Royal Academy of Dramatic Art emblem

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

United Kingdom • Founded 1904

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: rada.ac.uk

Overview

Founded: 1904
Institution Type: Conservatory
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art emblem

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is a drama school in London, founded in 1904.

It provides vocational higher education training for actors, stage managers and technical theatre specialists, offering degree courses such as Acting and Technical Theatre and Stage Management. RADA operates its own theatres and production facilities, which are also used as a public venue, and is registered with the Office for Students.

Helen Slater was appointed as the Academy's ninth Principal and Chief Executive.

Location & Contact

Address, contact details, and online presence for Royal Academy of Dramatic Art are summarised below.

Academic Details

The numbers behind Royal Academy of Dramatic Art: student body, academic staff, and recognising bodies.

Academic Year: 2024/25
Total Students: 195
Female Students: 120

Programs Offered

Search and filter Royal Academy of Dramatic Art's available programmes by degree level.

2 programmes on record. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Honours Degree 1 programme

Foundation 1 programme

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Funding routes available to students in the United Kingdom are listed below.

Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

A five-step path through the application process at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art offers 2 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Each programme at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Apply through UCAS or direct entry

    Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (ucas.com) rather than directly to Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through Royal Academy of Dramatic Art's own admissions portal at www.rada.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Common questions about Royal Academy of Dramatic Art — answers from its published profile.

In what year was Royal Academy of Dramatic Art established?

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art was founded in 1904 (approximately 122 years ago).

Where can I find Royal Academy of Dramatic Art?

The institution is located in London, United Kingdom.

How many students does Royal Academy of Dramatic Art have?

The institution has a student body of 195.

Where can I learn more about Royal Academy of Dramatic Art?

The institution's website is www.rada.ac.uk.

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