A Guide to Getting Into Drama School

Before diving into the application process, it’s worth asking yourself: Is drama school worth it?

Drama schools offer structured, full-time actor training, typically through a conservatoire model. That means you’ll spend long hours in classes on movement, voice, scene study, and various acting methods, with a focus on practical learning and performance. Many actors find the intensive environment invaluable for honing their skills and preparing for a professional career.

Formal training can, however, be financially inaccessible, and it’s important to note that it isn’t the only route into acting. Take Jodie Comer, for example, who managed to build her incredibly successful career without attending drama school, proving that raw talent, determination, and real-world experience can be just as powerful as formal training. For many, though, drama school provides the foundation and industry access needed to build a sustainable career.

1. Research the right school for you.

Not all drama schools are the same. Some offer academic degrees, while others offer diplomas. Some specialise in classical acting, while others focus on musical theatre or devising your own work.

Among the best acting schools in the UK are RADA, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Guildhall, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Guildford School of Acting, all of which have reputations grounded in decades of training talent. But there are a number of newer drama schools hot on their heels, including Identity School of Acting and Fourth Monkey. 

Each school has its own ethos and training style. Make sure you take the time to explore their course structures, values, and graduate outcomes, and read student testimonials to discover which school feels like the best fit for you.

2. Calculate the cost of applying.

Some drama schools, such as Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and Fourth Monkey, have opted not to charge application or audition fees at all (in a bid to make theatre training as accessible as possible to people of all backgrounds), but many still charge fees to either apply or audition. 

Before you apply it’s worth calculating what the total cost of your application and audition fees will be and ensuring that you have enough to cover them. Fees range from £40 to £80, and most drama schools charge around £50 to audition. Some schools, such as Mountview and Guildford School of Acting, offer audition fee waivers to those who are eligible. 

3. Apply online.

Applying to undergraduate acting and musical theatre courses at drama schools in the UK is a multistage process. 

The first stage generally involves filling in an online application form or applying through UCAS. You will need to provide some personal details, such as your name, age, and contact information, as well as a personal statement and which courses you are applying for. Each school will have its own entry requirements, which you can find on their websites. In most cases you need to be over 18 to apply, be fluent in written and spoken English, and have achieved a standard of education that means you can study for a degree. Many schools, however, are clear that they are more focused on your performance at the audition than your academic qualifications. 

4. Prepare your audition material and submit your self-tape.

The majority of drama schools invite everyone who applies by the deadline to submit a self-tape audition for consideration. Although it will vary course to course and school to school, generally your self-tape will need to include one contemporary monologue, one classical speech, and a song. If you are applying for a course like the Guildford School of Acting’s BA in Musical Theatre, “sing two contrasting songs of [your] choice – one pre-1965 and one post-1965” in your self-tape, says Julian Woolford, the school’s head of musical theatre.

Some schools, such as Fourth Monkey, skip the self-tape round and see every applicant online for a first-round audition and interview. Others, such as Mountview, hold all of their first-round auditions in person.

Tips for preparing your audition material

• Choose pieces that complement your casting. Elaine Sedgwick, student recruitment and marketing manager at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, advises applicants to “choose pieces that you connect with emotionally and that suit your age and experience.” Mitchell Hunt, head of business and brand at Fourth Monkey, makes a similar point. “Finding something that’s close to you is always a good idea” for an audition speech, he says.
• Showcase your unique talents. “Show us what you do best,” Woolford says. “If you’re a great belt singer, show us your belt. If you’re naturally funny, find a monologue which showcases that.” For GSA, he says, “it’s about finding distinct individuals who know what they’re good at.”
• Offer variety. “Your two monologues should offer some contrast in rhythm, tone, and character” in order to convey your range, Sedgwick says.
• Make smart choices. There are at least three pieces you need to prepare – two speeches and a song – for the majority of drama school auditions. “Look at the different schools you are applying to and the material you need to prepare [for each of them], then think how you can make smart choices around that,” Woolford says. Certain schools, for example, will ask you to pick from a list of classical texts, so it makes sense to choose something from that list as your classical speech for every audition.
• Don’t overcomplicate your choices. “Clarity, honesty, and presence are more powerful than overly dramatic delivery,” Sedgwick says. Focus on understanding the text and the given circumstances of your monologues and songs to ensure that you know the stakes of the situation rather than forcing anything. “Rehearse with a teacher, mentor, or trusted peer who can offer constructive feedback,” she adds.

