Guildford School of Acting (GSA) at the University of Surrey is one of the most highly regarded theatre schools in the UK with a vibrant community of performers, performance makers, applied theatre practitioners, creative practitioners and technicians graduating from our wide variety of programmes each year.

Building on a 90-year heritage and our reputation as arguably the leading musical theatre school in the world, we are passionate about helping our students develop the practical, interpersonal and intellectual skills needed in today’s highly competitive and ever-evolving creative industry.

GSA offers world-class training at Foundation (CertHE), Undergraduate, and Postgraduate levels, delivered in our state-of-the-art facilities or via online distance learning. We also offer short courses, summer schools, and professional development programmes.

GSA operates a pedagogic approach that utilises student-centred, practice-based learning. Every module has an ethos of nurturing and enabling employability and personal development opportunities for the students. Our learning environment grants our students the freedom to take risks and embrace spontaneity.

We keep our cohorts small to ensure you get personal attention and contact from our expert teachers, who have extensive first-hand experience in professional theatre all over the world.

Guildford School of Acting achieved a 90.3% satisfaction score for teaching quality and 90.7% for academic support in the National Student Survey, highlighting our commitment to excellence in both education and student care.

3rd in the UK for drama, dance, and cinematics (Complete University Guide 2026).

Top 3 university for Student Experience (The Times 2025).

98.9% of our students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA).

Guildford is ranked the safest university town in England and Wales by the Complete University Guide (February 2025).

Shortlisted for the University of the Year title at the Times Higher Education Awards 2024.

Best University Careers Service award winner at the National University Employability Awards 2022.