MA Screen: Acting prepares you for work in recorded drama and related fields by bringing together the key artistic functions that go towards the making of filmed drama. MA Screen: Acting is delivered in close collaboration with MA Screen: Directing, Writing.

At the heart of the postgraduate course is the growth of individual creativity, achieved through constant opportunities for working on camera-based projects with colleagues from other pathways. Course components include acting skills and practice, the creation and production of video dramas (shot both in the studio and on location), live devised performances, and in-depth preparation for the profession (including interview and audition techniques).

Distinctive features of MA Screen: Acting are:

• A performance-led approach to recorded drama
• A company operating model
• The acquisition of a deep understanding of the processes leading to the creation and communication of recorded drama
• A quasi-professional learning model that prepares you for direct entry into the world of work
• A focus on the technical aspects of production
• A mentoring scheme connecting students with experienced professionals

MA Screen: Acting lasts 60 weeks over 15 months and is structured as units - class-based to begin with, but becoming increasingly project-geared over time. This postgraduate course is intensive. You'll be expected to commit 30 hours per week to classes, rehearsals and shoots, and to your own independent preparation and learning.

Students who come to MA Screen: Acting expect vocational training plus a high level of autonomous learning. The practical elements of the course contribute to the intensity of the experience and sharpen your professional ability to deliver on time, on budget and at an appropriate level.

MA Screen: Acting breaks with stage-focused tradition by providing a specific programme directly relevant to the medium. Delivered in close working partnership with MA Screen: Directing, Writing, it features an extended programme of acting skills, two video drama projects, a radio drama project, a devised project, and an extended programme of professional preparation.

The MA course culminates in a series of short screen projects produced in collaboration with student (and sometimes professional) actors, directors and writers. Projects are screened for an invited industry audience that includes agents and casting directors.

Assessment

Assessment is practical, based on performance and class work. There is no formal written examination, though you will be expected to carry out and present extensive research, as well as deliver practice-informed reflective journal summaries.

Our training equips you to work in drama realised on film, television and radio. Some MA Screen: Acting graduates have gone on to work on the stage. An impressive list of performers and a number of world-famous directors have emerged from courses at 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, television director Jan Sargent and BAFTA winner Rungano Nyoni are among our graduates.

To read alumni profiles visit the former students page.

Industry links

Industry directly informs our training through lectures from professionals, either as full-time teachers or as visiting lecturers or directors. Towards the end of the MA course, representatives of film production companies, casting directors, producers and agents are invited to attend screenings. All students are linked through a mentoring scheme to experienced professionals who advise, support and guide them in the early stages of their careers. An Advisory Board that includes senior representatives of the profession actively assists Drama Centre London. Current board members include Declan Donnellan, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Adrian Noble and Max Stafford-Clark.

Minimum entry requirements

MA Screen: Acting entry requirements are: Degree or 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 outside performance plus demonstrable performance-related experience, either professionally or within an amateur or student context; or at least three years' professional experience as performer, director or writer.

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 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 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. 

International applicants

UAL 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 language training from qualified and experienced teachers. The Pre-sessional Academic English Programme is available to international (non-EU) students. 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.

What we look for

We're looking for students ready to take on an extremely demanding profession, who are mature and self-confident, and who are willing to take criticism and turn it to their advantage while preserving a sense of humour. You'll need to be resourceful and committed to following a postgraduate programme of study that's screen-oriented, exploratory and geared to the needs of the profession. We audition all applicants.

MA Screen: Acting is aimed primarily at graduates and mature students who can apply a high degree of independence to their learning. Successful candidates bring to the course an understanding of drama in its various contexts plus an ability to work autonomously for sustained periods with the necessary focus and resilience. As MA Screen: Acting puts a strong emphasis on collaboration within an ensemble, you're expected to show openness, flexibility and generosity in the context of the creative group.

The vocational nature of MA Screen: Acting implies a high degree of proficiency at entry. We do, however, balance this against perceived potential, especially where we identify a clear understanding of the profession and a realistic view of career development and employment prospects.

Selection criteria

Your application, audition and interview will be assessed for:

Essential criteria:

• High level of intellectual engagement
• High physical awareness and adaptability
• High vocal awareness and adaptability
• Highly developed characterisation
• High interactive awareness and adaptability
• Confident and flexible collaboration

Desirable criteria:

• Basic experience of screen

Interviews, auditions, application advice

Drama Centre London auditions and interviews all applicants. Once we've received your application form you'll be sent an audition/interview pack and you will be asked to book online and pay a £45 non-refundable audition fee. You must complete the form contained in the pack and return it with the fee of £45. We recommend you choose as early an audition date as possible. From November onwards, updates on the availability of audition dates (between March and November) and application deadlines will be shown on our website.

Your personal statement should give us information about yourself and why you want to join the course. (Write between 300-500 words)

• What are you doing at the moment educationally, professionally, personally?
• Why do you wish to study on this course?
• Do you have any relevant experience?
• Why do you think you are a suitable candidate for acceptance?

Admission to MA Screen: Acting is by audition and interview as follows:

Stage I

• Candidates are required to present two contrasting speeches, each lasting no longer than three minutes. Both speeches should be from screenplays or stage plays written later than 1870
• One or both speeches may be replaced with duologue scenes from screenplays or from stage plays written later than 1870. In this case you'll need to bring a partner with you to present the scene or scenes with
• All candidates are interviewed, with particular attention given to the texts chosen, their context and meaning
• You may also be asked to improvise or do some simple exercises

Stage II

Following the initial audition/interview, we use a recall system (normally on the same day). The second phase of your audition may include:

• Work under direction on one or both speeches or scenes
• A screen test
• A sight reading exercise
• A short test of the ability to hear and accurately reproduce rhythm, emphasis and tone
• An assessment of the candidate's ability to work co-operatively through simple improvisations and devising exercises

On audition/interview days you'll be looked after by current students who will do their utmost to guide you around Drama Centre London, answer your questions and help you relax so you can give the best account of your potential. Auditions/interviews normally involve at least one member of the profession.

Please note that auditions sometimes finish around 7.30pm and you may need to make appropriate travel arrangements.

Home/EU and International applicants

Download your MA Screen: Acting application pack:
 

• MA Screen: 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

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 Screen, 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.