Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (Central) is based in Swiss Cottage, in the vibrant borough of Camden, London. The school offers vocational training courses to aspiring actors and creatives, along with research degrees in the performing arts. High profile alumni include Dame Judi Dench, Hugh Bonneville and Jennifer Saunders.

Ranked as ‘world leading’ in its field, the school boasts three main disciplines:

Acting – Classical, Acting - Contemporary, Acting for Screen, Actor Training and Coaching, Advanced Theatre Practice, Applied Theatre, Applied Theatre With Young People, Creative Producing, Drama and Movement Therapy, Movement: Directing and Teaching, Music Theatre, Performance Practice as Research, Scenography, Theatre Criticism and Dramaturgy, Voice Studies, Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media.

Along with taught and research postgraduate courses, you will also be able to study for a Diploma or BA (Hons) degree at undergraduate level, along with a number of short courses, evening classes and one-to-one training sessions.

The school has strong connections within the television, film and theatre industries, so students benefit from regular workshops and work experience opportunities. Performance students will also have the chance to impress visiting agents and casting directors throughout the year. Students in recent years have worked on the stage at Shakespeare’s Globe, found placements at the National Theatre and undertaken production roles at festivals such as The Secret Garden Party.

There are currently no recent student reviews for this college, so student opinion has been left off this profile.

Throughout your time at Central, you will have the opportunity to undertake relevant work placements within the industry, including English National Opera, Young Vic, Hampstead Theatre and Royal Opera House.

You will receive training from teachers who are leading in their field, along with talks from visiting staff, ranging from West End producers to TV writers and playwrights.

Central offers a range of taught degrees at postgraduate level, available to study on a full or part-time basis. Similar to their undergraduate degrees, postgraduate study will involve specialised workshops, lectures, seminars and projects led by Central’s experienced and dedicated lecturers. Lecturers who either lead the field in academic research or whom have had years of experience working in some of the highest positions throughout the industry. Teaching is also supported from visiting industry professionals giving guests talks and workshops from their positions as professional actors, directors, writers and producers.

There will be plenty of creative opportunities for you to get involved in and showcase your talents and some of the courses also offer professional placements and attachments to some of theatre’s biggest names and companies.

You will be assessed through a range of research and practical projects, coursework, performances, and you will submit a dissertation or final project towards the last few months of your degree.

Courses include:

• Acting - Classical, MA
• Acting - Contemporary, MA
• Acting for Screen, MA
• Actor Training and Coaching, MA/MFA
• Advanced Theatre Practice, MA/MFA
• Applied Theatre, MA
• Creative Producing, MA/MFA
• Drama and Movement Therapy, MA
• Movement: Directing and Teaching, MA/MFA
• Music Theatre, MA
• Performance Practice as Research, MA/MFA
• Scenography, MA/MFA
• Theatre Criticism and Dramaturgy, MA
• Voice Studies, MA/MFA
• Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media, MA/MFA

The Student Union is made up of 14 Officers, who are elected student volunteers. As well as the President and three Vice Presidents the Student Union team is made up of a Women’s Officer, Gender and Sexuality Officers, Welfare Officers and Activities Officers to name a few. As well as overseeing societies and organising events, the SU’s main job involves looking after student welfare and ensuring their views are being represented.

The school doesn’t currently have any accommodation for their students to stay in. However, there is a small selection of rooms allocated at the University of London Intercollegiate Halls for you. Halls vary from shared bathroom facilities to private en-suite bathrooms.

There is also accommodation available at Clandon House in North Finchley, which is a 30-minute bus ride away from the school. Flats are self-catered, and include a washing machine, a fully equipped kitchen and internet access.

Information on privately owned flats can also be found on the Central website, ideal if you are looking for somewhere in a particular location or are wanting to find somewhere to share with friends.

The school boasts industry-standard equipment and software throughout, including a recording room with an attached studio, a 234 seat theatre and twenty one onsite practice rooms varying in features to accommodate music practice and movement based workshops. There are also numerous rehearsal rooms, along with a café bar and canteen.

Other state-of-the-art facilities comprise a 100 seat performance space, an 80 seat studio, sound and editing suites, technical drawing rooms, workshops for scenery, props and design as well as two costume workshops, including a large costume store and dye room.

Royal Central is currently undergoing redevelopment of old studio spaces to create a brand new technically advanced building ready to produce and nurture the next generation of theatre practitioners. The building, due to be completed ready for October 2018, will house a theatre, specialised rehearsal space as well as sound studios.

As well as the main campus in Swiss Cottage, Central has recently acquired, Central Bankside. Located just behind Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s South Bank. Central Bankside hosts a series of 4 rehearsal rooms.  

