Programme overview
Actors are storytellers. They transport their audience to a different world, evoke their emotions, and connect with them on a level that is both intimate and infinite.
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’s MA Acting course focuses on practical actor training, provided through a series of project workshops and rehearsals supported by extensive classes in relevant technical skills.
Cristo Fernández MA Acting Graduate 2018
Read more Graduate Stories.
What you will study
Our intensive MA Acting course offers you practical actor training focusing on technical skills in acting, voice and movement. These support a range of rehearsal projects, screen acting projects and public performances. You’ll also take professional development workshops and classes in audition techniques.
Your performance opportunities will include a devised project, a final public production led by a production team of industry professionals, and a Digital Screen Showcase.
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 and the US. Our campus boasts great transport links to London, so you’ll be close to the heart of the UK theatre, London’s West End.
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:
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand
Find out all about fees and funding here.
Visit our Scholarships and Bursaries page for more details.
Thinking of continuing your education at Surrey? As an alumnus of Surrey, you may be eligible for a ten percent discount on our taught Master's programme fees.
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/scholarships/discounts-surrey-graduates
Related Courses:
MFA Acting
MA Stage and Production Management
2023 entry requirements
Entry by audition. Students must hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (minimum 2.2 or equivalent), as well as previous engagement with drama, theatre and performance. Offers are made subject to a successful audition and interview.
Applicants who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the course, may also be considered. Variations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
IELTS minimum overall: 6.5
IELTS minimum by component: 6.0 in each element
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or international equivalent)
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.