MA Acting is primarily a stage acting course which focuses on the techniques developed to address the demands posed by the great European classics.

MA Acting is a rewarding route to the general training of actors, offering a solid grounding in acting technique, rooted in the long-established traditions of England and Russia, which are widely considered to be the foremost exponents of the art of the actor.

Throughout, the postgraduate course emphasises theatrical approaches, in particular those relating to narrative structures, movement expression and the conveyance of complex texts by means of a rich, well-trained voice. Questions of text and subtext are explored in detail.

MA Acting approaches performance in ways specifically addressing the needs of the Jacobean stage: focusing on vocal accuracy with speed, expressivity on a large scale, engagement with the audience. In addition, the postgraduate course encourages you to develop skills required by the realist style: multi-layered characterisation, recognising the subtle rapport between text and sub-text, being ‘private in public’.

MA Acting reflects the general ethos of the Drama Centre London. The Centre’s distinctive approach includes:

The Stanislavsky System

The most famous and detailed of all acting systems and the point of departure for most subsequent developments. Training at Drama Centre London reflects both the Russian and the American methodologies. The teaching therefore ensures a balance between the requirements of the stage on the one hand and of film and television on the other.

German Expressionism and the legacy of Rudolph Laban

The Drama Centre London was created around the work of Dr Yat Malmgren, one of the great solo artists of European modern dance and the creator of the Laban-Malmgren System of Character Analysis. His unique contribution developed the theoretical work on the psychology of movement initiated by Rudolph Laban, the visionary innovator in the field of choreography and movement theory.

Improvisation

Following in the footsteps of great originals such as Joan Littlewood and Mike Leigh, Drama Centre London adopts an eclectic approach that fuses the contributions of the modern masters: Vakhtangov, Brecht and Grotowsky, placing at the heart of its work the exploration of character, story and dramatic relationships through improvisation. This approach also involves actors, directors and writers in active research into the social background of the dramatic text and places political awareness at the forefront of their work. Drama Centre Londonlays great emphasis on applying these techniques to the recorded media (film, radio, television) as much as to the stage.

MA Acting is structured in 2 units over 45 weeks; Unit 1 (weeks 1-15) “Skills and techniques of Acting” and Unit 2 (weeks 16-45) “The practice of Acting”. 8 weeks are spent at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, known as the Vakhtangov Institute, in Moscow - one of the foremost conservatoire Drama schools in Russia.

A typical week for MA Acting students will be; 3 hours Voice, 3 hours Movement, 1.5 hours Ballet, 1.5 hours Speech, 1.5 hours Period Dance, 3 hours Neutral Mask, 7 hours Acting Technique and 12 hours Rehearsal. This intensive pattern, with skills classes underpinning rehearsals, carries on for all 45 weeks of the postgraduate course. All of the above classes and rehearsals are "taught time" - contact hours on MA Acting are high, with additional time spent preparing either by yourself or with fellow students -it is an intensive postgraduate course, physically and emotionally demanding.

An impressive list of famous performers and a number of world-famous directors have emerged from courses at the Drama Centre London.

Alumni include Paul Bettany, Pierce Brosnan, Simon Callow, Frances de la Tour, Paola Dionisotti, Colin Firth, Tara Fitzgerald, Anastasia Hille, Geraldine James, Helen McCrory, Jack Shepherd, John Simm, Colin Tierney, Lambert Wilson, Penelope Wilton and many more.

Adrian Noble (for ten years Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company), film writer and director David Leland, novelist Esther Freud, and television director Jan Sargent are among our graduates.

Minimum entry requirements

MA Acting entry requirements are: an Honours degree in acting, drama, directing, theatre studies, dance, or a relevant art and design discipline; a level 3 Diploma from a recognised professional drama or dance school (e.g. a member of The Conference of Drama Schools or The Council for Dance Education and Training); an Honours degree in a discipline other than those listed above plus demonstrable performance-related experience, either professionally or within an amateur or student context; or at least three years' appropriate professional experience as a performer.

English language requirement

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you send us an English language test score together with your application to prove your level of proficiency. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please clearly indicate this on your application form. When you have received your test score, please send it to us immediately. The standard English language requirement for entry is IELTS 7.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in any one paper, or equivalent. For further information visit the Language Centre website.
 
Applicants who will need a Tier 4 General Student Visa should check the External English Tests page which provides important information about UK Border Agency (UKBA) requirements. 

Detailed information of the selection process will be available in January

Home/EU and International applicants

Download your MA Acting application form:

• MA Acting application form - home/EU and international [Word, 0.5mb]

Each form contains detailed information about the application process.

Your application must include:

• A completed application form
• Copies of your latest qualifications certificates
• A personal statement
• Two references, at least one should be an academic or professional reference

Further information for International applicants

Our website includes all the information you need to successfully apply. However, if you still have unanswered questions about the admissions process, please contact us. Email: international@csm.arts.ac.uk

The University has a dedicated team to help prepare you for your studies. For help on visa requirements, housing, tuition fees and language requirements visit the University's International section.

The Language Centre offers international students quality language training from qualified and experienced teachers. The Pre-sessional Academic English Programme is available to all international (non-EU) students who have been offered a place on a full time course at the University of the Arts. For further information visit the Language Centre website.

We also offer a number of short courses that enable students to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course. For further information visit our Short Course section.

Please ensure your application is complete. If you’re sending references separately, please state this clearly. We recommend you send your application by recorded mail. Due to the large number of applications we get, we cannot send confirmation that your application has been received.

Home/EU and International applicants please send your completed application to: Student Administration, MA Acting, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, The Student Centre Block C004, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA.

When to apply

Applications can be submitted throughout the academic year.

Deferred entry

Entry can only be deferred in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us before submitting your application if you're considering applying for deferred entry.

What happens next?

Once we have received your application you'll be sent an audition pack including instructions on how to book and pay for your audition online. The non-refundable audition fee is £45.00. Auditions normally take place between February and July. Drama Centre London seeks to audition and interview all applicants. We recommend you choose an early audition date. For more details about our audition procedure visit the auditions and interviews page.

Open days

View the latest information under news and events on Drama Centre's website. Open days are a great opportunity to meet staff and students and to find courses, teaching and student life. Visit the open day section for dates to book your session. Bookings can only be made online, not by phone or email.