Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

• Location: London, England,
• Year of foundation: 1904,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is one of the oldest theatre schools in the United Kingdom, which has earned international recognition, the trust of local and international students, the highest accreditations and many awards and prizes, places in the leading rating lists.

Founded in 1904 by Herbert Beerbohm Tree, today the academy is one of the most sought-after institutions in the field of dramatic arts and is under the patronage of King Charles III, who took office after the death of Catherine II in 2022. After more than 120 years, RADA preserves historical traditions, but follows modern trends in education, providing the best conditions for obtaining professional skills in the fields of acting, performance, stage management and others. The academy teaches higher education programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and preparatory and short-term courses are available.

Drawing on more than a century of experience in creative achievement, the professional training of actors, directors and designers at RADA brings together a diverse community of students and teachers of various nationalities. The teaching staff of the Academy is represented by hundreds of specialists in the fields of art with the highest qualifications and many years of teaching experience, individual achievements and awards. Educational staff provide pupils not only with modern methods of studying the chosen specialty, but also with an individual approach to their talent, mentoring and maximum return so that each of the students achieves the best result.

A wide range of partner institutions, opportunities for practice outside of school hours, an active student life, additional academic support - all this and much more will help students not only get a competitive degree, but also realize their abilities in career activities.

The basis of all curricula is practice: international students spend many hours in specialized studios and halls to hone the professional skills of the studied field of art. The learning process goes beyond the schedule thanks to extracurricular seminars, additional training with teachers, self-study. Internships are often already included in the programs, where students will have the opportunity to work in a professional environment with specialists already known to the world.

The Academy does not have its own residences. Foreign students can use the help of educational staff to find suitable accommodation near the academy.

The proximity to world-famous attractions, a variety of cultural and entertainment places allows students to spend their free time in a fun, efficient and useful way. RADA is located in Bloomsbury, close to numerous universities and museums in the Knowledge District. Located in one of the greenest capitals of the world, the academy is adjacent to the famous recreation parks Alfred Square Gardens, Russell Square, Gordon Square and Tavistock Square Gardens, Regent's Park. The campus is within easy reach of many West End theaters, dance and music venues, and comedy clubs.

Many theaters offer international student discounts or cheaper tickets for those under 25-30. Most of London's major museums and galleries are free to visit, including the V&A, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Science Musuem, National Gallery, Brunei Gallery, British Museum, Whitechapel Gallery, Museum of London, Royal Academy, Horniman Museum, Southbank Centre and many more. In every corner of the capital, countless festivals, markets, sporting events, carnivals, lectures and other events take place throughout the year.

• Higher education programs are confirmed by King's College London,
• The royal patron of the academy is Charles III,
• Hundreds of world-renowned alumni who have built international careers in film, television, theatre,
• Free introductory courses for high school students,
• A variety of specialised facilities with modern equipment located close to London's attractions and cultural venues,
• Extensive network of partners around the world.

The RADA campus is located in the Bloomsbury area of central London. The academy's infrastructure meets industry standards, providing students with a diverse performing arts experience so that they can confidently work in a variety of settings: from small theatrical productions to large-scale international events, film sets, recording studios.

There are four theaters on the educational grounds, in which all students of the acting and theater faculties work on their performance skills.

• Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre

A flexible 183-seat theater offering a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment, allowing students to practice and expand their technical skills in line with industry professional standards. The theater is used for film screenings, exhibitions, and other events.

• GBS Theatre

The theater studio accommodates up to 70 people and is distinguished by a characteristic open brick wall.

• Gielgud Theater

A "black box studio" space that can accommodate up to 50 people. The theater is used for informal meetings, seminars and training, public performances.

• Studio Theater

Located in RADA Studios, 16 Chenies Street, the most spacious theater is the main venue for events, actively rented out for outdoor events.

The buildings on Gower Street, Chenis Street have a number of studios and workshops. Specialized studios are used by students for classes and rehearsals, dance and martial arts education, for the study of sound, acting, and the film industry. For education in theatrical production, the academy has workshops for metalworking, carpentry, performing arts, videography, props and costume making, where students practice skills, create important elements of public performances.

The RADA infrastructure also includes:

• A library that houses more than 40,000 books, including 12,000 plays with many rare and out-of-print scripts, as well as recent releases. There are books on many other aspects of the performing arts and wider culture, including the history of theatre, poetry, drama teaching techniques, social history, photography, film, technical theatre disciplines and dance,
• Computer rooms with CAD packages,
• Prop shops with over 20,000 costumes,
• Access to a range of digital resources, including subscriptions that allow you to watch productions online, such as Digital Theatre Plus and Drama Online, as well as a library of several thousand films – from Hollywood classics to international cinema, documentaries,
• Several cafes and recreation areas.

Depending on the degree you choose to study, the academic calendar may vary. Educational year is represented by three semesters:

• Fall semester: September-November,
• Spring Semester: January-April,
• Summer semester: April-July.

Between semesters, there are qualifying students performances and seasonal holidays. Classes are organized on weekdays, recreation - on national and international holidays and weekends.

Almost all educational materials, study resources and travel costs are included in the tuition fee. Approximate list of additional costs is represented by:

• Registration fee, deposit,
• Accommodation, meals,
• Training clothes, shoes,
• A personal laptop or tablet, if required by the chosen specialty,
• Customized additional materials such as training mats, stationery,
• External exams,
• Personal expenses.

Admission to many educational programs is based on passing a four-stage interview that takes place over several months. Personal interviews are held in London, New York, Los Angeles, Dublin and throughout the UK. Free auditions are offered to all applicants with a household income of less than £25,000.

To get to the interview, applicants must fill out a registration form, pay for its submission and provide the required documents. Based on the results, the selected candidates will receive an official letter of readiness for enrollment, after which they will be able to start their studies.

Every year, RADA admits up to 28 new students to undergraduate programs with a 50/50 gender split in students.

Academy graduates become leaders in their fields, working as actors, directors, writers, producers, designers, set designers, and stage and production managers, achieving success in broader industries. Some of the world-famous RADA alumni among actors are:

• Sean Bean – The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones,
• Brian Bedford – Robin Hood, seven Tony Award nominations
• Eve Best – "The King's Speech", "House of the Dragon",
• David Bradley – Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who,
• Taron Egerton – Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Theory of Everything,
• Ralph Fiennes – Harry Potter, Schindler's List, 007: Skyfall Coordinates,
• Tom Hiddleston – Thor, The Avengers, The Night Manager,
• Anthony Hopkins – "The Silence of the Lambs", "Westworld",
• Alan Rickman – Harry Potter, Love Actually, Die Hard,
• Aimee Lou Wood – "Sex Education".

Admission of new students is based on the results of interviews and auditions. In order for the application to be complete, foreign applicants must provide:

• A package of personal documents, including a student visa or residence permit, a valid passport, health insurance,
• Academic certificates from the previous place of study: certificate of complete secondary education, certificate of preparatory course, bachelor's diploma or master's diploma,
• English proficiency test results: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Duolingo, or an academy-recognized equivalent. A level of B2 and above is considered necessary for comfortable learning,
• Portfolio, letters of recommendation, individual achievements.

The academy's scholarship fund supports talented international students by helping them pay for academic and other expenses. Over the past year, the foundation has raised around £500,000 in donations, which have been awarded to students as scholarships.

RADA also has a small fund to help in case of difficulties: students can directly contact for help in emergencies (e.g. dental treatment). The amounts paid usually do not exceed £500.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision