The Oxford School of Drama

Welcome to our website. We hope it gives you a clear picture of what it might be like to train here and answers any questions that you have about the School. If not, you can always ring us on 01993 812883 or email us at info@oxforddrama.ac.uk

The closing date for applications for 2010/11 will be 31 May 2010.

The Oxford School of Drama has achieved phenomenal success over the past 22 years. It is the youngest of the accredited drama schools and is dedicated to providing outstanding vocational training for actors. Here are the things that we think make us unique:

• truly vocational
• top school – top jobs
• small is special
• money for fees and grants as well
• apply to us direct

• truly vocational

We offer practical, hands-on training to talented students who are committed to forging careers as actors. In order that we are able to provide the best possible training we have decided not to run degree courses. This means that we don’t have pressures put upon us to increase our number of students or courses as is so often the case in drama schools which enter into partnership with a university. It also means that our courses can remain truly vocational, with no element of essay-writing. However, we do understand that our students want recognition of their achievements in the form of a national qualification, so both our Three Year and One Year courses offer vocational qualifications accredited by Trinity College London which are equivalent to degrees (level 6 and level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework respectively).

• top school – top jobs

We are wholly focussed on measuring success based on our graduate employment record. In 2006 an Equity (the Actors’ Union) survey ranked all the drama schools by the percentage of their graduates getting jobs in the industry. We were placed in top position, at 93%, ahead of all other accredited drama schools. Our 2008 Ofsted report highlighted that "students succeed in securing employment quickly" and that recent graduates have appeared in leading roles in theatre, film and television.  See our Graduate news section if you want detailed information about how graduates from recent years are faring in the industry, or click here to read our 2008 Ofsted report in full.

• small is special

In November 2004 the BBC chose us as one of the top five drama schools in the UK. We believe our success is based on our ability to give all of our students unrivalled individual attention during their training. Here you’ll be part of an elite group of students from a wide range of backgrounds, all of whom are passionate about learning their craft as an actor. You won’t be part of an organisation training hundreds of students and you won’t be able to hide in a crowd – but you will, in all that you do, be pushed to fulfil your potential.

• money for fees and grants as well

We are in the Government Dance and Drama Awards (DADA) Scheme. This means that, if you accept a place at this School and fulfil the normal residency requirements, you are eligible to apply for one of a number of grants to cover the tuition fee, even if you have received funding to complete a degree already.  Students who receive a DADA can also apply for maintenance grants to help pay for living expenses. Unlike student loans, these grants do not need to be paid back. More information about the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme can be found on our Funding page.

• apply to us direct

You should apply direct to us rather than through UCAS. The enrolment form can be downloaded from the How to Apply page on this website, or you can obtain a hard copy of the form by calling 01993 812883.

We hope you enjoy browsing the website.

The Oxford School of Drama selects solely on the strength of talent, potential and suitability to be trained, irrespective of age, gender, religion, disability, ethnic origin or income.