The Oxford School of Drama

1. How do I apply?
2. When is the closing date for applications?
3. Do you hold Open Days?
4. What are the entry requirements?
5. What are the age limits for your courses?
6. Can you tell me about the audition process?
7. Why do you offer a National Diploma or Certificate qualification rather than a BA in Acting?
8. What support can you give people with disabilities?
9. Do you accept applicants from overseas?
10. How much do your courses cost?
11. Is funding available for your courses?
12. I’m an overseas student: am I eligible for funding?
13. Do you run part-time summer, evening or weekend courses?
14. Can I have some information on accommodation?
15. Do you provide transport to the School?
16. I'm a non-EU student. Can I apply?

How do I apply?

You apply direct to us (not through UCAS) using our enrolment form which can be downloaded from the How to Apply page on this website. For a hard copy, please contact us by email on info@oxforddrama.ac.uk or by telephone on 01993 812883.

When is the closing date for applications?

The closing date for entry in September 2010 is 31 May 2010.

Do you hold Open Days?

The School will have two open days this academic year.  One will take place in Autumn 2009 and the other in Spring 2010.  If you would like further information about these, please contact us either by telephone on 01993 812883 or by email at info@oxforddrama.ac.uk with your name, address and a contact telephone number.

What are the entry requirements?

There are no academic requirements for any of our courses. Entry is by audition only.

What are the age limits for your courses?

For the Foundation courses you must be aged 17 or over; for the Three Year Course you must be aged 18 or over; and for the One Year Course you must be aged 21 or over. There is no upper age limit.

Can you tell me about the audition process?

Auditions begin at the end of October and continue until around June the following year. All applicants are invited to audition. For acting courses, the first-round audition consists of a movement workshop and an individual audition for which you will need to prepare two short speeches – one from Elizabethan or Jacobean drama (eg. Shakspeare, Jonson etc) and one a contrasting modern piece post-1950. Neither should be more than one and a half minutes long.  For  the Musical Theatre Foundation Course you need to prepare two contrasting musical theatre songs and one modern piece post-1950.  One of your songs must have been written before 1965.  Songs must be memorised and you must bring a copy of your music written in the right key.  A pianist will be provided.  Your monologue should last no more than one and a half minutes.

After your first audition you can expect to be informed of the panel’s decision within a week. If you have been successful, you will be invited to the next available recall audition. For the Three Year and One Year courses, you will normally come to at least two auditions before being offered a place, but it could be three, and we may ask you to be seen by a Voice or Movement Tutor.

The cut-off point for accepting your place at a Conference of Drama Schools (CDS) school is set by the CDS, and is usually 1st July each year. Among other things, the CDS monitors the accredited drama schools so that any one candidate cannot accept a place at more than one school.

Why do you offer a National Diploma or Certificate qualification rather than a BA in Acting?

We have decided not to run degree courses because we believe in the importance of providing high quality vocational training to a small number of students. Our focus is on training actors to work in the industry, rather than training students to get degrees.

Nevertheless, we understand that our students want recognition of their achievements in the form of a national qualification, so our Three Year Course has been certified Level 6 on the Qualifications Framework (equivalent to a BA Honours degree), and our One Year Course is Level 5 (equivalent to a BA ordinary degree).

What support can you give people with disabilities?

We welcome applications from (and, more importantly, have a track record in offering places to) people with disabilities. We have taken specialist advice on our audition process, and it aims to be flexible enough to allow you to demonstrate your abilities in alternative ways if necessary. Our audition tutors have undertaken Disability Equality Training, as have our key course tutors and administrative staff. We would be happy for you to visit the School prior to your audition to assess the suitability of our facilities for your individual needs.

If you are offered a Dance and Drama Award you can apply for additional funding from the Disabled Student Allowance to cover the cost of extra equipment and support that you require to access training at the School.

At present, we have level access to the student common rooms, the studio theatre and all teaching spaces except the Tutorial Room and Music Room. There are three disabled toilets on site.

Do you accept applicants from overseas?

Yes. Overseas students may do their first audition by video (VHS). However, if you are recalled, you would be required to attend the recall audition at the School. If, as an overseas student, you wish to pay your audition fee by bank account transfer, please contact us for the relevant details.

How much do your courses cost?

Is funding available for your courses?

Both the One Year and Three Year courses are part of the Government’s Dance and Drama Awards (DADA) scheme. Students accepted onto these courses are able to apply for a number of DADA scholarships. If you receive a DADA, you have to pay a maximum of £1,275 per year (in 2009/10) for your training. The School has a very high proportion of DADA scholarships.

DADA students can also get a grant to help with living costs. This is not a loan and does not have to be repaid. Details of this are in our prospectus, or go to our Funding page.

I’m an overseas student: am I eligible for funding?

Dance and Drama Awards (DADAs) are available to EU students who fulfil the following criteria:

1. you have been ordinarily resident in the EU throughout the three year period preceding the first day of the course
2. your residence in the EU during these years was not wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education

Non-EU students may be eligible for grants from their home country.

Do you run part-time summer, evening or weekend courses?

No.

Can I have some information on accommodation?

All of our students live either in central Oxford (just 8 miles from the School) or in nearby villages. Some choose to lodge with a local family, and the School will facilitate this. Others prefer to rent privately.

Do you provide transport to the School?

Transport to and from the School is provided at a subsidised rate.

I'm a non-EU student.  Can I apply?

The visa requirements for non-EU students coming to study in the UK changed in March 2009.  See the UK Border Agency website for the most up-to-date information: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

The Oxford School of Drama is registered with the UK Border Agency as an approved sponsor for students on its One Year and Three Year courses.  However, it is not able to take non-EU students on its Foundation courses unless you have UK residency with indefinite leave to remain.

If you are a non-EU student who is accepted onto the Three Year or One Year Course, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for entry into the UK.  You should apply for the General Student visa under Tier 4 regulations.  The School will provide the appropriate proof of your student status so that you can make your visa application.  Please be aware that all visa rules are subject to change, and you must check the UK Border Agency website for current information.