RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)

The actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1904 at His Majesty's Theatre, in London's West End. A year later the academy relocated to Gower Street, and its royal charter followed in 1920. RADA offers intensive vocational conservatoire training, preparing actors as well as the designers, stage managers and technical specialists employed across theatre, film, television and radio. King's College London validates its degrees, and links also exist with Birkbeck, University of London.

Its base is central London: the principal building stands on Gower Street, the theatres are on Malet Street and additional studios are on Chenies Street. Student productions are staged in five performance spaces, among them the George Bernard Shaw Theatre and the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre. At undergraduate level, the three-year BA (Hons) in Acting takes only about 28 students a year, and the Foundation Degree in Technical Theatre and Stage Management, a two-year course, can be followed by an optional BA (Hons) progression year. The MA Theatre Lab is among its postgraduate options, and foundation and short courses are also offered. King Charles III is RADA's Royal Patron.

Information for International Students

RADA holds a Student sponsor licence and will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies after receiving all the documents it requires. Applicants can consult the academy's written visa guidance and approach the admissions team for advice. Any student who is not exempt needs to sit a Secure English Language Test as part of the visa application. Undergraduate courses have set English at CEFR level B2, and certain postgraduate programmes demand a higher standard.

Overseas candidates for the BA (Hons) in Acting go through the same four stages as UK applicants: a pair of self-tape audition rounds, a three-hour workshop attended in person, and a final full-day workshop at RADA in London. Applicants must have turned 18 by the time the course starts. International candidates are encouraged to apply early, allowing enough time to arrange travel should they progress to the final stage. UK government student loans are closed to international students, who in most cases also cannot receive RADA scholarships, and US Federal Loans cannot be used for RADA courses. The Graduate Route may be open to those graduating from eligible degree programmes.