RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)
One of the most prestigious drama schools in the world, based in London
Overview
RADA is widely considered the pinnacle of actor training in the UK and one of the top drama schools globally. Founded in 1904, its alumni include Sir Anthony Hopkins, Alan Rickman, and many other legendary performers.
The school offers a rigorous three-year BA in Acting, along with foundation courses and short courses for various experience levels. The curriculum combines classical technique with contemporary practice, emphasizing voice, movement, and text work.
How It Works
Admission is extremely competitive, with thousands of applicants vying for approximately 28 places each year. The audition process involves multiple rounds, and international students are welcome to apply.
Tuition for the BA program is significant, though RADA offers scholarships and bursaries to ensure financial barriers do not prevent talented students from attending. Short courses range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.
Who Uses It
RADA is the gold standard for classical acting training in the UK. Graduates are immediately taken seriously by agents, casting directors, and theatre companies, making it an unparalleled launchpad for a professional career. The school's annual showcase, attended by virtually every major London agent, is one of the most anticipated events in the UK theatre calendar. RADA's influence extends globally, with alumni working at the highest levels on Broadway, in Hollywood, and in international theatre.
Pricing & Plans
Tuition for the three-year BA in Acting at RADA is approximately £9,250 per year for UK students, in line with the standard UK undergraduate fee cap, and around £19,800 per year for international students. The MA in Theatre program and other postgraduate offerings have separate fee structures, with international fees typically higher. RADA's short courses range from approximately £300 for weekend workshops to several thousand pounds for intensive multi-week programs, providing accessible entry points for actors who cannot commit to a full degree. The school is committed to financial accessibility and offers a comprehensive scholarship and bursary program, with the aim that no student should be turned away on financial grounds alone. Compared to equivalent US conservatory programs like Juilliard or Yale Drama, RADA's fees for domestic students are considerably lower thanks to the UK tuition fee system. International students face a more significant financial commitment, though RADA's scholarship offerings help offset costs for exceptional applicants. Living expenses in London add substantially to the overall cost, and prospective students should budget carefully for accommodation and transport.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
RADA's name recognition is unmatched in the UK drama school landscape, and a RADA degree carries immediate weight with agents, casting directors, and theatre companies worldwide. The quality of training is exceptional, with world-class faculty providing intensive instruction in voice, movement, text analysis, and screen technique across a rigorous three-year curriculum. The school's industry showcase is one of the most influential in the UK, with virtually every major London talent agency sending representatives to assess graduating students. RADA's alumni network is extraordinarily powerful, spanning generations of performers who work at the highest levels of the profession and often help open doors for newer graduates. The school's physical facilities, including the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, provide students with professional-grade performance spaces that prepare them for working in real theatre environments. RADA also offers continuing professional development through its short courses, allowing working actors to return for focused skill development throughout their careers.
What Could Be Better
The acceptance rate is extremely low, with roughly 28 places available from thousands of applicants, making rejection the statistically likely outcome for the vast majority of auditionees. The training is intensely demanding both physically and emotionally, with a highly structured schedule that leaves little time for outside work or commitments, which can be challenging for students who need to earn income. RADA's strong classical emphasis, while building an excellent technical foundation, may feel limiting to actors primarily interested in naturalistic screen work or experimental contemporary performance. The school's prestige can create unrealistic expectations among graduates, who may find that the post-graduation job market is competitive regardless of where they trained. London living costs are among the highest in the world, and even with scholarships covering tuition, students may struggle financially with accommodation, food, and transport expenses. The audition process itself requires significant investment of time and money, with multiple rounds that may involve travel to London, which disadvantages applicants from outside the southeast of England.
Our Recommendation
We strongly recommend RADA for actors who are deeply committed to intensive classical training and prepared for three of the most demanding but rewarding years of their lives. If you are passionate about text-based work, Shakespeare, and developing a comprehensive technical toolkit, RADA is without equal in the UK. Actors who are primarily interested in screen work may find programs at institutions like the National Film and Television School or intensive screen acting courses better suited to their goals. If you do not get into RADA, do not view it as a career-ending outcome, as LAMDA, Central, Guildhall, and Bristol Old Vic all produce exceptional graduates. International students should carefully weigh the higher fee structure against the genuine career benefits, which are most pronounced for those intending to build careers in the UK or international English-language theatre. If you are considering RADA's short courses as an alternative to the full degree, they provide excellent training but do not carry the same career-launching impact as the BA program.
Pro Tips
Prepare extensively for the audition by working with a coach who understands RADA's specific requirements and aesthetic preferences, as the audition panel is looking for raw talent combined with genuine intellectual engagement with the material. Choose audition speeches that genuinely excite and challenge you rather than trying to guess what the panel wants, because authenticity and personal connection to the text are valued above technical polish. If you are accepted, arrive on day one ready to work harder than you have ever worked before, and be open to having your existing habits and assumptions about acting fundamentally challenged. Build relationships with your cohort, as these are the people who will be your professional network for the rest of your career, and ensemble trust is central to RADA's training philosophy. Take full advantage of RADA's location in central London by seeing as much professional theatre as possible, since exposure to high-quality work is itself a crucial part of your education. After graduation, maintain your RADA connections by attending alumni events and staying in touch with faculty, as the school continues to support its graduates throughout their careers.