Drama school auditions 2026 entry- Acting/MT

[Mcmumager]

Annual thread for those with dc about to embark on the rollercoaster of audition season. This is my second time round as my ds did it a couple of years ago. These threads are always really supportive and full of great advice as it’s often hard to explain to others how tough and competitive this process is. Good luck everyone!!

All change with the fee increase at Conti! From their website:

PLEASE NOTE
As a result of the uplift in tuition fees confirmed by the UK Government to £9,790 for September 2026, we are no longer reducing the course hours delivered in the University of Chichester degree programmes or introducing a separate Advanced Vocational Training Certificate (AVT).

My DD did a foundation at Arts Ed whilst working weekends as an assistant teacher at Stagecoach. She found it really tough on the demanding course, working and trying to do self-tapes. She got to third round Oxford School and then didn't get in. She's spending a year working and auditioning so this is her 3rd time round. She's got 2 recalls so far. I'm finding my nerves are shot!!! It's really hard on the YP's and the parents!!!

Does that mean no extra fee but the same hours? I wonder how that has been determined as the fee increase is a lot less than the extra costs. I wonder if it’ll result in a flurry of extra applications.

My DS has just had an offer for MT from Chichester after an audition 2 weeks ago. This was his top choice so he is buzzing. He sent off self tapes to GSA last week but has heard nothing back yet - does anyone know how long after submitting tapes that you hear back? I know a week is nothing and I know GSA is very tough to get into but would be nice to know one way or another.

Yes, the 2-tier course plan has gone! Guessing they must have had quite a reduction in applications. DS now considering applying as he likes the idea of a Foundation there.

Yes, she had her audition there on Saturday. The third round audition is towards the end March, I think, so quite a way off.

It’s hard to remember exactly, as there’s so much going on with all the different applications, but I think it was a couple of weeks.

Congratulations on Chichester!

Does anyone have an upcoming date for a GSA actor Muso audition? Just trying to work out when auditions will be completely finished and all places filled (DS is currently on the reserve list)

We had a no by email about a week after submitting, but that was for Acting. Good luck!

Sorry to hear that and thank you xx

I know there are still MT recalls in March so would expect actor muso to run to then too. They definitely had a round of actor muso last week.

Ah thats good to know when 3rd round would be. Do you know if RB have a few different dates for 3rd Round?
Getting ahead of myself here, but just wondering what happens if two or more audition dates clash. It looks like my DD is going to have LAMDA and RW in the same week ( just praying there will be couple days inbetween for travel) which are towards the end of March too. IF and a big IF she were to get through to RB 3rd round, I’d hope that wasn’t also the same week 🙈

I don’t know if RB have more than one date for the 3rd round, I suppose it depends how many they see during that round and whether they can all be done in one day or not. I would have thought not.
As to audition clashes generally, that must be very common. I know my daughter has already had a clash and is trying to sort it out. It’s proving difficult, as some of these places are very poor at communication and don’t answer emails promptly (or at all, sometimes). I’ve advised my daughter to actually phone the admissions office, but like a lot of young people nowadays, she’s strangely reluctant to do that!

I know Mountview are adamant that you either attend their recall dates in person or you can't be considered. Others are better and have multiple dates so you can ask to move. I am grateful DD has now withdrawn from Mountview as their recall dates for actor muso were right in the middle of her end of year show 😱

You would hope that each place has at least 2 or 3 dates available for final round recalls given that some people may be lucky enough to have more than one to attend. We've unfortunately never been in that position so don't really know how it all works haha

Clashes are bound to happen when trying to schedule before a levels, and between the drama schools own productions and end of year shows. They prob all happen on the same couple of weekends. Nightmare!

Thank you - do you know of anymore offers/reserve list places?

Afraid not. There's a girl on tik tok who auditioned last weekend and still waiting to hear.

Thank you - My DS is now twitchy every Thursday/Friday in case they review his position - nightmare! He's got other second rounds coming up but this is the course he desperately wants

Does anyone have any recommendations for a convenient hotel for a LIPA audition please? (Audition starts very early- 8.15am!) DD has to go by herself, will be travelling by train, so ideally a hotel that is convenient for both… if you stayed somewhere decent you would recommend, I’d be glad to hear about it. Thanks.

We stayed in the Travel lodge not far from the train station and it was decent enough for one night. The walk to LIPA was pretty straightforward.

There's a holiday inn express literally a couple of streets away.

just wanted to jump on the thread and say good luck to all your young people, well done to those with offers.

I was active on here last year (again) as DD went through this process three years in a row, actually turning down BA offers to keep trying for her dream at GSA where she then turned down a BA at RB and Chichester, for a Foundation MT at GSA! I’m pleased to say, much to our relief, she started her BA at GSA in Sept.

You do need nerves of steel snd watching your child go through this is one of the hardest things.

Allowing them to reject an offer which appears ideal it’s important. DD did and we were horrified, but she stayed true to herself and I now think she may have dropped out of she’d taken something her heart wasn’t in, so don’t let it scare you.

Being a little older, has also helped and I think drama schools know that if you’re reapplying again, you want it and will stay the course, so if the offers don’t come, don’t panic.

I see discussions on Foundation years, don’t discount them DD was determined MT was her future when starting her Foundation, but after her year, realised that it wasn’t e everything and she took a step sideways into applied and contemporary theatre and loves it! I can’t imagine what would have happened if she had started on a three year course and had that same thought knowing there were two years left. She had been at a PA college too for 6th form, but still learnt a lot!

if you have any questions, do ask, or just a bit of hand holding, it’s wild out there! 😂

Thank you @Paddlinglikehell for your helpful insights x it is a very stressful time for parents let alone what the YP must be feeling!! Good luck to everyone auditioning over the next few weeks! We have ‘our’ 1st in person coming up next week! Eek 😬🤞