BA Acting

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actors in the show Pod

Key information:

Art form:
Drama
Fees:
Application Fee: £37 GBP; Tuition Fees: See Fees section below
Deadline:
Apply by 4.30pm on 15 January 2025 for September 2025 entry
Level of study:
Undergraduate
Mode of study:
In-person

About the BA Acting

Innovative in structure and approach, our Acting programme supports students to connect with their own authentic selves. We are committed to the development of each student’s unique and individual practice.

Our Acting programme is constantly evolving to meet the demands of the 21st century, whilst maintaining a deep commitment to craft training.

We believe strongly in the power of the ensemble, with individual actors working together in a coordinated and complementary way, each contributing to a powerful shared outcome. We work in a collaborative atmosphere and encourage actors to connect with each other, society and the wider world.

We aim to develop actors who are tenacious and versatile, able to move with confidence between stage, screen, digital and audio platforms and classical, contemporary and experimental repertoire. There is a generous staff-student ratio and a high number of teaching hours.

During the programme, you will work with a diverse range of teachers and guest practitioners, all with working knowledge of the industry, exploring a broad range of practices and repertoire.

All practitioners are chosen for their particular experience and practice, but we work as a committed team with a common purpose. Together, we work alongside you as an individual (and in groups and productions) to help define, develop and articulate the practices which are most useful to you.

Programme Structure

Years 1 and 2

The first two years concentrate on acquiring fundamental skills and experience. Your time will be divided between class and project work. In the first two terms most of your time will be spent in classes, with more time on projects as the programme progresses.

Both class and project work focus on developing and integrating the following main areas of study:

Year 3

Year 3

By the third year you will have developed your own working processes. Most of your time will be spent rehearsing and performing to the public and to industry professionals in productions and showcases. You will work on a variety of productions of differing scale, style and genre. You will also have the opportunity to write and perform your own work, and a variety of bespoke showcase opportunities.

Preparing for the industry

In your final year, you will receive support and guidance on starting out in the industry, with regular talks and workshops by directors, agents, casting directors, tax advisers and Equity representatives. You will be mentored by actors currently working in the profession, and the programme provides a specialist Industry Consultant to assist you in the transition from training to professional life. Students who have the right to work in the UK are eligible for student membership of British Actors’ Equity, the actors’ trade union, and for full Equity membership on completing the training.

Cross School Collaboration 

Interdisciplinary collaboration is central to our approach at Guildhall School. We believe that collaboration is fundamental to 21st century artist training, and students in the Drama Department have regular opportunities to create work and share learning with their peers in Music and Production Arts. Through a range of regular initiatives, including undisciplined, the School’s cross-arts programme, students are encouraged and supported to create new collaborative performance projects with seed funding and free access to rehearsal and performance space.  

After training

Guildhall Acting graduates can be seen in a wide variety of roles across film, TV and theatre. Many alumni go on to use their training in other fields such as education, social care, law and design.. Find out more about out Acting alumni.

The Drama Department supports ongoing training by offering a range of alumni initiatives such as the Alumni Gym and a programme of responsive initiatives, such as play commissions, in association with the Innovation Department.

Programme Specification

See the full programme specifications, including module specifications and assessment criteria.

BA Acting Programme Specification 2023-24.pdf
cast on the set of Love and Information

Our facilities

Live productions take place in our three distinctive theatres, offering an exciting mix of industry-standard performance spaces to explore: Silk Street Theatre, a large versatile space; Milton Court Theatre, a proscenium arch theatre; and the intimate Milton Court Studio Theatre. In addition, we create productions made for digital platforms, screen and live-streaming.

Staff, Students and Alumni

Headshot of Anya Chalotra

Alumni

Our Acting Graduates include some of the most high-profile names in the business and a host of award-winners, in theatre, film and television.

Teacher and students kneeling on the floor during a class

Staff

Meet the full time and freelance staff working in our Drama department.