Theatre, Performing Arts Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Theatre, Performing Arts Studies in The United Kingdom

Theatre and performing arts in the United Kingdom are studied in two different settings. Universities teach drama, theatre and performance as academic degrees that combine practical work with history and theory. Conservatoires and drama schools, some of them part of a university, train actors and other performers in an intensive, practical way and select their students by audition. This directory lists 20 schools in the UK that teach theatre and performing arts, spread over cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Brighton and Canterbury.

How the degree is organised

The usual qualification is a BA with honours that takes three years of full-time study in England. On the official framework, a bachelor's degree with honours is a level 6 qualification. In Scotland, degree-level study usually requires four years.

The content differs a good deal from one course to another, as these examples from the directory show:

• Theatre and performance degrees: the Theatre and Performing BA Hons at Lancaster University (UCAS code W440) lasts three years. The university states that most of the learning is practical and that students often work in professional venues, including the Nuffield Theatre on its campus.
• Actor training within a university: the BA (Hons) Acting at the University of Surrey (W410) is taught by staff of the Guildford School of Acting. The University of Northampton teaches a three-year BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen (W410), with a four-year version that includes a foundation year.
• Broad performing arts degrees: at the University of Sunderland, students of the three-year Performing Arts degree (W430) shape their studies between dance, drama and musical theatre.
• Combined degrees: at Liverpool Hope University, Drama is only available as a Combined Honours degree, studied for three years together with a second subject.

Conservatoires and drama schools

UCAS describes conservatoires as providers of performance-based higher education, including music, drama, screen and production courses, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Applications to them are made through a separate scheme, UCAS Conservatoires, and not through the main undergraduate application. The Federation of Drama Schools brings together established conservatoire training providers and publishes information on choosing a school, auditions and funding. Students who want vocational training as an actor should compare these schools with the university degrees above.

Admission, auditions and language

Applications for university degrees go through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. For 2027 entry the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time. UCAS notes that many course providers accept international qualifications equivalent to UK requirements.

Grades are only part of the selection for practical courses. Surrey makes its offers after a successful audition and interview and notes that a non-refundable audition fee is usually charged. Northampton asks candidates to perform two monologues, one of them classical, and accepts virtual auditions from applicants who cannot attend in person. Sunderland asks for an audition piece lasting one minute, followed by an informal interview. Lancaster's typical A-level offer is BBB and treats theatre, drama, dance or performing arts as desirable but not compulsory subjects.

Applicants whose first language is not English need a language certificate. Lancaster and Surrey ask for IELTS 6.5 overall and Liverpool Hope for 6.0. For the Student visa, study at degree level requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2. Spoken English matters more here than in most subjects, because assessment is based on performance.

Fees and visa

Fees depend on fee status. Published international fees per year are £26,300 at Lancaster (2027-28), £25,300 at Surrey (September 2027 start), £16,000 at Liverpool Hope (2027-28), £17,500 at Sunderland and £17,000 at Northampton (both 2026-27). Home students pay £10,050 at Lancaster and Surrey in 2027-28.

International students normally need a Student visa. According to GOV.UK (checked in October 2026), the applicant needs a place offered by a licensed student sponsor, the application costs £558 from outside the UK, and the applicant must show £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months. After the degree, the Graduate visa lasts 2 years if the application is made on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months from 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to audition to study theatre in the UK?

For acting and performing arts courses, usually yes: Surrey, Northampton and Sunderland all hold auditions. Academic theatre degrees may select on grades and the application alone; each course page states its selection process.

How long does a theatre or acting degree take?

Three years full time at the English universities cited here. A foundation year, as at Northampton, adds one year, and degrees in Scotland usually take four years.

What is the difference between a university and a conservatoire?

UCAS describes conservatoires as providers of performance-based higher education, with their own application scheme, UCAS Conservatoires. University drama degrees combine practice with academic study and are applied for through the main UCAS scheme.

How much does it cost for international students?

The universities cited here publish international fees between £16,000 and £26,300 per year, depending on the university and the year of entry.