Whether you audition for the first round via self-tape, online, or in person, a decision will be made on each applicant about whether to invite them to a recall.

5. Nail your recall.

Recalls are usually in person. They’re your chance to show your full potential – not just through your performance, but in how you engage, listen, and collaborate with others. 

Many drama schools use their recalls to replicate what a day of training at their institution would look like. That means that rather than walking into a room alone to face a panel of judges, your audition day will involve taking part in classes similar to those on the course. It’s likely to include some kind of movement workshop and voice class, as well as performing your prepared material in front of your peers and the panel.  

Audition day tips

• Wear comfortable clothes: Particularly for the movement workshops, it’s important to feel at ease and like you’re able to move your body.
• Stay hydrated and bring snacks: Many recalls last a full day, so come prepared with plenty of water and snacks to keep you hydrated and energised through the day.
• Remain adaptable and open: Hunt says auditionees should “be prepared to take direction and try new things with the text,” so it’s important to “know the lines well enough to play with it in performance.” Sedgwick advises that you “stay open, listen actively, and show that you're ready to learn.”
• Focus on the work, not the outcome: “If you’re nervous, which is normal, try to focus on the work rather than the outcome,” Sedgwick says. Woolford tells applicants to “throw yourself into the material” to avoid overthinking and nerves.
• Let your personality shine: Woolford advises auditionees to “show us your energy – show us who you are – rather than trying to impress us.” Sedgwick seconds that. “Be yourself,” she says. “They’re interested in your potential and personality, not just [your] performance.”
• Remember your agency: Sedgwick, Woolford, and Hunt all stress that the audition day should be as much about prospective students working out if the training being offered is right for them as it is about the school auditioning them. Try to keep that in mind when the nerves start creeping in.

If you are thinking of applying to drama school, you are probably wondering what the schools look for from their applicants. What drama schools are looking for inevitably varies, but the theme generally is potential rather than finished product. 

Central looks for “a genuine passion for performance and storytelling, curiosity and openness to learning, a willingness to take creative risks, the ability to respond to direction, and a strong sense of presence, voice, and physicality,” Sedgwick says. “Most importantly, we are looking for individuals who will thrive in a collaborative, ensemble environment, and who demonstrate a commitment to the demands of full-time training.”

At Guildford School of Acting, Woolford says, they look for two things in their musical theatre students. The first is trainability. They want applicants who “demonstrate they’ve got the flexibility, strength, coordination, and ability to learn.” The second is authenticity. They want applicants who are “being distinctly themselves.” When it comes to selecting pupils, he adds, they are “taking 22 distinctive people that we believe will have viable careers in the industry moving forward.” 

Fourth Monkey looks for “playfulness, willingness, and a passion for storytelling” in their prospective students, Hunt says. “We're not looking for polished or perfect. We’re looking for potential.” 

There are common overlaps in what each drama school looks for, but it is worth familiarising yourself with the admission requirements of each to gain a clear understanding of what they are after. 

Not getting into drama school on your first attempt is incredibly common. Try not to feel too disheartened if it happens to you, and remember that many actors reapply several times before gaining a place. (Carey Mulligan, for example, went on to have an incredibly successful career despite being rejected from every drama school she applied to).

If you do decide you want to reapply, in the meantime:

• Take acting classes or short courses to develop your skills.
• Join youth theatre or amateur productions to hone your stagecraft.
• Build confidence and real-world experience to add to your acting CV by applying for jobs via open casting calls.
• Consider alternative routes, such as foundation courses or training collectives. 

Drama school can be a transformative experience for many, but it’s not the only way to become a working actor. Whether you’re applying to a major conservatoire or a modern training programme, the key is to arrive prepared, show your passion, and trust your instincts.

Remember: It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being prepared, open, and willing to grow.