University Name:
See all universitiesCentral School of Speech & Drama
UCAS Code: C35
Location: North London Show on Map
Site: Single site in Swiss Cottage
Specialist drama & arts college. Part of London University and of the UKADIA group of universities.
Student Population
| Total Students: | 855 |
| Undergraduates: | 65% |
| Postgraduates: | 35% |
| FE Students: | 0% |
Undergraduates
| Total undergraduates: | 555 |
| Male: | 34% |
| Female: | 66% |
| Full Time: | 100% |
| Mature on Entry: | 18% |
| UK Students: | 91% |
| State school entry: | 90% |
Broad study areas
Drama, performing arts & theatre making; arts management; stage management & technical theatre production; design for the stage; drama & media education; applied theatre; voice & movement studies; musical theatre; physical & visual theatre.
Freshers
| Admission Information: | Minimum of 2 A-level passes or equivalent; usually interview or audition. UCAS tariff not used. |
| Points on Entry (Mean): | 324 |
| Drop Out Rate: | 6% |
| Accommodation: | Some first years housed through London University. |
Institution
| Founded: | 1906 |
| Structural features: | A college of London University since 2005. |
| Site: | Single site in Swiss Cottage. |
| How to get there: | Swiss Cottage tube station; rail to Finchley Road & Frognal; many buses. |
| Special features: | Many well-known guest directors and tutors from the theatre, teaching and related professions. |
Student services & facilities
| Student advice & services: | Student counselling and advisory service for finance, careers and disabilities. |
| Accommodation: | Central has no accommodation of its own. Some catered places in London University halls, rents £143−£211 per week; private halls, from £85 pw for shared room, to £300 for single ensuite. College runs accommodation advice service June–October, to help students find private accommodation; rents locally £110–£170 pw self-catering, £100–£120 pw further afield. |
Study opportunities & careers
| Library & information services: | 38,000 items, across a range of media, 50 journal subscriptions, 200 e-journals, 180 e-books, electronic bibliographic databases etc. Also access to Senate House library. Information provision, £50 pa spent for each student (FTE). Separate IT department. Open-access computers in library, 30 in computer room, all with internet access; also 18 in media lab. On-site support from IT and library staff, induction for new students; weekly IT clinics. |
| Other learning resources: | Media services providing digital sound and video editing, camcorders and data projectors. Proscenium theatre (seating 230); 14 modern studios and range of design studios, editing suites and workshop facilities, lecture theatres, full drama technical workshops. |
Money
| Living expenses budget: | Minimum budget of £8500–£16,500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by Central. |
| Term-time work: | Some jobs occasionally in School (eg student bar, library). |
| Financial help: | Some scholarships of £3000 in Year 1 for students whose family income is up to £25k pa. Various other awards and bursaries. |
| University tuition fees: | Home students pay £9000 pa for first degrees. International students pay £15,450−£17,210 pa. |
Courses
Academic features:
Unique provision of academic study and professional/practical training in related fields of performance arts and theatre-making, drama for specific communities, education, stage management and technical theatre production & design.
Awarding body:
University of London.
Main undergraduate awards:
BA
Length of courses:
3 years.
Main subjects offered:
- Acting
- Drama
- Education
- Movement Studies
- Performance Arts
- Speech Sciences
- Stage Management
- Teacher Training
- Theatre Design
- Theatre Studies
- Three-Dimensional Design
Student view
Hannah Bourgault (2nd year BA Drama, Applied Theatre & Education)
Living
What’s it like as a place to live? Willesden Green’s quite nice. Good transport links.
How’s the student accommodation? No university accommodation – all self-found residence.
What’s the student population like? Friendly, quite cliquey after first term, generally open-minded.
How do students and locals get on? No particular interaction.
Studying
What’s it like as a place to study? Interesting, small compared to other unis but that makes it more of a community.
What are the teaching staff like? Interested in what the students have to say; know their stuff.
Socialising
What are student societies like? Only one society but poorly attended – degrees demand a lot of time so students don’t ask for them.
What’s a typical night out? SU bar then to Camden/walkabout.
And how much does it cost? £20ish.
How can you get home safely? Night buses/taxis.
Money
Is it an expensive place to live? YES (it is London!)
Average price of a pint? £3.10.
And the price of a takeaway? £6 minimum.
What’s the part-time work situation? Can get a job at SU bar but small so few opportunities. Jobs are self-motivated and not linked to uni. Jobs noticeboard has industry jobs (that have been sent to SU President).
Summary
What’s the best/worst feature about the place? Both the best and worst: small uni so everyone knows everyone else – part of a community but also results in a lot of gossip.
And to sum it all up? It’s a drama school – does what it says on the tin.
Past Students
Peggy Ashcroft, Jerome Flynn, Wendy Craig, Graham Norton, Lynn Redgrave, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Amanda Donohoe, Carrie Fisher, Dawn French, Vanessa Redgrave, Cameron Mackintosh, Tony Robinson, Jennifer Saunders, Zoe Wanamaker, Deborah Warner, James Nesbitt, Christopher Ecclestone.
More info?
Ring SU President on 020 7559 3944.
Contact
Address:
The Central School of Speech and Drama
Embassy Theatre
62-64 Eton Avenue
London
NW3 3HY
Tel:
020 7722 8183
Email:
Website:
Student enquiries:
Registry.
Application:
UCAS
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