Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Program
Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
Prescreen Required
Audition Required
No Interview
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING
•Part of the University of London — one of the UK's most prestigious conservatoires
•Actor-centered approach to musical theatre — places acting skills at the forefront
•Extensive training in singing and dancing alongside core acting curriculum
•Training in acting through song and movement across musicals, plays, film, TV, and radio
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
•Final-year public productions of book musicals and plays for public audiences
•Agent showcase and industry showcase in Central London
•Collaborations with Derby LIVE, Filter Theatre, and visiting West End professionals
•Majority of teaching delivered by visiting industry professionals
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody — Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, X-Men: Apocalypse)
•Hannah John-Kamen (Ready Player One, Game of Thrones, Ant-Man and the Wasp)
•Maddison Bulleyment (Anne Boleyn in SIX UK Tour)
•Georgina Castle (lead in Mamma Mia! West End)
•Ryan Heenan (Back to the Future West End)
•Audrey Brisson (Amélie the Musical — Olivier Award nomination)
•Jack Loxton (Dear Evan Hansen West End — WhatsOnStage Award, Olivier nomination)
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atUCAS
Deadline
UCASJan 14, 2026
Overseas Tuition (Acting) Fee
£27,780
Higher than standard overseas rate (£27,250) for all three Acting strands
Program AppApplication
Auditions
Self-Tape Deadline (applied before 5 Nov)Nov 24, 2025
Self-Tape Deadline (applied 6 Nov–18 Dec)Jan 7, 2026
Self-Tape Deadline (applied 19 Dec–14 Jan)Feb 4, 2026
Prescreen Requirements
Songs
ONE MEMORISED SONG, 2 min max
•Song can be of your choosing or an original you have written
•Must be performed unaccompanied (a cappella)
•You MUST sing to be considered for BA Acting: Musical Theatre
-Speaking the song or performing a poem instead means consideration for the other two acting programmes only
Monologues
TWO MEMORISED SPEECHES, 2 min max each
•ONE CLASSICAL SPEECH of your choosing
-See Central's classical speech list for examples of past selections
•ONE CONTEMPORARY SPEECH written after 1960
-Must not be from a film or television script
MATERIAL SELECTION
•Read the full play for each speech — you may be asked about the plays at recall
•Do not select extracts from audition speech books
Additional Materials
DEVISED PIECE (required)
•30-90 second solo devised piece
•Inspired by one of the stimuli on Central's Devised Pieces webpage
•Created and performed by you
•Any art form welcome: storytelling, stand-up, self-penned monologue, puppetry, mask work, soundscape, dance, movement, or short film
Callback Requirements
Songs
SECOND ROUND
•May be asked to sing accompanied and/or unaccompanied
•Vocal assessment may be included
FINAL ROUND
•May be asked to present a new song or dance
•Further vocal and movement assessment possible
Monologues
SECOND ROUND (selected applicants)
•May be asked to repeat and workshop first-round speeches
•Improvisations and physical/vocal workshops
•Brief interview possible
FINAL ROUND (selected applicants)
•Intensive workshop sessions in voice, movement, and acting
•Further work on original speeches
•May include sight-reading and scene work
Dance
SECOND ROUND
•Physical workshop component
•Movement exercises
FINAL ROUND
•May include a dance component
•Intensive movement workshop sessions
Good to Know
APPLICATION PROCESS
•Apply through UCAS — Institution Code: C35, Course Code: W410
•UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline: 14 January 2026
AUDITION FEES
•No audition fees — removed for all applicants from 2025
ELIGIBILITY
•IELTS 7.0 required for non-native English speakers
•Applicants may perform one or more pieces in their native language if they also perform in English
•October 2026 start, 3 years full-time
•Audition feedback available to unsuccessful applicants on request
What's The Process
PRESCREEN (ROUND 1)
•All applicants submit a self-tape video audition
•Deadline based on when UCAS application is received:
-Applied before 5 Nov 2025 → self-tape due 24 Nov 2025
-Applied 6 Nov–18 Dec 2025 → self-tape due 7 Jan 2026
-Applied 19 Dec 2025–14 Jan 2026 → self-tape due 4 Feb 2026
•One self-tape covers all three BA Acting programmes
•Filming instructions sent via email after application received
SECOND ROUND (selected applicants)
•In-person workshop at London campus OR remote online audition via video call
•Equal consideration whether onsite or online
•MT recalls may include accompanied singing and vocal assessment
FINAL ROUND (selected applicants)
•In-person at London campus (remote option for overseas students only)
•May include new song, dance, or sight-reading
•Travel grants available for eligible UK-based applicants
•Offers communicated via UCAS
Scholarship Info
ACTING PROGRAMME SCHOLARSHIPS
•Martha Miller, Paul Milikin, and Renate Branton Scholarships (Home students)
•Sophie's Silver Lining Bursary (Home/ELQ students)
•The Newsom Bursary — specifically for BA Acting: Musical Theatre (Home students)
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIPS
•The Embassy Scholarship — open to all students including overseas
•Leverhulme, Dream on, and Hamilton Stewart for all UK undergraduates
•Access to Central Bursary: £1,250 automatic for UK students with household income under £35,000
APPLICATION
•One application covers all eligible scholarships — form included in offer pack
•Applied after receiving admission offer, not at application stage
Program info updated Mar 27, 1:48 AM
TRAINING
•Part of the University of London — one of the UK's most prestigious conservatoires
•Actor-centered approach to musical theatre — places acting skills at the forefront
•Extensive training in singing and dancing alongside core acting curriculum
•Training in acting through song and movement across musicals, plays, film, TV, and radio
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
•Final-year public productions of book musicals and plays for public audiences
•Agent showcase and industry showcase in Central London
•Collaborations with Derby LIVE, Filter Theatre, and visiting West End professionals
•Majority of teaching delivered by visiting industry professionals
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody — Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, X-Men: Apocalypse)
•Hannah John-Kamen (Ready Player One, Game of Thrones, Ant-Man and the Wasp)
•Maddison Bulleyment (Anne Boleyn in SIX UK Tour)
•Georgina Castle (lead in Mamma Mia! West End)
•Ryan Heenan (Back to the Future West End)
•Audrey Brisson (Amélie the Musical — Olivier Award nomination)
•Jack Loxton (Dear Evan Hansen West End — WhatsOnStage Award, Olivier nomination)
Updated Mar 27, 1:48 AM
Academic School InformationTEF Silver
79%
Satisfaction
94%
Grad Rate
1,000
Enrollment
£29,500
Earnings
5yr after
Home Tuition
£9,790
UK/EU students
International Tuition
£27,250
overseas students
