Find your creative voice through the craft of acting
OSD
Welcome to The Oxford School of Drama
Nestled in the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside, The Oxford School of Drama is a world-leading conservatoire offering dynamic and challenging actor training in a supportive and inspirational environment.
Craft, collaboration, and creativity are at the centre of what we do. We are firm believers in the transformative power of storytelling, which we explore through a collaborative curriculum that forges dynamic connections between the disciplines of acting, movement, and voice.
The school is based in a stunning set of old farm buildings converted into a collection of beautifully designed indoor
and outdoor spaces. OSD’s connection to nature will ground you and give you the space to grow.
We are a small team of staff and tutors passionate about exploring multiple ways of telling stories. Our size allows us to take a highly individualised approach to your development as an artist and individual.
This is a space where the support and passion of our tutors and staff allow you to discover who you are before you enter the industry. Enter our community ready to challenge yourself and grow as an artist and person. At OSD, you’ll be empowered to find your creative voice through the craft of Acting.
Three Year Acting Course
This dynamic and demanding course is based on the values of classical acting, adapted to suit the needs of the contemporary world and the artists of today.
The course is practical, not theoretical, and provides thorough training in vocal, physical, and imaginative techniques. These techniques will support you in discovering your full creative potential. Our approach will allow you to continue learning and developing beyond these three years and throughout your professional life.
As a year group company, you will be taught in classes and through regular one-to-one tutorials. During the training, you will have many opportunities to work collaboratively with leading practitioners, directors, and artists from theatre, film, and television and to meet key industry casting directors and agents.
In your final term, you will transition into the performing arts industry by relocating to London. During your time in London, you will spend four weeks in the rehearsal room with a professional Writer and Director, developing a new play to be performed in London venues such as the Southwark Playhouse and the Soho Theatre. You will also meet with Casting Directors, take part in research and development projects, and begin the transition from training actors to professional actors.
Qualification
Level 6 Diploma in Professional Acting validated by Trinity College, London and regulated by Ofqual.
Entry is by audition only
Entry is by audition only - You must be over the age of eighteen when the course is due to start in September 2025. No academic qualifications are required to enter the course.
Photo: Harvey Lodge
One Year Acting Course
This is a dynamic and intensive course that takes place across four terms in a full calendar year. It is designed for those with some experience in the performing arts or higher education or those who can discover, stretch and realise their potential as creative artists over a year of training. As a year group company, you will be taught in group classes, developing your professionalism, collaboration and technical skills through ensemble learning and individual tutorials.
We expect you to be bold and fearless in your willingness to understand yourself and be prepared to be open and curious whilst experimenting with new methods of working. You will have opportunities to collaborate with leading practitioners, directors, writers and industry professionals throughout your training.
The year culminates in London, where you will work with professional Directors and Writers to develop a new play commissioned by the school. This is a deeply rewarding time where you will experience a professional rehearsal process and be part of the development of a new piece of writing with industry professionals.
Qualification
Level 5 Diploma in Professional Acting validated by Trinity College, London and regulated by Ofqual.
Entry is by audition only
Entry is by audition only - You must be over the age of twenty-one when the course is due to start in September 2025. No academic qualifications are required to enter the course.
Photo: Omi Mantri
Six Month Acting Foundation Course
This is a rewarding course that will introduce you to a range of performance methods and techniques. It’s both challenging and fun – and helps you to develop your creativity and build your confidence. Over the course you will start to establish the beginnings of an acting craft that will be invaluable for your future should that be in further training or another creative path.
The course is full-time and lasts for two terms.
Taught mainly by our One and Three Year Acting Course tutors, it gives you a taste and insight into vocational actor training at a top drama school.
Graduates of the Foundation Course have gone on to train on our own Three Year Course and at other leading drama schools including RADA, LAMDA, Manchester and Guildhall, but also to study unrelated subjects at all the major universities. As the course has been running for over 25 years, graduates are now pursuing successful careers on the stage and screen.
Entry is by audition only
You must be over eighteen when the course is due to start in September 2025. No academic qualifications are required to enter the course.
Photo: Omi Mantri
Six Month Acting with Musical Theatre Foundation Course
This rewarding course will introduce you to a range of acting, singing, and dance techniques to develop a foundation for the multiple skills needed for musical theatre. It will help prepare you for your next steps, whether you plan to train in acting or musical theatre or take any other creative path.
The course is full-time and lasts for two terms. Taught by leading industry practitioners, including our One and Three Year Course Acting tutors, it gives you a taste and insight into vocational training in performance at a top drama school.
This dynamic course will nurture your creativity, develop your performance abilities and build your confidence.
Entry is by audition only
You must be over eighteen when the course is due to start in September 2025. No academic qualifications are required to enter the course.
Photo: Omi Mantri
Student Support
We know that actor training can place demands on your physical and emotional energy, so we place great emphasis on providing the care and support you need throughout your training.
The School manages a comprehensive pastoral care system to support you through your training. Our students have access to a professional counselling service 24/7, 365 days of the year absolutely free of charge.
Funding
We want to make sure that everyone can get access to actor training so we work hard to ensure that applicants who are offered a place at the School can get the financial support they need to enable them to train at the School.
Students are able to access funds for course fees and living costs through the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme and Advanced Learner Loan, these are available to students on the Three Year and One Year courses.
Bursaries are available for students for all our courses.
Applying for a course
Entry to the School is by audition only, there are no academic requirements and we do not ask for educational references.
The only way to apply is online via our website at www.oxforddrama.ac.uk/apply
The First Round auditions are via self-tape for all courses. Go to the Apply Now page on the website for everything that you need to apply including great advice from the audition panel for every stage of the audition process.
Photo: Omi Mantri
A Selection of Graduate Work from 2024
Ashley Byam Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare’s Globe Three Year Course 2014
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Tanya Reynolds A Mirror
Olivier Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress
The Almeida Theatre One Year Course 2015
Photo by Marc Brenner
Daniel Bravo Mean Girls
The Savoy Theatre Three Year Course 2020
Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg
Sandro Rosta
The Harmony Test
Professional debut before graduating The Hampstead Theatre Three Year Course 2024
Photo by Richard Lakos
Richard Gadd
Baby Reindeer, writer and actor
Nominated for 11 Emmy Awards
Netflix
One Year Course 2012
English
Royal Shakespeare Company Three Year Course 2022
Salib After Sex The Arcola Theatre One Year Course 2018
Passenger ITV One Year Course 2017
Nojan Khazai
Photo by Richard Davenport
Ella Bruccoleri
Antonia
Photo by Jake Bush
“Oxford taught me
to breathe. That it’s OK to fail as long as you keep learning, and that to be truthful on stage and screen you
have to be truthful to yourself.”
Tanya Reynolds, Olivier Award Nominee. One Year Course 2012
The Oxford School of Drama
Sansomes Farm Studios
Woodstock
Oxford OX20 1ER
Tel: 01993 812883 info@oxforddrama.ac.uk
All photography by Geraint Lewis unless specified otherwise.
Photo: Sophie Thornton