Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
One of the UK's most respected regional drama schools with deep theatrical roots
Overview
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is one of the UK's leading drama schools, affiliated with the historic Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Founded in 1946, it offers rigorous professional training in acting, directing, and production.
The three-year professional acting course combines classical and contemporary training with extensive practical performance experience. Students benefit from the school's close relationship with the Bristol Old Vic, one of England's oldest working theatres.
How It Works
Located outside London, Bristol Old Vic offers a focused training environment without the distractions of the capital. The school's alumni include Daniel Day-Lewis, Olivia Colman, and many other award-winning performers.
Tuition fees are comparable to other top UK drama schools, and financial support is available. The school's smaller cohorts mean students receive significant individual attention from faculty.
Who Uses It
Bristol Old Vic is an outstanding choice for actors who want intensive, hands-on training in a supportive environment with strong professional connections. Its reputation is on par with London-based schools. The school's relationship with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre means students regularly interact with professional productions and working actors, creating a seamless bridge between training and the profession. Bristol's vibrant arts scene, including multiple theatres, an active independent film community, and the annual Bristol Film Festival, enriches the training experience beyond the classroom.
Pricing & Plans
Tuition for the three-year professional acting course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is approximately £9,250 per year for UK students, in line with the standard fee cap, and approximately £18,500 per year for international students. The two-year MA in Professional Acting carries separate fee structures, with fees varying for domestic and international students. Bristol Old Vic offers scholarships, bursaries, and hardship funds to support students from all financial backgrounds, and the school is committed to ensuring talented applicants are not deterred by cost. UK students can access standard student loan arrangements, making the financial commitment manageable through government-backed repayment plans. Living costs in Bristol are notably lower than London, which is a significant practical advantage, with accommodation, food, and transport costs substantially more affordable than in the capital. Compared to London-based conservatoires charging similar or higher tuition, Bristol Old Vic offers comparable quality training with meaningfully lower overall expenses. Short courses and summer programs are also available at more accessible price points for actors exploring training options.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Bristol Old Vic's close relationship with the historic Bristol Old Vic Theatre provides students with unparalleled access to a working professional theatre, including opportunities to observe rehearsals, interact with visiting actors, and perform in the theatre's spaces. The school's location outside London creates a focused, distraction-free training environment where students can immerse themselves fully in their development without the competing pressures of the capital. Smaller cohort sizes mean each student receives substantial individual attention from faculty, allowing training to be tailored to each actor's specific strengths and areas for growth. The alumni network is extraordinary for a school of its size, with graduates including Daniel Day-Lewis, Olivia Colman, Gene Wilder, and many other internationally acclaimed performers. Bristol's lower cost of living compared to London means students can focus more on their training and less on financial stress, which directly benefits the quality of their work. The school's industry showcase is well attended by London-based agents despite the geographic distance, reflecting the genuine respect Bristol Old Vic commands in the profession.
What Could Be Better
The location outside London means students have less immediate access to the West End, Soho casting offices, and the concentration of industry networking events that London-based schools offer. While the showcase brings agents to Bristol, day-to-day industry exposure is more limited than at schools situated in the heart of the UK entertainment capital. The smaller cohort size, while allowing individualized attention, also means a smaller peer group, which some students find socially limiting compared to the larger communities at schools like Central or Guildhall. Bristol's theatre scene, while vibrant, is not as extensive as London's, offering fewer opportunities for students to see a wide range of professional work during their training. International students pay substantial fees and may find that Bristol Old Vic's name, while highly respected within the UK industry, carries less immediate recognition in overseas markets compared to RADA or LAMDA. The school's strong emphasis on theatre-based training may feel less suited to actors whose primary ambition is screen work, though camera technique is included in the curriculum.
Our Recommendation
We highly recommend Bristol Old Vic for actors who want training of the highest caliber in a supportive, focused environment without the intensity and expense of London life. If you are someone who thrives in smaller, close-knit communities where you are known individually by faculty and peers, Bristol Old Vic's intimate setting will suit you exceptionally well. Actors who feel they need to be in London for career networking and daily industry exposure may prefer RADA, LAMDA, or Central, though Bristol Old Vic's showcase effectively bridges the geographic gap for agent meetings. If cost is a consideration, the combination of excellent training and significantly lower Bristol living expenses makes this school an exceptionally strong value proposition. International students should consider Bristol Old Vic as a serious alternative to the London schools, particularly if the lower overall cost is a meaningful factor in their decision. For actors interested in classical and contemporary theatre as their primary career focus, Bristol Old Vic's direct connection to a working theatre makes it arguably the most practically oriented of all the top UK drama schools.
Pro Tips
Research the school's training philosophy before auditioning by attending open days and watching student performances online, as Bristol Old Vic has a distinctive approach that values individuality and ensemble collaboration. Choose audition material that reveals your personality and creative curiosity rather than relying on overly familiar or technically safe choices, because the school seeks actors with distinctive points of view. If accepted, embrace the Bristol location fully by engaging with the city's thriving arts scene, attending productions at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre, the Tobacco Factory, and the wide range of fringe venues throughout the city. Take advantage of the smaller cohort by building deep creative relationships with every member of your year group, as the trust developed through intensive ensemble work is central to the school's training methodology. Maintain connections with the London industry by attending showcases, agent meetings, and professional events in the capital, using the relatively short train journey between Bristol and London to your advantage. After graduation, leverage the powerful alumni network by reaching out to former students who are working in areas that interest you, as Bristol Old Vic graduates are known for supporting one another throughout their careers.