BA (Hons) in Acting admissions procedure for entry 2025

• Please make sure you have read these notes prior to application, as we are unable to extend the two-week
applying and retain for your reference. deadline.
• All eligible Applicants who apply before the closing date
will receive an audition. Please note that, due to the high number of applicants we
• All Applicants must be 18 or over by the start of our Autumn audition, we are unable to provide feedback. For further
term (10 September 2025). details, please consult the RADA Admissions Policy.

Applications The four audition stages:

Please apply via the RADA website using our online ① Preliminary audition (self-tape) - runs from October to
application form. If you have applied previously, you should February.
use the same credentials to log on this year. Your application ② Recall audition (self-tape) - runs from November to March.
must be completed and submitted by 29 January 2025 at ③ Short workshop* (three-hour workshop via Zoom) - held
11:59pm (UK time) to be considered. weekly from February to April.
④ Full workshop day* (in-person) - taking place from
You have three options when applying: Tuesday 22 April to Saturday 26 April only.
• Apply for the BA Acting programme only;
• Apply for both the BA Acting and the Foundation Course in * Workshops in the third and fourth stages will replicate the
Acting (non-HE); working experience at RADA, and in the profession, and may
• Apply for the Foundation Course in Acting (non-HE) only. include physical and close eye contact with other applicants.
If you have difficulties with these working methods, please
The first two stages of the audition process are identical for alert the Admissions team prior to these audition stages and
both the BA Acting and the Foundation Course in Acting, as suitable adjustments will be made, where possible.
outlined in this document.
① Preliminary audition (Stage 1)
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply Preliminary auditions open in October and applicants must
early, so we can provide ample notice for those reaching the submit their self-tape audition prior to the deadline given by
final stage of auditions, as all final full-day workshops will be Admissions via email.
held in person at RADA.
In Stage 1, your video will be reviewed by two members of
Travel bursaries are available for RADA Connect the audition Panel. Your self-tape should include a one-
participants who reach the final round of auditions. minute introduction and two audition speeches. Each speech
should last no longer than two minutes.
Foundation Course in Acting • Introduction
You can find out more about the Foundation Course in Acting In your introduction, you will state your name and briefly
here. For further information about admissions please read tell us which pieces you have chosen and why.
the Admissions Procedure for the Foundation Course in
Acting here. • Speech A - Classical
The classical piece should be from Shakespeare or an
If you have applied for the Foundation Course in Acting and Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright (Jonson, Marlowe,
are unsuccessful at any stage of the BA Acting process, your Webster, etc.). It should be originally written in English - so
Stage 1 and 2 tapes will automatically be diverted to the do not choose a piece from a Greek tragedy or a Molière
Foundation Course in Acting panel. comedy, for example. You may perform a monologue in your
native language (mother tongue) if you prefer, but it must
Audition Procedure - Academic Year 2025-26 be accompanied by the same piece performed in English.
After you have paid and submitted your application, you
will receive an automated confirmation email from RADA. • Speech B - Contemporary
The Admissions Team will send you the self-tape guidance The contemporary piece should provide a clear contrast to
(which is also available on our website) and your deadline the classical pieces and be written after 1960.
for submission, and you will have TWO WEEKS to submit
your self-tape audition. We strongly advise that you
have prepared your self-tape prior to submitting your
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Recap: (submitted at Stage 2). The workshop leader will choose one of
Introduction: 1 minute your classical speeches for you to perform.
Speech A: 2 minutes
Speech B: 2 minutes Each applicant will work with a director on their speech to
fully explore the material and its opportunities. The director
Choosing your speeches will be looking for an imaginative response to the text and
Do: character, as well as physical and vocal adaptability and the
• Choose contemporary/classical plays only, not material ability to take direction.
from films or television.
• Select at least one speech from a character close to your ④ Full workshop day
age. This is the final stage and you will need to prepare a new
• Opt for contrasting pieces: dramatic/comic, serious/light, audition speech of your choice, from any era, Greek to
active/reflective. contemporary, that you have not presented in earlier stages.
• Imagine the person you are speaking to; be familiar with the
rest of the play and the context in which the speech occurs. The sessions will include:
• Choose a speech you are passionate about and can Movement
envision performing one day. Applicants will take part in an introductory session of games
• Use your natural speaking voice for the classical speech. and movement exercises taught at RADA. The Panel will
be noting the use of body spatial awareness and physical
Don’t: imagination.
• Worry about how original your choice of speech is.
• Assemble a speech from lines of dialogue that depend Voice
heavily on another character’s interjections. Applicants will take part in group voice exercises and work
• Use an accent you are not confident in. individually on a piece of text. The Panel will be noting vocal
• Choose speeches where the character is mad, drunk, or flexibility, fluency of reading, and vocal health.
wildly out of control; these are difficult to perform.
• Mimic someone else’s performance of the speech: we want Scene study
to see your original work. Applicants will work with a director in small groups on a scene
from a play. The Panel will be noting the ability to understand
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on the character and situation, respond to direction and the capacity
suitability of your speech choices before submission. to work with other actors.

