For future actors looking for training and interested in two specific criteria — London and University — here’s another (not really) big list of drama Universities in London.
I have expressed my feelings towards choosing to work for a University level degree rather than drama school’s one many times in previous articles and lists. However, like I said before, your situation might be unique and a diploma in University is your only option. In this case I can just lay off and pat you on the shoulder for trying to at least get some professional actors training under your belt, and I’ll make this drama Universities in London list of assistance to you.
If we were to talk about solid acting training that is provided by University, then I will have to admit that most of the time, London is where it’s at. We have to agree that in any case, most of drama schools are also based in the best theatre city in the world, and it’s not without a reason. Drama Universities in London are facing the same situation, so if you’re anywhere around London or looking to move here, you’re in luck.
In case you changed your mind during these few paragraphs, you might be interested in skimping through my previous lists of Best Acting Schools in the UK, Best Drama Schools in London, Best Drama Schools in UK, Top Acting Schools in the World: Top 5, Best Acting Schools in the World: Top 20 and Drama Clubs in London.
Now, let’s just jump into familiarizing ourselves with all those drama Universities in London. Quick disclaimer: I have not compiled this list the way I worked on the ones mentioned above. This is simply an information of drama Universities in London, and not much more, that I have took out of my previous huge list. I still hope you’ll find this useful.
Drama Universities in London — The (not really) Big List
Brunel University
As a student on the BA Theatre (Honours) at Brunel University, you will become part of an energetic, dynamic and creative community of students, artists and academics. Our programme has been designed for students who aspire to work in today’s diverse theatre industry. The BA Theatre is highly practice focused and you will learn core skills in theatre making and performance while at the same time studying historical, theoretical and critical perspectives. Our teaching team of practitioners and artists are specialists in the fields of theatre, performance and live art, and you will taught in our purpose built Antonin Artaud Performance Centre, which houses a fully equipped main house and studio theatre, as well as a large suite of rehearsal and recording studios.
University of East London
Second on the list of drama Universities in London is East London’s Uni. The programme is designed to provide you with: The knowledge and skills to perform as an actor to professional industry standards whether in TV, Film, Theatre or Radio. Specialised skills in acting, voice, movement and singing. Transferable skills, especially in communication and self-presentation, team-work, independent research and critical analysis, which will allow you to operate successfully in a variety of fields.
Kingston College
This degree course, validated by University of West London, is for actors who are serious about going into the profession. It is designed to give you a solid and professional platform from which you can step into the performing arts world. The emphasis is on development of high-level performance skills, supported by relevant theory. The course approaches acting through the use of both the body and the creative intelligence. It is practical and provides numerous opportunities for performance, both on stage and to camera.
London South Bank University
This course will help you explore new ways of thinking about yourself as a creative performer and practitioner. Over three years you’ll study various practical and theoretical approaches to Drama and Performance. For more information on this course you can visit their website that I have provided below; I just couldn’t write all their info here onto acting universities UK.
Regent’s College
Through the study of the symbiotic relationship between practice and theory, students will gain focused performance training as well as the critical skills essential to the articulate and intellectually aware actor and theatre practitioner. The course enables students to develop the artistic and intellectual foundations for a career in theatre and related fields.
Richmond, The American International University
The Performance and Theatre Arts major at Richmond University, London, provides students with practical acting experience and with a comprehensive knowledge of theatre history, playwriting (for stage, television and film) and current performance and theatre practices. While not intended solely as preparation for a career in acting, performance or theatre, approximately two thirds of classes are practice-based, including classes and performances at Shakespeare’s Globe and a final year showcase at a London theatre.
University of Roehampton
The Department of Drama, Theatre and Performance has established an international reputation for both teaching and research, and has forged an unusually distinctive identity within the field for its investigations through cutting-edge performance practice and critical theory. We have one of the largest academic teams in the UK, with international reputations as performance makers, writers, visual artists, curators, critics and theoreticians. Our interests range across contemporary, experimental and early modern theatre, applied theatre, performance art, sound art, creative writing, and performance as social action. Some of the world’s leading performance-makers and academics are regular participants at events organised by the department’s Centre for Performance & Creative Exchange.
St Mary’s University College
Whichever pathway you choose, Drama St Mary’s gives you a unique opportunity to develop your practical skills and your academic potential. The resources available to you are not just the expertise of the staff, the theatre, the studios and technical equipment, but also all that London, the theatre capital, has to offer. Drama and Theatre Arts is for students who want to work in mainstream Theatre, TV and Film. The foundation of the programme is actor-training, but as the course progresses, it allows students, if they so wish, to diversify into technical theatre, stage-management or design and pursue interests in directing and playwriting.
University of the Arts London
“Drama Centre has taught me that acting is not just about doing. There is a certain necessity in the knowing behind the doing: actors should and must attain an intellectual understanding of the world they are attempting to construct.” I decided to post this quote here on acting universities UK list instead of an actual description, because I liked it. For more info, just visit their website.
The University of West London
The course is highly practical and the training is designed for those who wish to pursue a career as a performer in either live or recorded media, stage or screen. There are opportunities for public performances which will form part of the degree assessment.
Drama Universities in London — To Sum Up…
And we’re done with the list of drama Universities in London. Compared to other lists, it’s definitely not really a big list, however, considering that all these Universities have been filtered through 3-year acting courses AND they are all in London — it’s pretty impressive.
If you find yourself living or moving to London, and there’s no chance for you to get into any of the reputable drama schools around here (don’t stop trying, for pete’s sake!), a London based University with an acting related course is your next best bet. And I brought them all here for you in this drama Universities in London list.
Bear in mind that I have not included some Universities that offer drama courses, like Kingston, for example. The reason being is that their course is strictly theory based: it’s all about the history of theatre and research of the plays, etc. While there’s nothing wrong with that, and we as actors usually find this kind of practice fascinating (at least I do), it has absolutely nothing to do with becoming an actor, therefore, it’s not on drama Universities in London list.
If you want to be an actor, train as an actor. Hopefully this drama Universities in London list comes in handy, and you will let me know of any corrections that should be made here.