General information about applying for our undergraduate courses and the audition process.
Central provided me with an environment that gave me the confidence and permission to go for something I’d always really wanted. It was hard work but I loved the level and the intensity of the training. It’s a place where you can play around and make mistakes and grow. It felt unique and exciting and unlike anything I’d experienced
Joe Alwyn
Graduated 2015, first professional job was the title role in Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
Central didn’t force-feed me about what to be... they gave me infinite options so that I could choose which ones to take on board and build my craft. Everyone at drama school had talent. At Central you are given time and the tools so you can improve your skill. With skill your talent can shine.
Nonso Anozie
Graduated in 2002, recent film credits include Cinderella, Pan, and television credits include Game Of Thrones, Dracula and Doctor Who.
My time at Central gave me the essential training and knowledge I needed to develop as an actor at the start of my career. The course offers a wide variety of teaching that nurtures and liberates your creativity. I have also gained a huge support network that I know will always be there, inside and outside of Central.
Lindsey Campbell
Graduated 2013, first professional London stage debut in The Harvest at the Soho Theatre and played the lead in RIGHT NOW at the Bush Theatre.
The core teachers inspire and can reveal parts of yourself that you might not know existed. The teachers’ expertise is sacred and If you are lucky enough to be in a creative environment with them, give all of yourself to it, but never lose who you are. It all ultimately comes from within you.
Andrew Garfield
Graduated in 2004, film credits include The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Silence and Hacksaw Ridge. Theatre credits include Angels In America at The National Theatre.
General information about applying for our undergraduate courses and the audition process.
We do not hold open days for our Acting courses - instead a mini open day is included in our auditions process.
Information for home, EU, and non-EU students.
Find out how your course will be delivered.
Information on studying and living in London for students from outside the UK.
Discover Central's performance, rehearsal, workshop, study and social spaces on our 360 degree virtual tour.
Download our Prospectus to find out more.
Come and talk to us at an exhibition near you to learn more about our courses, scholarships and bursaries, and life at Central.
Visit Central and watch BA Acting student show, from November to June each year.
Follow the BA Acting course on Twitter for behind the scenes content.
3 years full-time, October start
Institution C35, Course W410, option AP
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Acting
The BA (Hons) Acting at Central:
The course has four key principles:
Self-discovery – we encourage you to investigate and interrogate your world, challenging your own habits and preconceptions and opening yourself to the journey of the training, while learning to accept uncertainty and failure as part of the process of change and growth, and making curiosity, originality and artistic courage the cornerstones of your professional and artistic life.
Artistry – we offer you the skills you need to build your craft as an actor, so that your imagination and creativity can find expression in truthful characterisation and in the telling of complex and profound stories that offer insights into our world and the human condition.
Empowerment – within the safety of the creative space and the integrity of the acting ensemble, we promote the honest exchange of thoughts and ideas, the sharing of creative inspiration and the generosity of spirit which should always characterise a true actor.
Tradition and innovation – intrinsic to this course is a commitment to studying longstanding theories and practices while welcoming innovation and new vision.
BA (Hons) Acting courses - Acting, Acting (CDT) and Acting (Musical Theatre)
An audition at Central costs £55, however many UK-based applicants may be eligible for a free audition. In addition to students engaged through Central’s Outreach work as part of its Access Agreement, the school also provides free auditions to applicants based in England who may face barriers in accessing conservatoire training. Last year, we awarded over 1,200 free audition vouchers which enabled more applicants to attend auditions and access specialist drama training.
Find out if you qualify for a free audition.
Learn more about what is included in the BA (Hons) Acting audition process
Discovery – freeing and discovering. In your first year, an environment of active learning is carefully nurtured:
Mastery – expanding form and meaning. This year builds on core training:
Independence – applying the craft of acting. This year focuses exclusively on the ‘industry-ready’ actor:
2 A Levels at C, 3 GCSEs at C, and selection by audition.
Normal offers may be higher and depend upon expected grades and audition performance. Exceptional applicants who do not meet this requirement, but demonstrate appropriate potential, may be accepted.
This is an intensive professional training course and must be followed in its entirety.
Candidates must be eligible to satisfy the general admissions requirements. Admission will be based on the reasonable expectation that you have the potential to complete and contribute positively to the programme and that you would benefit from honours study. There is no alternative to selection by audition.
Selection for audition will normally depend on you meeting, or being predicted to meet, minimum entry requirements, and on written references and demonstration of the following in the UCAS written statement:
In the absence of formal qualifications, an indication of academic potential will be sought in your UCAS statement.
We particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented in higher education, such as students with disabilities and members of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Find out more information on Central’s commitment to equality and diversity.
Find out more about the audition process for our Acting, BA courses.
View the audition speech list, or request a copy by calling +44 (0)20 7722 8183.
Each year Central hosts a number of auditions outside of the UK, with a team of tutors from Central travelling to meet applicants. The international auditions are designed to replicate the London-based audition experience in every aspect (other than a tour of our site!). See our Event Finder for listings of upcoming audition locations and dates.
Visit the International Students section to view details of English language requirements for Central's courses.
The Acting course has strong and growing links with the industry.
Central employs professional directors from the second year, and invites a range of industry professionals to deliver talks and workshops on subjects from audition technique to rehearsing Shakespeare.
Recent guests include acclaimed directors Michael Grandage, Lindsay Posner and Max Stafford-Clark, and well-known actors such as James Purefoy and Kit Harington.
Students gain professional work while still on the course and there are regular visits by major theatre companies, such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Almeida Theatre and Out of Joint, who give talks and hold workshops.
Andrew Garfield (2004) BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee. Credits include The Amazing Spider-Man and The Social Network.
Cush Jumbo (2006) Evening Standard Award winner and Olivier nominee. Credits include Josephine and I and Julius Caesar.
Jack Donnelly (2007) starred in Atlantis, BBC fantasy drama.
Tracy Ifeachor (2007) appeared with John Malkovich in Crossbones.
Kit Harington (2008) Actor of the Year at the Young Hollywood Awards 2013. Credits include Game Of Thrones, Pompeii, Spooks, and The Greater Good.
Paula Lane (2008) plays Kylie Platt on Coronation Street (ITV).
Morgane Polanski (2014) plays Princess Gisla in Vikings, series 3 for the History Channel.
Recent BA (Hons) Acting graduate successes include:
View profiles of the academic staff who teach on this course. Click on each staff member to find out more about them.
by Geoffrey Colman, Head of Acting
Drawing upon multiple performance theories, rather than subscribing to a particular doctrine or method, Central actors have always adopted a pragmatic approach to their training.
The three specialist undergraduate acting courses: Acting, Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre (CDT) and Acting Musical Theatre (MT), reflect this eclecticism and celebrate the many and varied techniques available to the actor wanting to work in theatre, television, film and radio.
These courses exist within a thriving conservatoire environment – home to a dynamic range of related performance disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Training is contextualised alongside relevant professional advice and is structured in such a way as to gradually equip you with a thorough understanding of the industry.
Performances by Acting alumni have long been recognised by major awards such as the BAFTAs, Oscars, Golden Globes, Olivier Awards, Tony Awards, London Evening Standard Theatre Awards and The Sunday Times/ National Theatre Ian Charleson Awards. Most recently alumni have been awarded a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, MTV Movie Award for Best Hero, British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor, Empire Award for Best Actor, Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance, San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble Performance, Ariel Award for Best Actor and London Evening Standard Theatre Awards Emerging Talent.
If you would like to attend an audition (held in London or internationally) check the audition requirement section for further details on how to apply. Good luck!
Geoffrey Colman, Head of Acting
Find out more about our current BA Acting students.
