15 Top Acting Schools In London

What is Acting All About?

Acting is a skill that can be learned. It could be a talent or a skill, but in most cases, a talent needs to be developed. Don’t you agree with this?

Acting is an art; it is done on stage. Acting is entertaining, educating and inspiring. Let’s evolve on the words “Entertaining, Educating and Inspiring.” When you hear entertainment, what do you think it means?

Entertainment has to do with fun. Acting is fun and it also brings fun to the audience on stage. An example of acting that can be fun is comic acting, the type of acting that makes one laugh and is likely to make them forget their sorrows.

Do you remember Josh2Funny? The young Nigerian comedian who appeared on “American Got Talent Show”—did  you see what he did there? That’s what we call entertainment. Some people might not understand what happened, but that’s what is called a Creative Entertainment Show.

Acting comes in different formats and he presents his own using the entertainment format. The educational format of acting simply means the act of exposing to the audience what they don’t know. In educational acting, you get to know a lot you don’t know about. It can be a documentary.

The inspiring format of acting is the type that gets the audience to take action about a thing. It can be a story about someone who survived even when he had no parents or relatives or was born out of hatred. The later story about how they survived life will make you stay strong on your journey, no matter what.

Acting comes in different formats or types and these are just a few about what it does in the end. Here is the thing: many actors didn’t make it there by sleeping.

People who got into the acting world developed it. Those who wanted to act but didn’t have the talent learned it, positioned themselves, and got into it. They attended school, went for training, and stretched themselves here and there to appear on your screen on a daily basis. They worked for it.

The same also applies to your favorite American actors and actresses. They’ve gone through training and practice to get to the stage they are on today; they also attended acting school to improve themselves.

In London, there are many acting schools where people of interest attend to improve or develop their talent or skill, and below are the top acting schools you should know:

Top Acting Schools in London

1. Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSM)

This drama school is one of the most prestigious in the country, rubbing shoulders not only with great musicians Luke Jacqueline du Pre and Janes Galway but also with actors who made a name for themselves both in the UK and US markets. (acting in London, UK)

2. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)

Founded in 1904, in addition to being considered one of the top acting schools, it’s the top school hardest to get into. It is named this way for a reason, as it radiates a royal reputation. Some classes involve just one teacher and three students. It’s said the Beatles were famous because their RADA-trained manager taught them how to be dramatic. If you’re able to get in, after graduation, you’ll definitely be on agents’ and casting directions’ radar. (actinginlondon.co.uk)

3. London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA)

LAMDA is not only one of the most recognized drama schools in the world, with alumni currently working all over the world, but it’s also one of the oldest drama schools in the world. Since it was founded in 1861, it has produced some absolutely great talent.

Graduates of this drama school have already taken 19 BAFTAs, 4 Academy Awards, 16 Golden Globes, 36 Oliver Awards and 12 Tonys. Apart from the school looking strong, someone who can manage to get LAMDA on their resume will score some major points in the great training and showbiz connections department.

4. Central School of Speech and Drama (CSSD)

CSSD is a very highly regarded theater and drama school that was founded in 1906. To say that you were able to fill a place in Central, as it’s also known, is a statement to be proud of. Throughout the years, this drama school has produced some extremely talented actors who were successful both on stage and on film and TV.

This is one of the most unique centers for aspiring actors in London that is always there to offer a new form of training in theater and film acting.

5. Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts

Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts is one of the oldest top drama schools in London that specializes in theater arts training. This drama school provides an environment in which its learners can be trained and educated to develop and broaden their skills as actors to their individual highest possible standards.

They select talented students for their individuality. The training process is always designed to nurture confidence, self-esteem, acknowledgment of personal strengths and the true fulfillment of technical and artistic potential so that they can confidently demonstrate and respond to the needs of an ever-changing and demanding acting profession.

Italia Conti Academy also has past heroes who have attended its academy and they all did well in their journeys.

6. Drama Studio London

Founded as a school specializing in providing acting training for over 21s, Drama Studio London describes itself as a “vocational drama studio.”

It specializes in shorter diplomas, offering a combination of one- and two-year diplomas in professional acting. In 2016, it launched a longer, three-year degree in collaboration with Leicester De Montfort University.

They describe their approach as “not pushing a single methodology” but one where drama training has classical roots with a modern focus.

7. Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

This is located in North London, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, also known as Mountview, was founded in 1947. Dench Judi is currently the school president and the college is well known for its alumni support networks.

BA students are offered at least 30 hours of contact time a week, and classes are small, with a maximum of 18 students. Exams are accredited by the University of East Anglia and Trinity, and students are supported to build links with industry professionals, agents and producers.

8. Drama Studio

Based in central London, it was established over 50 years ago and offers a range of courses for actors. The courses are aimed at actor training only and have Olivier Award-nominated alumni.

9. East 15

Based in Essex, the school is a part of the University of Essex and has been churning out actors for the past 60 years. Offers a range of courses, including foundation acting courses and has campuses in Loughton and Southend.

10. Arted

London-based, one of the leading drama schools in the country, has excellent courses for both acting and musical theater BA degrees. Graduates from the Musical Theatre course regularly go into West End musical casts within a year or two of graduating.

11. Bristol Old Vic

A prestigious school based in Bristol only takes a small number of actors every year. Famously opened by Laurence Olivier, it is one of the UK’s most successful drama schools.

12. Rose Bruford College

Based in Sidcup, south-east London, Rose Bruford offers a huge range of courses for actors. It’s renowned internationally and has recently absorbed the entire ALRA student base after the latter’s collapse.

13. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Regularly placing highly on the student satisfaction survey, the Birimingham-based conservatoire offers a large variety of courses in music and drama. With the Birmingham Rep attracting star-named shows, like Tom Hiddleston, in recent years, the city offers a break from London without losing the rich levels of art and culture.

14. Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Another world-famous school, Central, offers a huge range of courses for actors and creatives. Based in Central London, they are a part of the University of London and have excellent training facilities in the capital.

15. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Based in the historic, culture-centric city of Glasgow, this conservatoire offers some of the finest training in the UK. Constantly ranked in the world’s top 10 institutions for actor training, some of the best actors of this generation have trained there.

Having listed and explained these, I believe you are not confused about which acting class you want to attend. All you have to do is take your time, read through this article again and do research on the school of acting you pick.

Acting is fun and interesting; it is educational; and it creates room for self-exploration and expression. It creates room for socialization and character development.

Indeed, acting has a lot to offer if you are well trained in it, and if you also get to master the skill.