A guide to the best universities and schools for studying theater and cinema with up-to-date university rankings.
Theater schools in Britain are a popular educational destination that attracts thousands of international students. Studying at top universities and theater academies will give you the opportunity to get in touch with the rich and unique culture of Britain, gain practical skills and establish professional contacts for the future.
Many universities in Britain have become the real alma mater of successful theater and film workers. Britain's education system has evolved over the centuries, since the founding of the first and most influential university in 1076 - Oxford. In Britain, a large number of ancient theater schools continue to operate today, harmoniously combining tradition with innovation. A distinctive feature of theater schools is close cooperation with government and commercial organizations, as well as interesting internships for students. If you are ambitious and ready for serious investment, then a theater education in Britain is what you are looking for!
Best drama, dance and cinematics universities in Britain 2026 | Complete University Guide
| Rank | Institution | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | York | |
| 2 | Exeter | |
| 3 | Lancaster | |
| 4 | Manchester | |
| 5 | Warwick | |
| 6 | Aberdeen | |
| 7 | Glasgow | |
| 8 | East Anglia (UEA) | |
| 9 | Bristol | |
| 10 | Edinburgh | |
| 11 | Surrey | |
| 12 | Birmingham | |
| 13 | Leeds | |
| 14 | Queen Mary, University of London | |
| 15 | Edinburgh Napier | |
| 16 | Guildhall School of Music and Drama | |
| 17 | Royal Holloway, University of London | |
| 18 | The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama | |
| 19 | Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance | |
| 20 | Reading | |
| 21 | Northumbria | |
| 22 | Nottingham Trent | |
| 23 | Queen's, Belfast | |
| 24 | Queen Margaret University | |
| 25 | University of Wales Trinity Saint David | |
| 26 | Manchester Metropolitan | |
| 27 | University of the West of England (UWE) | |
| 28 | Kent | |
| 29 | Arts University Bournemouth | |
| 30 | Liverpool Hope | |
| 31 | Essex | |
| 32 | Sussex | |
| 33 | Winchester | |
| 34 | Kingston | |
| 35 | Portsmouth | |
| 36 | Plymouth | |
| 37 | London Metropolitan | |
| 38 | Leeds Beckett | |
| 39 | University of the Arts, London | |
| 40 | Hull | |
| 41 | Anglia Ruskin | |
| 42 | Westminster | |
| 43 | Salford | |
| 44 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland | |
| 45 | Gloucestershire | |
| 46 | Coventry | |
| 47 | Roehampton | |
| 48 | Leeds Arts University | |
| 49 | Lincoln | |
| 50 | Oxford Brookes | |
