tempest, Soyinka to Stormzy)

Material Selection

•All pieces must be performed in English

•Published texts from all global traditions are welcome in English translation

•Embody the role and make clear choices rather than simply reading the text

Official Source

Callback Requirements

Monologues

Round 2 Recall

•Applicants invited to a Round 2 recall may be asked to prepare additional pieces

•Specific requirements are course-dependent and are sent with your recall invitation

•Round 2 requirements are subject to change, so check the details at the time of booking

Official Source

Good to Know

How to Apply

•Apply through UCAS (institution code E70, Essex) or the University of Essex Direct Application form (do not complete both)

•Then complete the East 15 Application Form (Qualtrics) and enter the URL of your Round 1 video audition

•On the East 15 form you can list up to two preferred East 15 courses, and you are automatically considered for all courses

•UCAS course code: W494 (Colchester, Campus Code C)

Deadline

•No fixed deadline, but apply as early as possible

•Courses may close at any time from the beginning of June

•Applicants may apply and audition only once per admissions cycle

Fees

•There is no fee to submit the East 15 application form or Round 1 video audition

•A 10 GBP administration fee applies only if you book a Round 2 recall at an overseas or off-campus UK venue

•An Administration Fee Waiver is available for low-income households, young carers, and care leavers, applied for within the East 15 application form

What's The Process

Round 1 Video Audition

•Record a video audition and submit its URL with your East 15 Application Form

•Begin with a spoken introduction of up to 90 seconds: your name, where you are from, why you chose East 15, and the character and source of each piece

•Follow the introduction with your two speeches

•Tutors review your video and notify you of the outcome, usually within 10 working days (longer during the busy January to April period)

Round 2 Recall

•Applicants who pass Round 1 are invited to a Round 2 recall audition

•Round 2 takes place on campus, at an international venue, or online via Zoom

•You will be sent your options and booking details when you are recalled

•At Round 2 you are considered for all East 15 courses, taking your course preferences into account

Contact

•Audition and admissions queries: e15adms@essex.ac.uk

School Info

Snapshot

90%

Satisfaction

2025, 1 course, n=140

94%

Grad Rate

£24k

Earnings

5yr after

Costs & Aid

Home Tuition

£9,790

UK/EU students

International Tuition

£22,600

overseas students

Discover Uni

Program Recognition

•East 15 Acting School traces its heritage to 1961 and the legacy of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop

•Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

•Part of the University of Essex, ranked number one in the UK for drama and dance (Guardian University Guide 2026)

Training & Productions

•Intensive acting training for stage and screen combined with devised and ensemble work

•Combines traditional British drama school training with modern European performance methodologies

•Builds a wide skills base across aerial circus, devised storytelling, mask, mime, puppetry, and clowning, underpinned by core acting, voice, singing, and movement

•From 2026-27 the course is based at the Colchester Campus, set in 200 acres of parkland near Colchester city centre

Your Future

•Graduates work as actors, puppeteers, aerial specialists, and street and clown performers, and have founded award-winning touring companies

•Recent graduates have appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Life of Pi, and War Horse, and worked with the RSC, the National Theatre, the Globe, Told by an Idiot, and Improbable

Updated Jul 1, 6:16 PM