Short Courses & Summer Schools

We offer a wide range of short courses across Music, Drama, Production Arts and Other Art Forms. Whether you’re thinking about learning something completely new, exploring a hobby or passion, or just brushing up on existing skills, we have something for you.

Various short course participants at Guildhall

Intro text

Courses are led by experienced Guildhall School teachers and industry-leading guest tutors, offering an insight into Guildhall’s world-class learning environment in a fun and supportive setting.

Our in-person Short Courses take place across the School’s campus in central London, which includes state-of-the-art venue Milton Court and our iconic Silk Street building. Alternatively, you can join us from wherever you are in the world with our online Short Courses.

Find out more about our programme below.

Discover our programme

View our programme of courses across Drama, Music, Production Arts and Other Art Forms, including courses in association with the Barbican.

Group improvisation class, 4 women, 1 man

Drama

Boy playing bass guitar, smiling

Music

Woman holding plaster cast of face

Production Arts

3 women sitting at desk laughing

Other Art Forms

Find a Short Course that's perfect for you

Explore our full programme of Short Courses & Summer Schools
Milton Court box office exterior on Silk Street
Man and woman on opposite sides of desk with laptops and books

Short Courses FAQs

Got a question? Find the answer in our Short Courses FAQs
People walking and chatting in Guildhall Silk Street foyer

Participation Bursaries

Participation Bursaries provide financial support to those living in low-income households, enabling participation in selected Short Courses to cover the course costs. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of conservatoire-style training and to find out what it is like to study at Guildhall School.
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Join our Mailing List

Be the first to hear about future dates and new courses.
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Contact us

Get in touch with the Short Courses Team.
paved courtyard with bikes, benches and trees, surrounded by yellow brick buildings

Accommodation for Short Courses

Find out more about accommodation for selected summer schools.
glass sided office building with name Milton Court

Terms & Conditions

Read all terms and conditions for Guildhall Short Courses and Summer Schools.
Woman on stage holding microphone smiling and looking down at music on stand

View our Brochure

Find out more about our Short Courses & Summer Schools from April - August 2022, by downloading or viewing our 2022 Brochure.

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What our participants think...

On a stage. Man with back to camera looks at woman, another man is in the background
This course has literally changed my life!
– Nish, Acting Summer School for ages 18+, 2021
a woman writes at a laptop, a woman behind her is writing by hand
The chance to hear the approach to the art of a leading writer was inspirational and it was lovely to meet such a diverse range of thoughtful people.
– Kate, Stage or Screen, 2021
Woman in an art workshop lines up a drawing
This might have been the best short course I have ever done.
– Miriam, Scenic Art, 2021
From above, girl wearing headphones using computer keyboard and mouse with a MIDI keyboard in front of her
Utterly brilliant. Many courses purely focus on process, whereas the Guildhall course covers the process but is focussed on being more musical. I found it far more inspirational and the quality & quantity of knowledge I've gained in a week is amazing.
– Crispin, Music Production in Logic Pro X: Online, 2021
man leaning over to play piano with man seated playing bass guitar
Wonderful experience. Absolutely astounding standard of teaching.
– Zee, Jazz & Rock Week, 2021
Boy and girl sit on floor talking
I found the course to be an incredible experience that has helped me to develop as an actress. All of the sessions were extremely well led and created a safe space for people to experiment and grow. I feel incredibly lucky to have had this amazing experience and cannot recommend it highly enough.
– Acting Summer School for ages 16–17, 2021
Woman writing at a desk, other people behind her writing at desks
You will learn so much about understanding what it is you want to achieve, and it will really help you to structure the plans you have for the future in order to achieve success!
– A Beginner's Guide to Marketing & PR in the Creative Industries, Spring 2021
A woman holding a spotlight
The equipment and venues we had access to were way beyond my expectations
– Stage Lighting Skills
three women at a desk writing, one on a laptop, two by hand
Tom and Maddie were brilliant, supportive mentors. I felt like I learnt so much and grew in confidence.
– Creative Writing for Performance, 2020
a teenage girl smiles, she is seated at a piano, another girl is in the background at a piano
I would study with Shelagh again in a hot minute.
– Aural Skills Beyond Grade 5 (online), 2020
An aerial shot of a courtyard in the Barbican, with trees and bushes in planters and buildings behind
Photo: Max Colson
Jon was fantastic - he is clearly well-versed with all aspects of his subject and his passion and enthusiasm shone through on every session. I particularly liked the sensitive way Jon handled some seemingly controversial themes in this subject. It was also wonderful to hear about architectural traits from around the world. Thank you Jon!
– A Brief History of Brutalism at the Barbican, Spring 2021
Woman in an art workshop lines up a drawing
Vanessa was brilliant. She gave me so much confidence having never really been a painter and her knowledge is exceptional
– Ashleigh, Scenic Art, 2021
Woman smiling and writing with a water bottle on desk. Mirror behind her reflecting two men.
It was genuinely inspiring! I was thinking that it was some of the best teaching I have ever received. Thank you to the tutor Paul Whitmarsh who was so knowledgable but also very patient
– Helen, Advanced Music Theory, 2021
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