Drama school auditions 2026 entry- acting/mt- continued

[Mcmumager]

As the original thread is reaching its limits I’ve started a new one for those still wanting advice/support on this crazy journey.

@Biscuitsneeded@warwickdrama Thanks for your replies. This all seems very complicated and frankly unclear, especially when it’s the first time navigating your way through it. It would be very helpful if UCAS, Conservatoires UCAS and the Federation of Drama Schools could issue an official step by step guide on managing applications and offers.

I think once UCAS deadlines are passed, if you are offered a place from the reserve list you can probably accept it directly and withdraw from UCAS. But this is why I would put MST first choice for now, to make sure that one is banked. I agree it's all very confusing but it's such a niche area - just get your DD to phone Birmingham and ask what she should do. I see it that the drama schools are obliged to offer applications via UCAS if they award degrees from a named University (and thus come under the student finance eligibility) but may well do their own thing because the UCAS deadlines don't make sense for them.

Congratulations to all your DCs and huge well done for putting themselves out there, whatever the results! I've loved following their progress and picking up bits of wisdom 😁 Looking ahead to next year - I'm seeing lots of stress related to how long it's taking for schools to send decisions at this point, and the issue that lots of places will already have been allocated and confirmed. Makes me wonder what people's thoughts/experiences are re timing of applications. I know it's swings and roundabouts - more places still open if you apply earlier, versus more time in training if you apply late, but I'd be interested to know your thoughts. DS has very happily accepted a Foundation in Acting at Arts Ed so will be going again next year.

All the very best to your ds

Thank you, he's very happy! 🤗 He's quite young in his ways so I think a foundation is the right choice. Same to your daughter, really hoping she gets good news from Central! Central C + C is my son's dream course, and the chance to go for that next year was a factor in choosing his foundation over degrees elsewhere. Keeping everything crossed for you!

Thank you. I sincerely hope all the dc's get where they want to be

My daughter did this 2 years running. She accepted on UCAS 2 years ago then changed it in April.
Last year, she had accepted in April and then withdrew in July. You just need to speak to the reserve list directly and accept with them that way. They are used to this. Tell them another offer is being accepted but if they come off reserve, they will go there instead. They are used to this procedure.
I explained in another comment somewhere (not sure if here or another forum) that we are all conditioned to think that UCAS is the be all and end all for our decisions, but that's our conditioning from all the 'normal' uni applications as it is all coordinated via UCAS. Most drama schools contact us directly too. I remember the 1st time, UCAS never updated with the new offer (although it was all accepted with Conti) and we kept ringing Conti saying it still wasn't on UCAS. It never appeared on UCAS 😂 but everything went through.
So when the same thing happened last year, we just ignored UCAS. In fact, Conti have come out of UCAS completely now- probably cost and also these reasons.
The drama schools are used to this very scenario. That's why quite a few ask for a deposit when accepting. But MST don't so you're lucky. I lost £500 deposit last year 😬
So just contact them and ask them how you should navigate accepting both. And congratulations on being in such a lovely position x

When doing a foundation, they hold the UCAS applications back a little so they have had chance to train more and tell them when to submit. So they don't usually have chance until the middle. I would definitely say the middle is the sweet spot - the beginning can just extend the wait anyway, as drama schools don't give too many places out at the start. I remember my daughter went to the very first GSA recall audition in the December of her first year of applying and they were told the outcome would only be rejected or waitlist. Because she did everything so early, she accepted a BA offer in Feb so we thought she was all sorted and she cancelled her other auditions. ANd THEN SHE CHANGED HER MIND 😂😂 She had too much time to rethink.
In her 2nd year of applying while on Conti Cert, she did a direct application to a school that was 'less prestigious' quite early on (before her UCAS went in) and it allowed her to try out her new material in an audition, and when she got her offer, it took some pressure away, as she liked it there too. She ultimately didn't go, though, and only got the late July offer from Conti for BA so had to change things anyway 😂
So the middle, with maybe one early on to tip the toe in! 😁
It doesn't stop the long wait, anyway, if waitlists, and final recall auditions. But may help the panic setting in near the end.
Well done for ArtsEd and good luck for next year xx

My DD did an early audition in Dec just to test the waters but did the rest after January. However the available dates for the recalls were quite a few weeks in the future. I think you do need to be strategic in a way as you don’t want “your type” to have already been offered a place when you audition but you also want to be able to potray your talent at its best. Then you have to ensure you don’t catch any respiratory infections as well 🤷🏽‍♀️. I don’t think people doing straightforward UCAS applications, even to Oxbridge or medicine understand the stress

Ah that's very interesting, thanks! I was berating him a bit for not getting his act together earlier this year, but sounds like there are pit falls with doing it that way round too 🙂

Thanks, yes, I think you're right, and also losing the will to live surely comes into play by May! 😂

We did as early as possible to get as much out of the way before a levels. The wait wasn’t too bad as A levels took the mind off it. I think depends on how many applications are being made as it can get hectic if your student has a lot.

@ReklatsI also think it’s good your DD first choice is different to where he will be doing a foundation. I have heard the advise not to do a foundation at your top choice as the chances of getting in to the BA are slim and I wonder if the people doing a foundation there are actually disadvantaged.
Sadly I think the same is true for degree courses with sixth forms …….

The only way it is a disadvantage is that they compare your scores this year against your scores when got accepted for foundation to check there is progression (I was told this by the course leader directly when I asked the question). I think this is also true with some if you've auditioned the previous year and done a foundation elsewhere - that's why some ask if you've auditioned with them before.
I will always say, however, that my daughter would not be on her Acting MT BA now if she hadn't done the Cert with them first, as she was asked to re-audition via Teams AFTER they had rejected her for MT and then watched her perform in their Cert show 2 months later.

@contrarydramamumfrom everything I have read your experience seems the exception rather than the norm?

What have you read? I'm basing it on experiences from my daughter's school and friends at ither schools rather than what I've read. I said what the actual course leader told me about comparing scores? I'd say 25% of the 100 Italia Conti Cert cohort got BA in 2025. My daughter's experience was unusual, I agree. But they are certainly not disadvantaged by doing a Cert where they hope to do BA - but neither are they advantaged. However, they will always have them on their cv.

@contrarydramamumin previous years threads, student room and Facebook, in addition to what I have been told by other parents. I am happy to be corrected though.

That's interesting, thanks. To be honest, I am slightly concerned he'll fall in love with ArtsEd (already halfway there after his recall) as we can't afford degree, so hopefully he'll benefit from the course and come out with good offers next year, even if ArtsEd degree isn't one of them.

Does anyone know if Central auditions are over yet?

Oh bless you, they're still keeping you hanging on??! 😫

My dd is on the waitlist for c&c. I don't think we'll hear anything until all the auditions are finished

does anyone know of all offers and waitlists for central C&C are out? x

My daughter is still waiting to hear about C and D at. Central Have those offers gone out yet ?

We phoned today to chase C&D 2nd round and the call triggered a rejection update to UCAS at some point through the day, at least we know so that we can moved forward!

has anyone heard of any movement on the Laine reserve list