Training as an actor is an immersive journey of curiosity, daring and sustained commitment. At Guildford School of Acting (GSA), you will sharpen your technique, expand your expressive range, and deepen both your creativity and your professional confidence. We will help you develop your imagination, range, skills and technique. You will learn how to prepare for rehearsal, how to rehearse and how to use independent and proactive processes to achieve your best work possible.
We draw on a wide variety of techniques and traditions; Stanislavsky, Lecoq, Hagen, Laban, Bogart, among others, ensuring you develop a grounding in both physical and psychological approaches. Whether for stage, screen, radio or new media, you will learn through rigorous studio work, ensemble practice, screen and voice-based training, and exposure to live performance, preparing you to thrive in today’s diverse performance landscape.
We are ranked 1st in the UK for drama and music in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026, and 3rd in the UK for dance, drama and cinematics in The Complete University Guide 2026.
The tutors often talk about how acting is essentially about exploring the human condition, and that’s precisely what I love. Being able to put myself in the shoes of a different person in a completely different situation, maybe even in a different country or century is so endlessly fascinating... Actor training is also such an amazing place to play and fail and laugh and try again. You learn so much about yourself and make some very close friends in the process.
Read Molly's recap about training at GSA here.
What you will study
Drawing on the teaching and practices of Stanislavsky and Lecoq, our BA Acting course will develop your technical skills. You’ll learn important critical and evaluative skills, and develop your imagination through play, improvisation and scene work. You’ll also take screen acting classes and complete film and radio projects that allow you to explore the processes needed in today’s recorded media.
You’ll attend classes and workshops with guest speakers to develop your professional network and employment opportunities. As you come to the end of your course, you’ll complete your transition to professional performer with a final industry showcase - with invited agents and industry guests.
Over the three years, you’ll study modules in:
- Acting fundamentals: voice, movement, text-analysis; developing expressive, psycho-physical technique.
- Rehearsal practice: scene work, classical and contemporary texts, collaborating with directors and peers.
- Screen & Media Work: classes in screen acting, radio, short film projects; editing and recording tasks.
- Embodied Voice & Movement: building physical and vocal literacy, expressive clarity, character embodiment.
- Collaborative and Devised Work: ensemble work, improvisation, devising original material.
- Professional Practice & Industry Connections: guest workshops, showcase for agents, skills in auditioning, and self-generated work.
In your final year, you’ll participate in public productions and an industry showcase to bridge into professional work.
Programme structure
The academic year is divided into three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. All modules are either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
To view course structure and modules, please click here
Disclaimer: Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
To view the entry requirements please click here
Entry is also subject to successful audition. Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to complete the programme may also be considered.
For more information about auditions, please visit AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
A non-refundable audition fee will be charged.
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate programmes
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it. Find out more about bursaries and scholarships.
Experienced staff in our International Student Office are available to help from the moment you consider studying at the University. We offer professional advice on immigration, visa issues, entry qualifications, pre-departure information, employment regulations and international student welfare.
Our graduates have an unrivalled employment record in West End shows, national tours, television, radio and film. Our very distinguished alumni include performers such as:
- Brenda Blethyn OBE
- Bill Nighy
- Ella Balinska
- Owen Teale
- Celia Imrie
- Jonjo O’Neill
- Alexandra Mardell
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith MBE
- Danielle Fiamanya
- Tam Mutu
- Caroline Sheen
- Rob Kazinsky
- Jade Anouka
- Chris Geere
- Emma Barton
- Justin Fletcher MBE
- T'Nia Miller
- Stephen Carlile
- Maiya Quansah-Breed
- Grace Mouat
- Bronagh Waugh
Our alumni have also secured employment in numerous regional theatres, opera and ballet companies, arts venues, scenic construction and prop-making companies, corporate events and lighting, sound and video hire companies, as well as attaining management and creative production roles for major venues and production companies including the Really Useful Group, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, the National Theatre, the BBC, the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, ATG Theatres and PRG Dubai. Other career paths have included teaching and outreach work.
Theatre (West End)
- The Effect, The Royal National Theatre
- Richard III, The Royal Shakespeare Company
- Warhorse, New London Theatre
- Strangers on a Train, Gielgud Theatre
- Chariots of Fire, Gielgud and Hampstead Theatres
- The Rivals, Theatre Royal, Haymarket
- The Mousetrap, St Martin’s Theatre
- The Tempest, The Old Vic
- The 39 Steps, Criterion Theatre
Film
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Working Title
- Calendar Girls, Buena Vista Productions
- Defiance, Paramount Pictures
- Nanny McPhee, Universal Pictures
- Pacific Rim, Warner Bros
- Red Tails, 20th Century Fox
- What a Girl Wants, Warner Brothers
- Saving Grace, 20th Century Fox
- The Prince & Me: Elephant Adventure, First Look Studios
- The Prince & Me 4: Royal Adventures in Paradise, First Look Studios
- Love Actually, Universal Pictures
- 28 Days Later, 20th Century Fox
Television
- Vera, ITV
- Death In Paradise, BBC
- Waterloo Road, BBC
- Death Comes to Pemberley, BBC
- The Great Train Robbery
- A Copper’s Tale, BBC
- Doctor Who "Day of the Doctor", BBC
- My Mad Fat Diary, E4
- Game of Thrones, HBO
- The Café, Sky 1
- Holby City, BBC
- Casualty, BBC
- Doctors, BBC
- Silk, BBC
- Midsomer Murders, ITV
- Stella, Sky 1
- Call the Midwife, BBC
- Fresh Meat, E4
- True Blood, HBO
- Hollyoaks, Channel 4
- Trollied, Sky 1
Why study at GSA
Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is one of the UK’s leading accredited drama schools, providing dedicated conservatoire training within a purpose-built environment on the University of Surrey campus.
GSA operates a pedagogic approach that utilises student-centred learning. Every module has an ethos of nurturing and enabling employability and personal development opportunities for the students. Our working practices encourage dialogue and are most effective when a collaborative approach is undertaken. Our learning environment grants our students the freedom to take risks and to 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 in the UK, Europe and the US.
We are ranked 1st in the UK for drama and music in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026, and 3rd in the UK for dance, drama and cinematics in The Complete University Guide 2026.
96.3% of our BA (Hons) Acting students are satisfied with the learning opportunities and academic support we provide (National Student Survey (NSS) 2025).
100% of our BA (Hons) Acting graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA).
GSA is accredited by the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS).
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