Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Program
Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredIn-Person OnlyUltra-SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsNo University App
Program Characteristics
Prescreen Required
Audition Required
Interview Required
Ultra-Selective
Under 12 Students
No University App
Program Highlights
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•One of the world's most prestigious drama schools, founded in 1904
•Validated by King's College London
•Accepts only 28 students per year with a 50/50 gender split
TRAINING & CURRICULUM
•Intensive 3-year conservatory training combining studio classes, professional development, and public performances
•Year 1: Exploration of acting techniques (Stanislavski-based), voice, movement, screen acting, improvisation, combat, dance
•Year 2: Deepened technique including screen acting, devised theatre, singing, movement; public performances at RADA, London schools, and international festivals
•Year 3: Full public productions in RADA's theatres with industry audiences; professional development with agents, casting directors, and producers
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•International festivals: META, Gdansk International Shakespeare Festival, European Forum Alpbach, Utah Shakespeare Festival
•Public productions in RADA's own theatres and London venues
•Screen acting training and screenings throughout the program
CAREER SUPPORT
•Professional development seminars with agents, casting directors, and producers
•Training in self-taping, audition technique, and freelancing
•RADA Buddy mentoring scheme connecting graduates with industry professionals
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Deadline
Application DeadlineJan 29, 2026
Application Fee
£39
Prescreen Requirements
Songs
RECALL SELF-TAPE (STAGE 2)
•An unaccompanied song — verse and chorus only
•Singing ability is not being assessed — RADA wants to see how you communicate in a different medium
•Any song of your choice
Monologues
PRELIMINARY SELF-TAPE
•Two audition speeches, each up to 2 minutes
•1-minute introduction (name, postcode, and why you chose your pieces)
SPEECH A — CLASSICAL
•Must be from Shakespeare or an Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright (Jonson, Marlowe, Webster, etc.)
•Must be originally written in English (no Greek tragedy or Molière)
•May perform in your native language, but must also perform the same piece in English
SPEECH B — CONTEMPORARY
•A contemporary monologue written after 1960
RECALL SELF-TAPE (STAGE 2)
•A different classical speech from the preliminary round
FINAL WORKSHOP DAY (STAGE 4)
•Prepare a new speech of your choice from any era (Greek to contemporary)
•Must not have been shown or worked on in earlier stages
Callback Requirements
Monologues
STAGE 3 — IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
•Be prepared to work on your speeches from earlier self-tape rounds
•Work with a director to explore the material
STAGE 4 — FINAL WORKSHOP DAY
•Prepare a new audition speech of your choice from any era (Greek to contemporary)
•Must not have been shown or worked on in earlier stages
Additional Materials
•10-minute interview with a senior panel member
Good to Know
HOW TO APPLY
•Apply via RADA's online application form at rada.ac.uk (not through UCAS)
•Once your application is submitted, you have two weeks to upload your self-tape video
APPLICATION TIMELINE
•Applications open annually; self-tapes reviewed October–February
•Recalls from November onwards with a two-week submission deadline
•In-person workshops and final rounds follow at RADA in London
DISABLED APPLICANTS
•RADA welcomes applications from disabled applicants
•Contact admissions@rada.ac.uk for additional support during the admissions process
What's The Process
FOUR-STAGE AUDITION PROCESS
•Stage 1 — Preliminary Self-Tape: Submit one classical and one contemporary speech plus introduction; reviewed by two panel members (October–February)
•Stage 2 — Recall Self-Tape: Submit a different classical speech plus a song (verse and chorus only); reviewed by three panel members
•Stage 3 — In-Person Workshop: A three-hour workshop held at RADA in London where you work on your speeches with a director
•Stage 4 — Full Workshop Day & Interview: Prepare a new speech of your choice from any era; followed by a 10-minute interview with a senior panel member
GENERAL NOTES
•RADA auditions everyone who applies
•No academic qualifications required — entry is by audition only
•You may only apply once per academic year
•Applicants must have excellent conversational English
•Due to the volume of applicants, feedback is not routinely provided
Scholarship Info
AUTOMATIC AWARDS
•All eligible students with household income under £45,000/year receive £3,000/year automatically
•Must be registered on a RADA higher education programme validated by King's College London
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
•Around 50% of undergraduate students receive some financial support from RADA
•Care-experienced students receive an additional £1,000/year
•Hardship fund available for students facing unexpected financial difficulties
•External scholarship links: D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Boris Karloff Foundation, Clothworkers' Foundation
UK STUDENTS
•Eligible for Student Loans Company tuition fee loans and maintenance loans
•Tuition fee loans paid directly to RADA (no upfront fees)
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
•Must pay full fees and living costs
•£3,000 deposit required when accepting a place offer
•Limited scholarship availability; priority given to new HE students
Program info updated Mar 24, 12:25 AM
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
•One of the world's most prestigious drama schools, founded in 1904
•Validated by King's College London
•Accepts only 28 students per year with a 50/50 gender split
TRAINING & CURRICULUM
•Intensive 3-year conservatory training combining studio classes, professional development, and public performances
•Year 1: Exploration of acting techniques (Stanislavski-based), voice, movement, screen acting, improvisation, combat, dance
•Year 2: Deepened technique including screen acting, devised theatre, singing, movement; public performances at RADA, London schools, and international festivals
•Year 3: Full public productions in RADA's theatres with industry audiences; professional development with agents, casting directors, and producers
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•International festivals: META, Gdansk International Shakespeare Festival, European Forum Alpbach, Utah Shakespeare Festival
•Public productions in RADA's own theatres and London venues
•Screen acting training and screenings throughout the program
CAREER SUPPORT
•Professional development seminars with agents, casting directors, and producers
•Training in self-taping, audition technique, and freelancing
•RADA Buddy mentoring scheme connecting graduates with industry professionals
Updated Mar 24, 12:25 AM
Academic School InformationTEF Gold
1%
Offer Rate
86%
Satisfaction
100%
Grad Rate
200
Enrollment
£36,500
Earnings
1yr after
Home Tuition
£9,790
UK/EU students
International Tuition
£26,500
overseas students
