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Manchester School of Theatre

Manchester, England

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Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BA (Hons) Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

TEF Gold (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027)

Conservatoire actor training established in 1970 with over 50 years of heritage

Training

Three-year vocational training for stage, screen, radio, motion capture, and animation

Training from industry-active directors, voice coaches, and movement specialists

Annual Showcase at a West End theatre in London and the school's Manchester theatre

At least one public production per term in the final year

Notable Alumni

Julie Walters — Educating Rita, Harry Potter, Mamma Mia!

Steve Coogan — Alan Partridge, Philomena, The Trip

Richard Griffiths — Withnail and I, Harry Potter, The History Boys

John Bradley — Game of Thrones

David Threlfall — Shameless

Zawe Ashton — Fresh Meat, The Marvels

Bernard Hill — The Lord of the Rings, Titanic

Professional Development

Strong partnerships with BBC, ITV, and the Royal Exchange Theatre

Access to HOME, The Lowry, Contact Theatre, and Factory International

Guest workshops from directors, agents, producers, and casting directors

Students compete for the Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award (won and runner-up in recent years)

Spotlight Prize and Buffini Chao Elevate Scholarship opportunities

Sam Wanamaker Festival and RSC weekend participation

Graduates eligible for Equity membership

School info

Snapshot

Satisfaction

74%

2025, 2 courses, n=60

Continuation

100%

1 yr after entry

Earnings

£23k

5yr after

Costs & aid

Home tuition & fees

£9,790

Home students · 2026/27

International tuition & fees

£21,500

overseas students · 2026/27

Ba Acting · mmu.ac.uk Discover Uni

Program info updated Sep 13, 6:44 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

TEF Gold (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027)

Conservatoire actor training established in 1970 with over 50 years of heritage

Training

Three-year vocational training for stage, screen, radio, motion capture, and animation

Training from industry-active directors, voice coaches, and movement specialists

Annual Showcase at a West End theatre in London and the school's Manchester theatre

At least one public production per term in the final year

Notable Alumni

Julie Walters — Educating Rita, Harry Potter, Mamma Mia!

Steve Coogan — Alan Partridge, Philomena, The Trip

Richard Griffiths — Withnail and I, Harry Potter, The History Boys

John Bradley — Game of Thrones

David Threlfall — Shameless

Zawe Ashton — Fresh Meat, The Marvels

Bernard Hill — The Lord of the Rings, Titanic

Professional Development

Strong partnerships with BBC, ITV, and the Royal Exchange Theatre

Access to HOME, The Lowry, Contact Theatre, and Factory International

Guest workshops from directors, agents, producers, and casting directors

Students compete for the Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award (won and runner-up in recent years)

Spotlight Prize and Buffini Chao Elevate Scholarship opportunities

Sam Wanamaker Festival and RSC weekend participation

Graduates eligible for Equity membership

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

TEF Gold (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027)

Conservatoire actor training established in 1970 with over 50 years of heritage

Training

Three-year vocational training for stage, screen, radio, motion capture, and animation

Training from industry-active directors, voice coaches, and movement specialists

Annual Showcase at a West End theatre in London and the school's Manchester theatre

At least one public production per term in the final year

Notable Alumni

Julie Walters — Educating Rita, Harry Potter, Mamma Mia!

Steve Coogan — Alan Partridge, Philomena, The Trip

Richard Griffiths — Withnail and I, Harry Potter, The History Boys

John Bradley — Game of Thrones

David Threlfall — Shameless

Zawe Ashton — Fresh Meat, The Marvels

Bernard Hill — The Lord of the Rings, Titanic

Professional Development

Strong partnerships with BBC, ITV, and the Royal Exchange Theatre

Access to HOME, The Lowry, Contact Theatre, and Factory International

Guest workshops from directors, agents, producers, and casting directors

Students compete for the Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award (won and runner-up in recent years)

Spotlight Prize and Buffini Chao Elevate Scholarship opportunities

Sam Wanamaker Festival and RSC weekend participation

Graduates eligible for Equity membership

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

UCAS School Website

Opens

Sep 1, 2026

Deadline

UCAS Equal ConsiderationJan 13, 2027

When To Apply · mmu.ac.uk

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Audition · theatre.mmu.ac.uk

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.

