How and when to apply direct

Please note that applications for postgraduate taught courses (ie. Masters degrees) at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama are not made via UCAS. All applications for postgraduate taught courses must be made direct to the School via our online application portal.

No institution code or campus code is required for postgraduate applications. Similarly, course codes are not required as you may search for courses by name, or simply use the ‘apply’ button on each page.

If you make a mistake or have difficulties with the form or your application on our system, please use the ‘Contact Us’ link at the bottom of the page (or the contact details above).

Applicants for the MA Acting programme will be considered for both the Classical and Contemporary strands from a single application.

Please note that MA Acting for Screen and MA Musical Theatre (course subject to validation) are separate programmes each with a separate panel, and as such requires a separate application and audition process.

If you apply for the full-time version of a programme, and later decide you would prefer to switch to part-time (or vice-versa), please let the Admissions team know and they will amend your application. Please note that this won’t always be possible, as not all programmes have part-time strands.

Similarly, if you apply for the MFA version of a programme, and later decide you would prefer to switch to the MA (or vice-versa), please let the Admissions team know and they will amend your application. Again, please note that this won’t always be possible, as not all programmes have MFA strands, and requirements between MA and MFA may differ.

Please note also that switching strands once you have received an offer may not always be possible.

Postgraduate applications will not be considered if the following documents have not been uploaded at the time of application (or sent in shortly afterwards):

Please note that should you be made an offer and no reference has been submitted, a satisfactory reference will form part of your offer conditions. 

If you are an overseas applicant, or a British citizen with dual nationality, you are encouraged to upload a scan or photo of your passports to expedite fee status assessment in the case you are made an offer.

Overseas and EU students who have settled or pre-settled status in the UK are also encouraged to upload a copy of their share code, if possible, to prove their immigration status. A share code can be obtained from the UK government website.

Applications will usually open on or around 10 October each year – for entry in the following September/October.

Most postgraduate programmes at Central consider applications throughout the year, right up to registration in the autumn, though programmes will close to new applications once full. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as you feel ready.

Some performance courses – such as MA Acting for Screen – do close their first round applications in May. Recall auditions will continue beyond this date. Please check individual course pages for full information.

Please also note the following important points:

• There is no application fee for postgraduate programmes, however there is an audition fee for performance programmes such as MA Acting (Classical and Contemporary), MA Acting for Screen, and MA Music Theatre.
• Details on materials you will be required to submit prior to interview are outlined on individual course pages under the ‘Entry Requirements and Admissions’ heading – and will also be shared with you via email once you book an interview.
• You may apply for up to three postgraduate programmes at any one time at Central – this is to support applicants in managing multiple interview/audition requirements.

If you already applied to a programme and did not receive an offer, you will not be able to submit another application for the same course strand in the same academic year.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a process that can exceptionally allow a student to join a programme at an advanced stage and be given credit for section(s) of the course they have missed, based on previous learning they have completed.

The first stage in making an application for APL is by making a formal application for the course, noting in your personal statement that you are looking for advanced entry. Additional evidence will later be requested by the Admissions Team to support this.

Please read and familiarise yourself with the Student Transfer Procedures before applying.

Please note: Certain MFA programmes and part-time MA programmes may not accept transfer applications – you must apply and interview/audition to join the first year in the usual way.

Please read and familiarise yourself with the Student Transfer Procedures before applying to transfer within Central.

Please note: Certain MFA programmes may not accept transfer applications – you must apply and interview/audition to join the first year in the usual way.

Due to the ensemble nature of many of the courses at Central, and because the overall standard of applications often varies year on year, we are unable to grant requests for deferral other than in very limited circumstances.

You can read the School’s Deferred Entry Policy and contact us if you feel your circumstances meet the criteria to defer your place.

All applicants require at least one reference to be considered. If more than one is required, you will be notified.

The purpose of a reference is to gain a more rounded view of the applicant and their suitability for the course to which they are applying. For this reason, a referee will be someone who knows you well, such as a Personal Tutor, Head of Year or Careers Counsellor from your university, if you have recently studied an undergraduate degree.

Mature applicants are welcome to ask a senior colleague or supervisor who is able to comment on their suitability for higher level study.

Please ask your referee to complete the reference form below, and return it via email to admissions@cssd.ac.uk

Please ensure they clearly state within their reference:

• your full name (the name you used in your application)
• the course to which you are applying
• your six-digit Central ID number (this number will be on your application confirmation email)