You will also have access to the library which boasts an extensive specialist collection of books and journals, along with feature films, musical theatres CDs and performance DVDs. You will also have access to over three million books at the Senate House Library.

Studying in London (known as the theatre capital of the world) means you are 10 minutes away from the West End via public transport, while the likes of Roundhouse and Hampstead Theatre will be on your doorstep, giving you plenty of opportunities to gain additional work experience while at the school.

Close to the campus, you will find Camden Market, which overlooks Regents Canal and sells alternative bric a brac, clothing and street food.

You can also take a walk around one of the many green areas in the borough, including Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Regents Park, while plenty of shops, cafes and museums will shelter you from the cold and rain.

Around the city, you will find world famous galleries, underground cinemas, popular live music venues such as KOKO, the O2 and Brixton Academy, while rooftop bars, underground clubs and riverside restaurants will make it delightfully difficult to decide where to go in the evenings.

The Student Union offers a wide range of clubs and societies for you to take part in but if nothing takes your fancy, the SU team are happy to help you set your own one up. Central is also part of University of London and as a result students also have access to clubs and societies organised by Student Central.

Central offers a wide range of support to students at the school through the Student Advice Service. There you will be able to get help with finding accommodation, seek advice on managing your finances and talk to someone about being referred to a counsellor. International students will also be able to find information on visas and language support, while students with learning differences or additional needs will be offered one-to-one study support, along with a mentoring service.

UK/EU students: £4, 432 - £17, 167

International students: £5,724 - £19,468

There are various scholarships and bursaries available for students studying at the school. To see the full list, head to Central’s website. Here are just a few of them:

Andrew Stewart and Judi Dench Scholarship

£4,500 is available to two students studying the BA or MA Acting programme, while £4,000 is available for one student studying the BA or MA Acting programme. Applicants can apply for the financial award, demonstrating their financial need and their commitment to the course.

Embassy Postgraduate Scholarship
£2,000 - £5,000 is awarded to students demonstrating a promising ability in their application and interview/ audition when applying for a postgraduate degree.

Sky Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
Eligible for three students with disabilities to help cover part of your tuition fees and/ or living costs.

The Hall School Scholarship
£9,000 is awarded to one student studying on the MA Applied Theatre on account of a strong application process.

Julia Wilson – Dickenson in Memoriam Scholarship
£3,500 is awarded to students demonstrating a financial need and commitment to the course.

Harold Pinter Scholarship
£5,000 is eligible to one student interested in studying on the MA/MFA Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media programme, who may be unable to undertake it due to financial hardship.

Acting
You will be able to choose between studying Classical or Contemporary Acting and courses are designed for those with previous acting experience.

The programmes are industry focused, and graduates find work across all performing arts platforms, on television shows such as Downton Abbey and Criminal Justice, on films including The Hour and performing on stage all around the world, including in New York, Amsterdam and Sydney.

Music Theatre
You will develop your performance techniques and receive training in all areas of acting, singing and dance. Graduates have gone on to find work in various exciting pathways, including performing at the West End in the Lion King, The Book of Mormon and Chicago, acting on popular TV shows like Hollyoaks and appearing in films such as Skyfall.

Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media

Graduates from the MA (Hons) Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media programme have gone on to win prestigious awards, including The Writers’ Guild Award, Evening Standard Theatre Award and the Harold Pinter Playwrights’ Award. You will receive vocational training in writing drama for a broad range of media, including television, radio and theatre.

Students wishing to study at postgraduate level will need to have either previous professional experience, training or a degree in a related subject. You will also need to attend an audition and/ or interview

To find out the full details of entry requirements and the application process to Central please head to Central’s website and the relevant course page.

Central also offers a number of international auditions and interviews for all of its courses. You can find out more information through their Performances and Events page.

Research students will be able to study for a MPhil or a PHD. Studying in London will see you benefit from extensive learning material at the public libraries across the city. You will receive full support from a supervisor during your time at the school, along with the support of a thriving research community regarded as world leading through the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Annual conferences are organised to inform you of the latest research methods, as well as giving you the opportunity to engage with other students and researchers.

Similar to undergraduate degrees, taught postgraduate courses will involve training workshops and classes, led by experienced and dedicated teachers in small groups. You will work on briefs, undertake work placements and collaborate with industry partners. There will be plenty of creative opportunities for you to get involved in and showcase your talents, along with guest talks from directors, producers, actors and playwrights.  

You will be assessed through a range of research projects, coursework and performances, and you will submit a dissertation or final project towards the last few months of your degree.

Currently, there are no distance courses taught at the school.