② Recall audition (Stage 2) Speeches

Stage 2 will take place from November onwards. Applicants Each applicant will perform their chosen speech in front of the
will be required to submit a new self-tape audition, which group and members of the Panel. The Panel will be noting your
will be reviewed, along with your previous self-tape, by a interpretation, imaginative connection to the character and
secondary Panel consisting of three members. ability to communicate the story to the audience.

There will be a TWO-WEEK deadline for submission. Interview

Your self-tape should include a one-minute introduction, You will then have an individual interview with a senior Panel
one new classical speech (following the same rules as member, lasting approximately 15 minutes.
speech A) plus the verse and chorus of a song (performed
unaccompanied). As well as the above, the Panel will be looking for Applicants’
ability to:
Recap: • Commit to the collaborative nature of the workshop for its
Introduction: 1 minute duration.
Speech: 2 minutes • Respond to professional teaching and develop physical,
Song: 1 ½ minutes. vocal, imaginative and interactive skills in support of other
members of the group.
③ Short workshop
This will be a three-hour workshop. You should be prepared Our intention is that the day is relaxed and enjoyable for all
to perform both your classical and contemporary speeches applicants so that, regardless of the outcome, you will have
(Speech A and Speech B), as well as the new classical speech had an enriching experience.
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Further process
After Stage 1
You will receive an email either:
• Informing you that you have not been successful, or
• Notifying you that you have been selected for a Recall
Audition (Stage 2).

After Stage 2
You will receive an email either:
• Informing you that you have not been successful, or
• Inviting you to participate in the Short Workshop.

After the Short Workshop

You will receive an email either:
• Informing you that you have not been successful, or
• Inviting you to the Full Workshop Day.

After the Full Workshop Day

You will receive an email either:
• Informing you that you have not been successful, or
• Asking you to wait while other applicants are auditioned.
• If successful, you will receive an offer of a place by email.
This email will include our terms and conditions, and
further information. We will require a written acceptance of
the place offer (email is acceptable).

Additional Information
• Wait time between stages:
There may be a wait time following each audition stage, so
please be patient as the Panel reviews all applicants.

• Final decision:
The decision of the Panel is final. If you are unhappy
with the process, you may submit a complaint under our
Admissions, Appeals & Complaints process.

• Application limits:
Applicants may only apply once per academic year.

• On-hold policy:
An applicant who is ‘on hold’ may accept a place at another
drama school and return that place at any time. However,
applicants should not hold more than one place at a time.