Songs

One Musical Theatre Song (Optional Alternative)

If choosing one monologue and one song instead of two monologues, the song must be from a musical theatre show

No longer than two minutes

Monologues

Two Contrasting Monologues (or One Monologue and One Song)

Perform two rehearsed, memorised monologues, or one monologue and one musical theatre song

Each piece no longer than two minutes

Before each monologue, state the character, play or source, and author

Material Selection

Choose materials that inspire and excite you

Select characters you can relate to

Read the entire play for context, not just the monologue

Video Specifications

Recording Guidelines

Video must not be longer than 10 minutes total

Upload to YouTube or Vimeo (not password protected, does not need to be public)

Background should be as neutral as possible

Address the camera lens directly at some points

Avoid busy patterns or large logos on clothing

Ensure good lighting (do not sit in front of a window)

Check sound quality before submitting

Do not edit individual pieces (may record pieces separately and edit together)

Audition · theatre.mmu.ac.uk

Good to Know

Application

Apply through UCAS (code W411, institution M40)

No audition fees

Eligibility

Deferred applications and advanced entry not accepted

September enrollment only

What's The Process

Audition Process

All applicants are invited to submit a first-round audition video

Submit the video link through the Digital Portfolio submission site

Successful applicants are invited to a recall audition on campus in Manchester

Overseas applicants may attend the final round online

The next-cycle video deadline and recall schedule have not yet been published

Highly competitive: a second or third recall may be required

Audition Expectations

Begin the first-round video with a brief self-introduction of no more than two minutes

The final round includes an interview

Decisions

Outcomes are communicated through UCAS Track

Contact: 0161 247 5922 / adm.artdes@mmu.ac.uk

Scholarship Info

Bursaries & Awards

Buffini Chao Elevate Scholarship for students from underrepresented backgrounds

Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award (won and runner-up in recent years)

Spotlight Prize

University scholarships available for UK and international students

School info

Snapshot

Satisfaction

74%

2025, 2 courses, n=60

Continuation

100%

1 yr after entry

Earnings

£23k

5yr after

Costs & aid

Home tuition & fees

£9,790

Home students · 2026/27

International tuition & fees

£21,500

overseas students · 2026/27

Ba Acting · mmu.ac.uk Discover Uni

Program Recognition

Member of the Federation of Drama Schools

TEF Gold (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027)

Conservatoire actor training established in 1970 with over 50 years of heritage

Training

Three-year vocational training for stage, screen, radio, motion capture, and animation

Training from industry-active directors, voice coaches, and movement specialists

Annual Showcase at a West End theatre in London and the school's Manchester theatre

At least one public production per term in the final year

Notable Alumni

Julie Walters — Educating Rita, Harry Potter, Mamma Mia!

Steve Coogan — Alan Partridge, Philomena, The Trip

Richard Griffiths — Withnail and I, Harry Potter, The History Boys

John Bradley — Game of Thrones

David Threlfall — Shameless

Zawe Ashton — Fresh Meat, The Marvels

Bernard Hill — The Lord of the Rings, Titanic

Professional Development

Strong partnerships with BBC, ITV, and the Royal Exchange Theatre

Access to HOME, The Lowry, Contact Theatre, and Factory International

Guest workshops from directors, agents, producers, and casting directors

Students compete for the Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award (won and runner-up in recent years)

Spotlight Prize and Buffini Chao Elevate Scholarship opportunities

Sam Wanamaker Festival and RSC weekend participation

Graduates eligible for Equity membership

Updated Sep 13, 6:44 PM