General information about applying for our postgraduate courses and the interview process.
The course played a vital role in expanding my knowledge. In facilitating an examination of my own practice and giving me an understanding of current issues, informing teaching and learning in vocational training and Higher Education, my time at Central played a significant role in opening up opportunities and preparing me for a viable future in the field.
Aiden Condron
Graduated 2014, has been a Teaching Fellow at Guildford School of Acting, and is Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Acting at University of Falmouth.
General information about applying for our postgraduate courses and the interview process.
Click to apply for Actor Training and Coaching, MA - Full Time course.
Click to apply for Actor Training and Coaching, MA - Part Time course.
Click to apply for Actor Training and Coaching, MFA course, Year 1.
Information for home, EU, and non-EU students.
Find out how your course will be delivered.
Find out about upcoming open days and free taster sessions at Central.
Explore Central's performance, rehearsal, study and social spaces on our virtual tour.
We run small group tours every Wednesday at 2pm.
Information on studying and living in London for students from outside the UK.
Download our Prospectus to find out more.
MA, one year, full-time; two years, part-time. October start. MFA, two years, full-time, October start. On-site attendance between July and October is not mandatory.
Master of Arts in Actor Training and Coaching (180 credits); Master of Fine Art in Actor Training and Coaching (240 credits)
Together with the MA/MFA Voice Studies and the MA/MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching courses, Actor Training and Coaching is one of Central’s postgraduate degrees that exposes you to high-level training practice.
The course does not train actors, but develops a practical understanding of what it is to act, enabling you to work as an actor trainer, coach, theatre practitioner and a director of actors.
See 'Course detail' for more information.
During terms one to three, you may expect to encounter work associated with, for example, Stanislavski, Chekhov, Meyerhold, Bogart, Lecoq, Grotowski and Meisner, and methodologies appropriate for acting for screen. Teaching methods include tutorials, group seminars and workshops.
You will develop advanced interpersonal, facilitation, coaching and pedagogy skills. These include:
In the MA and the MFA first year, there is the opportunity for you to undertake a teaching/assistant directing/coaching placement, as well as placements to engage with different acting and production contexts with the duration ranging from eight hours to three months.
Placements are a vital part of the course and will enable you to develop experience and hone skills as a pedagogue/practitioner. If you are pursuing the part-time pathway, you will undertake placements in the second year of your course.
The MFA second year widens your opportunity to practise knowledge within a professional context. You will be expected to undertake one or two workplace attachments, as well as participate in tutorials and occasional seminars throughout the year as part of an ongoing process of pedagogical reflection and engagement leading to the submission of the final assessment. An MFA top-up year for those of you with an existing MA in this subject is also available.
Assessment during the first three terms of both courses is through written work, presentation and teaching practice. In the MA fourth term (part-time second year) you will work towards a final dissertation or portfolio. In the MFA second year, assessment is by means of an extended dissertation or portfolio (inclusive of case studies, reflective documentation and plans of work) manifesting responses to attachment/s and practice.
You will normally have a degree or an equivalent qualification in a subject that includes an element of theatre or performance practice; or have a degree and can provide evidence of previous training and experience with performance disciplines; or have a strong acting or actor training background and at least two years’ professional experience in the acting industry. An offer will normally only be made after audition and interview.
An MFA top-up year for those with an existing MA in this subject is also available.
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.
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to prove their English language proficiency by gaining an overall score of 7.0 in an IELTS test. We do accept equivalent English language qualifications. Applicants are advised to gain this certification as early as possible and more information can be found on the English Language Requirements page.
If you are selected for an interview for a place on the Actor Training and Coaching, MA or MFA courses, we will require you to undertake the following:
The interview process will also give you an opportunity to find out more about the course and the School.
Each year Central hosts a number of interviews outside of the UK, with a team of tutors from Central travelling to meet applicants. The international interviews are designed to replicate the London-based interview experience in every aspect (other than a tour of our site!). See our Event Finder for listings of upcoming interview locations and dates.
Central does allow applicants to undertake a distance interview for these courses. If you live abroad and are unable to attend an interview in person you may, at the discretion of the Admissions Tutor, be offered the opportunity of a distance interview. If you are selected for interview in this manner you will be contacted (normally by email) in order to arrange a suitable time for an interview. This will be conducted on Skype, telephone or by ‘live’ email exchange and will normally be based upon material you will have been asked to submit in advance. The interview will be conducted by the Admissions Tutor in liaison with a colleague who will have sight of your submitted materials.
For further information see the How to Apply section.
Visit the International Students section to view details of English language requirements for Central's courses.
In the past, students have benefitted from working both on other courses (undergraduate and postgraduate) at Central and in external institutions. These have included various roles at:
Recent visiting professionals on the MA/MFA Actor Training and Coaching course include:
Notable graduates of this course include:
Miriam Lucia (2010) Founded the Clerkenwell Actors Studio, which operates as an ongoing training for professional actors.
Owain Rose (2015) is a freelance Theatre Director and Acting Lecturer. He has previously worked for Camden Youngstarz Theatre, Identity Drama School and The University of Northampton.
Lowri-Ann Richards (2012) is now a freelance Acting Coach and has previously worked with, Cambridge Performing Arts College, The International School of Screen Acting and ArtsEd.
Juanita Mora (2010) Has previously worked as an Artistic Director for, BEinspired Entertainment, West Avenue Theatre Company and The British International School.
Teresa Grimsditch (2007) is now a freelance Tutor and has previously worked for a number of arts institutions such as, The Actors Centre, The National Film and Television School and The University of Arts, London.
Graduate employment and career pathways have included:
Arts Educational Schools, Central, Drama Centre London, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Rose Bruford College, Kingston University, London Film Academy, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, East 15 Acting School, National Theatre Education, Drama Centre London, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, National Film and Television School, The Actors Centre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, St Mary’s University Twickenham, Method Studios, Northampton University, Falmouth University, University of St Mark and St John Plymouth, Brunel University London, Bangkok University, Toronto University, and institutions in the USA, Malaysia, Korea, Albania and Greece.
National Theatre, The Watermill Theatre and other regional theatres, London Fringe and West End.
at Central, Exeter University, Kent University, Queen Mary University of London, Kingston University and Oxford University.
Founder members of companies and acting studios working as freelance actor trainers and coaches.
View profiles of the academic staff who teach on these courses. Click on each staff member to find out more about them.