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Accessibility and Support for Applicants with Disabilities
RADA welcomes applications from Applicants with • It’s fine to ask the Panel to repeat any question.
disabilities, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other Specific • Take your time.
Learning Difficulties (SpLDs). • Remember that many applicants and students with
disabilities and SpLDs have been to RADA before.
A high proportion of RADA students come with some form of
disability, mostly specific learning disabilities (SpLDs) such Be advised that all of our programmes are highly physical,
as dyslexia or dyspraxia or with mental health conditions. and most auditions will include games or warmup exercises
We have fewer students with physical or sensory disabilities involving eye contact and/or physical contact. Let us know if
(although they are welcomed on our courses, and we support you have concerns, and we will do our best to accommodate
students from all backgrounds) and an increasing number of your needs.
students who we describe as ‘neurodiverse’ who are on the
autistic spectrum or have ADHD. tt RADA has a long-standing commitment to supporting
students with disabilities. We will ensure that reasonable
Accessibility adjustments are made to enable your full participation in the
RADA’s main training buildings in Gower/Malet Street and training.
Chenies Street are fully accessible to those with limited
mobility. RADA’s support is currently jointly managed by the team in
Student and Academic Services working with your Course
Tell us about your disability Leader. We will usually encourage students who disclose
We encourage applicants to declare any disability early so a disability to speak with their Course Leader as they will
that we can work together to ensure appropriate support be able to advise on adjustments and what would be most
is in place as soon as possible. The term ‘disabled’ refers helpful in their learning. Students can also talk to RADA’s
to individuals with physical or sensory impairments, such Head of Student Wellbeing if they are concerned about
as limited mobility or hearing loss, learning difficulties like sharing this information in the first instance.
dyslexia or dyspraxia, autism spectrum conditions, or mental
health conditions like depression. We encourage students to tell us about any condition
that might affect their training, and that they should do so
Please be advised that if you do disclose a disability on your knowing that we will handle that sensitive information in
application form, this may be shared with the Panel. accordance with data protection legislation.

You are not required to include this information at application Once we know about a particular condition, we will produce
Stage but we strongly recommend that you do in order to give a ‘Learning Agreement’, where necessary. This outlines the
us time to prepare and arrange suitable support. It will also adjustments that will be made, who needs to know about
mean that we can provide appropriate arrangements during this and when it should be reviewed. This will be done with
the admissions process, where possible. the student, and the agreement will only be shared with the
people whom the student has agreed will have access to it.
During an audition/interview
• Remember that many applicants and students with Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
disabilities and specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) have UK students are advised to make an application for Disabled
thrived, and we’re committed to ensuring you have the Students’ Allowance (DSA) through the Student Loans
support you need to do the same. Company. This can provide valuable financial assistance to
• Do not worry and remember the audition/interview Panel help with the adjustments required for learning for example,
wants you to do your best in your audition/interview. The particular software for learning support, or a one-to-one
Panel will be made aware of your access requirements if session with an experienced learning support practitioner.
you have made them clear on your application. It can take several months from the point of application
• Our admissions team is here to provide any additional before full support is implemented, therefore, we strongly
support or adjustments you may need during your audition advise that you apply for DSA at the same time you send your
or interview. Please don’t hesitate to let us know how we application to RADA. Student Loans Company will require
can assist you. evidence of the disability to make an assessment for DSA.
• Please tell us if you would like to be seen first and we will There is more information here.
try to accommodate this.
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Accessibility and Support for Applicants with Disabilities cont.
Students who are not eligible for a UK Disabled Students’
Allowance should, in the first instance, seek funding from
their own country, funding body, sponsor or other source.
However, RADA can offer some Study Skills support sessions
and you should contact Student and Academic Services for
more information.

Support for students with specific learning

difficulties (SpLDs) and autism
For students with specific learning difficulties, we have
relationships with external specialists who can undertake
a diagnostic assessment, should there not already be a
diagnosis in place. For students who have not yet received a
diagnosis, RADA will cover the cost of the initial diagnostic
assessment. Ongoing support, including 1:1 Study Skills
or mentoring, will be covered by the Disabled Students’
Allowance to help you throughout your training. Please note,
the Student Loans Company may ask students to contribute
to additional costs (for example, choosing an Apple Mac
over a PC). Students may also receive additional funding
for printer supplies and photocopying, for which receipts
should be submitted to SLC at the end of the year for
reimbursement.

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