RADA was founded on the principle that all students with talent can train regardless of their background and circumstances. Our Scholarship fund ensures that the most talented students can train here by reducing the economic barriers many students face when pursuing their training.
Tuition fees for UK (Home) undergraduates are currently £9,250 per year, and we estimate that students also incur maintenance costs of approximately £14,000 (over 10 months) to cover standard living expenses such as rent, food, travel and course materials.
The Wayne Sleep Foundation Awards are medium to large sized grants given to individuals who have obtained a place at a higher education Arts Institution, and are specifically to be put toward accommodation and living costs.
In previous years, the Foundation has supported students who have gained places at: Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, Central School of Speech and Drama, Dance for All, Elmhust School for Dance, Hammond School, Laine Theatre Arts, London Studio Centre, Northern Ballet School, Rambert School, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Ballet School, Royal College of Music.
The Foundation has also supported organisations and projects, including those organised by: Central School of Ballet, Circus Arts, British Ballet Organisation, Dance Forward Summer and Easter Schools, Dance Northern Ireland, Dance Teachers’ Benevolent Fund, English National Ballet School, Fertile Ground, Liverpool Theatre School, National Ballet of Cuba, One Dance UK, Peter Darrell Trust, Rambert School, Royal Academy of Dance, Urbana Academy, and Yorkshire Ballet Seminars.
For: producers, artistic directors, people working in youth theatre, access coordinators, facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.
This session will cover how Prime Theatre approach pastoral care and supporting the teenagers they work with, including support inside and outside of the rehearsal room and care practices.
We think it's important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector.
Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.
In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.
This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience. All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.
For: facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.
This session, led by Mortal Fools, will explore how to adapt a session when working with young people with different access requirements, to ensure everyone in the room can feel heard and enjoy themselves.
We think it's important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector.
Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.
In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.
This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience. All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.
For: producers, artistic directors, people working in youth theatre, access coordinators, facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.
Back in March 2023, 20 Stories High joined forces with their theatre mates from London and worked with over 60 Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent young people and young adults from across the country, from Liverpool, London, Leeds, Chester, and Manchester.
They collected all of the thoughts, ideas, and provocations to develop a practical, step-by-step guide aimed at helping arts organisations and venues take significant strides toward making the arts more accessible for young audiences, participants, and artists - which they’ll share and discuss in this session.
We think it's important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector.
Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.
In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.
This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience. All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.
Is money stopping you from taking part in music, dance or drama?
We grant music bursaries, dance bursaries and drama bursaries up to £1,000 each, to talented young people aged 12-25 who can’t afford to access opportunities in the arts. A bursary typically pays for a year’s part time dance, music or drama classes, and it can be used to cover some other expenses and costs too, including tuition fees at drama school.
We open applications for bursaries several times a year, and the next deadline is 30 October 2025. If you apply after this, we’ll consider your application in the next round.
Through RADA Connect we aim to support applicants currently underrepresented at RADA, in higher education and in the industry. We also aim to reduce financial barriers to applying; help applicants feel prepared for their interview or audition process; build community and connection and help create a sense of belonging.
We want you to feel creative, inspired and like you belong here.
RADA Connect supports applicants to our BA (Hons) in Acting and Foundation Degree in Technical Theatre and Stage Management with a free application, online and in-person workshops, advice and support for eligible applicants.
We know that applying to drama schools can be daunting. Especially when there is so much choice! The Stage’s How to Choose Your Drama School edition is full of expert industry advice to help you navigate your next steps.
Whether you're interested in acting, technical theatre, or other performance pathways, this essential guide will give you a clearer picture of your options and what to consider when applying.
This year’s special edition comes out October 16 and this year, you can access the digital edition for free!
Simply sign up via the link, and a free digital edition will land in your inbox on October 16, packed-full with drama school advice.
