RADA: An introduction

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) offers vocational training for actors, stage managers, directors, designers and technical stage craft specialists.

RADA was established in 1904 and has built an outstanding reputation as a world-renowned centre of excellence, offering the best possible facilities, exceptional teaching and strong links with the industries that employ our graduates. RADA’s student population is a diverse community, united by a shared passion for theatre-making. The Academy prides itself both on the professional standard of its student productions, which are attended by agents, casting directors and theatre practitioners, and on their track-record of employment in theatre, film and television.

Many of our most celebrated graduates still play a very active part in RADA’s life. They share our belief in the Academy’s need to retain close links with the profession, keep our training relevant and remain open to all people with exceptional talent.

Among the many things which are distinctive to RADA is the extraordinary level of personalisation throughout all the training – the skills of highly experienced specialists are harnessed in providing a training tailored to the needs of each individual student.

Access

We consider diversity to be enriching and a vital part of what makes us one of the world leaders in providing vocational training. We encourage the opportunity for self-development regardless of age, background, disability, gender, nationality, political persuasion, race, religious belief or sexual orientation. We welcome applications from applicants with disabilities and encourage them to disclose relevant information regarding any disability when completing their application form, to enable us to provide additional support during the interview process. There is more information for disabled applicants on the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama website.

Conservatoire for Dance and Drama

RADA is an affiliate school of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama (CDD). Students registered at RADA on funded courses are also jointly registered with the Conservatoire.

The Conservatoire was established in 2001 as a new higher education institution created to secure the future of professional training in dance, drama and circus arts in England. Each of its eight affiliates is a small, specialist school offering some of the best training in dance, drama and circus arts to be found in the world. As a publicly funded higher education institution, the Conservatoire ensures that students at its affiliate schools receive subsidised training. This helps us to achieve our aim of taking students based on talent irrespective of background.

As well as RADA there are seven further Conservatoire schools. These are:

• Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
• Central School of Ballet
• London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA)
• London Contemporary Dance School
• Northern School of Contemporary Dance
• Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance
• The Circus Space

RADA is a founding affiliate of this higher education institution.

King's College London

All of our higher education courses are validated by King's College London. For information of which courses this applies to please see the individual courses pages.

RADA Enterprises Ltd

RADA Enterprises provides a vital source of income to RADA. Over the past eleven years over £3million has been contributed to the Academy, helping us to train the actors and technicians of the future. The support we receive from RADA Enterprises means that no student accepted onto our BA Acting and Technical Theatre Stage Management courses has ever been turned away due to lack of funds.

For more information on RADA Enterprises and for details of the services they provide, please visit their website.

Drama UK

RADA’s BA in Acting and two year Technical Theatre and Stage Management courses are accredited by Drama UK.