Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Program
Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person OnlyUltra-SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
Prescreen Required
Audition Required
No Interview
Ultra-Selective
Under 12 Students
University App Required
Program Highlights
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Ranked #1 in Arts, Drama & Music (Complete University Guide)
•Top 4 worldwide for Performing Arts (QS World Rankings)
•3-year intensive conservatoire training at a world-leading institution
TRAINING & CURRICULUM
•Comprehensive training in acting, voice, movement, screen acting, and devising
•Acting Practice explores ensemble, spontaneity, character, and presence
•Voice work includes accents, dialects, singing, and audio performance
•Movement covers stage combat, dance, intimacy, and embodied techniques
•Screen module develops self-taping and on-camera skills
PRODUCTIONS & FACILITIES
•Three professional theatres on campus: Silk Street Theatre, Milton Court Theatre, and Milton Court Studio Theatre
•Cross-school collaboration with Music and Production Arts students in fully staged productions
•Productions for digital platforms, screen, and live-streaming
CAREER PREPARATION
•Final-year industry showcases with agents, casting directors, and directors
•Mock auditions with visiting professionals for film and theatre
•Alumni mentorship programme with working actors
•Specialist Industry Consultant for transition to professional life
•Eligible for student and full Equity membership (UK students)
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Daniel Craig (James Bond franchise)
•Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, Star Wars prequels)
•Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean)
•Damian Lewis (Homeland, Band of Brothers)
•Lily James (Downton Abbey, Cinderella)
•Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey, Godless)
•Dominic West (The Wire, The Crown)
•Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter, Mission: Impossible)
•Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project)
•Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid's Tale)
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atSchool Website
Deadline
Application Deadline (all programmes)Jan 14, 2026
Program AppApplication
Audition
Final Recall (exact dates TBA)May 1, 2026
Application Fee
£37
Prescreen Requirements
Monologues
TWO CONTRASTING MONOLOGUES, 2 min max each
•Must be from published plays
•ONE must be a dramatic speech written in verse
-Verse is rhythmic in structure and pattern, sometimes rhymes
-Looks distinctive on the page with shorter lines than prose
•May come from different eras but this is not a requirement
•No specific requirement for Shakespeare, Jacobean, Elizabethan, or 21st-century works
•Choose pieces that contrast in tone, style, or period
PREPARATION
•Read the entire play for each monologue to understand character and context
•It is helpful if one monologue is close to you in age and life experience
•Perfectly acceptable to prepare monologues on your own — the panel wants your interpretation
•If also applying to other drama schools with set monologues, try to find something different for Guildhall
Callback Requirements
Songs
SHORT UNACCOMPANIED SONG (Final Recall only)
•Any genre: pop, musical theatre, or traditional song
•Not explored in all auditions
•Evaluated on emotional connection and communication, not technical singing ability
Monologues
THIRD CONTRASTING MONOLOGUE
•Prepare a 3rd monologue different from your video selections (Round 2)
•Perform all three monologues at Final Recall (Round 3)
•Final Recall includes more detailed panel work and a group activity
•Do not prepare different monologues from your first round — keep your original two plus the new third
Good to Know
APPLICATION PORTAL
•Apply via Guildhall’s own application portal (not UCAS)
•Applications open 30 September 2025
•Deadline: 4:30 PM London time on 14 January 2026
•Late applications not accepted under any circumstances
ELIGIBILITY
•Minimum age 18 at programme start
•No prior formal training required — selection is merit-based through audition
•Must be completely fluent in English
RE-APPLICANTS
•Must wait until the following year to apply again
•No limit on total number of applications across years
What's The Process
THREE-STAGE AUDITION PROCESS
PRESCREEN (Round 1):
•Self-recorded video submission — introduction + two monologues
•Instructions for video submission sent after application is received
•Deadline for applications is NOT the deadline for video submission
•Allow up to 6 weeks for the panel to review your video
•Panels include graduates of the Acting programme and external theatre practitioners
SECOND ROUND (In Person, London):
•Prepare a 3rd contrasting monologue (different from video selections)
•Takes place at the School in London on weekdays only
•International applicants outside Europe may audition the week before final recalls
•Prompter available if you forget your lines — bring copies of monologues
•Panel may stop you mid-monologue to allow more discussion time — this is normal
FINAL RECALL (In Person, London — May 2026):
•Full day at the School — exact dates TBA
•Perform all three monologues plus a short unaccompanied song
•Includes group activity and more detailed panel work
•Must attend in person — cannot be considered for a place otherwise
•The recall period is fixed and unchangeable
GENERAL:
•Auditions are on weekdays only; no weekend auditions
•Email updates may go to junk/spam folders — check regularly
•Re-applicants must wait until the following year
•No limit on total number of applications across years
Scholarship Info
GUILDHALL SCHOLARSHIPS
•Wide range of scholarships available regardless of domicile
•Awards cover full or partial tuition fees, and may include maintenance support
•All students who accept a place can apply — details provided after accepting an offer
•School allocates over £2 million per year in scholarship support
•Must reapply annually
ACCESS BURSARY (UK Students)
•Available to UK undergraduates from eligible underrepresented backgrounds
•Hardship Fund available for students experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties
SUPPORTED APPLICATION SCHEME
•350 free application places for eligible applicants from underrepresented backgrounds
•Includes workshops, advice, performance invitations, and travel bursaries for auditions
Program info updated 2d ago
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•Ranked #1 in Arts, Drama & Music (Complete University Guide)
•Top 4 worldwide for Performing Arts (QS World Rankings)
•3-year intensive conservatoire training at a world-leading institution
TRAINING & CURRICULUM
•Comprehensive training in acting, voice, movement, screen acting, and devising
•Acting Practice explores ensemble, spontaneity, character, and presence
•Voice work includes accents, dialects, singing, and audio performance
•Movement covers stage combat, dance, intimacy, and embodied techniques
•Screen module develops self-taping and on-camera skills
PRODUCTIONS & FACILITIES
•Three professional theatres on campus: Silk Street Theatre, Milton Court Theatre, and Milton Court Studio Theatre
•Cross-school collaboration with Music and Production Arts students in fully staged productions
•Productions for digital platforms, screen, and live-streaming
CAREER PREPARATION
•Final-year industry showcases with agents, casting directors, and directors
•Mock auditions with visiting professionals for film and theatre
•Alumni mentorship programme with working actors
•Specialist Industry Consultant for transition to professional life
•Eligible for student and full Equity membership (UK students)
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Daniel Craig (James Bond franchise)
•Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, Star Wars prequels)
•Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean)
•Damian Lewis (Homeland, Band of Brothers)
•Lily James (Downton Abbey, Cinderella)
•Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey, Godless)
•Dominic West (The Wire, The Crown)
•Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter, Mission: Impossible)
•Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project)
•Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid's Tale)
Updated 2d ago
Academic School InformationTEF Gold
1%
Offer Rate
87%
Satisfaction
95%
Grad Rate
1,080
Enrollment
£28,000
Earnings
5yr after
Home Tuition
£9,790
UK/EU students
International Tuition
£26,230
overseas students
