Filming Your First Round Self-Tapes

Before completing your application form, you will need to film and submit your self-tape. 

Your self-tape should be between 6-7 minutes long. If your self-tape is more than 7 minutes long, the panel will not watch the tape to the end. 

You are required to provide us with a link to one video. This video can be filmed in sections and edited together, but you must make sure you perform your speeches in one take (no cuts or edits) as if you were on stage. This is not a test of your editing abilities!

This video will contain the following:

1. Introduction (2 minutes total): Film a close up of your face and tell us

• Your name 
• Which pieces you will be performing
• Why you have chosen these pieces
• Which course(s) you are applying for
• Why you wish to train at the Oxford School of Drama

Note: There is no right or wrong way to do your introduction. Speak from the heart, give us the chance to see who you are before you show us your work.

Change position by moving back from camera to a waist up shot and deliver the two pieces. Your eyeline should be to the side of the camera, not looking directly into the camera.

2. A contemporary speech (2 minutes total): From a 20th or 21st century play.

3. A contrasting second speech (2 minutes total): Contrasting means the character experiences a completely different journey, has different attitudes and/or expresses themselves differently. This contrasting speech can be any of the following

• A second contemporary speech 
• A classical speech from the 16th or 17th century. 
• A spoken word poem

We have a list of suggested classical pieces. If you are unsure of what to choose, please click here to view the list. 

If you are applying for the Acting with Musical Theatre Foundation Course please also submit an additional video link (meaning you have 2 links to 2 different self-tapes) which contains:

A Musical Theatre Song (2 minutes total) – this must be accompanied.

Now you have your self-tape(s) filmed, upload your video to Vimeo/YouTube making sure the link works for someone who isn’t logged in, that settings are set to either public or only set to private if people with the link can access it.

You will hear back from us within 4 weeks.

If your first round audition is not successful, we will email you to inform you. You will be able to call the School to obtain feedback on your audition from the Admissions Manager on the days/times stated in the email. 

If you are successful in the First Round, you will be invited to a First Recall Audition. 

Your First Recall Audition

You will need to present two speeches at Recall Auditions. They should be:

• A contemporary speech – if you did two contemporary speeches in your Self-Tape, you can choose which one to present to the panel.
• A contrasting classical speech – from the 16th or 17th century. This can be Shakespeare or any other writer from that period; for example, John Ford, Ben Jonson, Mary Pix, Christopher Marlowe, Aphra Behn. If you chose to do a classical speech in your Self-Tape you can bring the same speech, if you chose not to do a classical speech, we have a list of recommended speeches here.

This audition takes place in person at OSD. We cannot complete a recall audition online, so remember to be prepared to travel to Oxford at the time of application and let us know any dates that you are unavailable before you submit your self-tape. 

We will email you an attached PDF document that details the time and date of your first recall. 

Please be ready to confirm your First Recall audition by making the Recall payment by the date requested in your First Recall invitation. This is usually within two working days of us sending the email.

Please come in loose-fitting clothing, something you are comfortable and confident in, and be prepared to work barefoot. 

On the day you can expect the following:

• You will be offered a place in a free taxi from Oxford to the School should you need transport
• You will be greeted on arrival by either a member of our admissions team or a friendly OSD graduate
• You will take part in a group workshop led by the audition panel
• You will present your two audition speeches to the audition panel
• The panel may workshop and re-direct your speeches a little, so be prepared to change how you usually perform them
• The panel will take some time to chat with you and ask you some questions
• There will be tea, coffee, and water provided at the school

To prepare for your first recall audition, please watch our In-person Recall Audition Tips. 

If you are successful at your First Recall Audition, we will either invite you for a Second Recall (Three and One Year Course) or we may offer you a place (Foundation Courses). 

If you’re applying for our Foundation Course in Acting with Musical Theatre, you will be required to take part in a remote recall audition over Zoom in addition to your in-person recall. This remote audition is your chance to perform your song for the audition panel. You will not need to perform your song at your in-person recall. 

If you are unsuccessful, you will be given information on when is best to call to receive feedback on your audition. 

Your Second Recall

The second recall is a development on the First Recall. 

We ask that you still wear loose-fitting clothing that you are comfortable and confident in and are ready to work barefoot. 

On the day you can expect to: 

• Work more closely with two members of the audition panel
• Take part in a group workshop 
• Work from some text you haven’t seen before
• Workshop one of your speeches in detail

We want to see you working with others and connecting to the work through our central pillars of collaboration, creativity, and craft. 

After a Second Recall, if you are successful, you will either be offered a place on a course or placed on our waiting list. 

If you are unsuccessful, we will give you details of when to call the school for feedback from the panel member who worked with you during your Second Recall.