The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, commonly called Central, is a specialist drama school and conservatoire within the University of London. Founded in 1906 by Elsie Fogerty as the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, it provides training in speech and drama. Central became a constituent college of the University of London in 2005 and is a member of Conservatoires UK and the Federation of Drama Schools.
 

Central offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, research, and short courses. These include acting, actor training, applied theatre, theatre crafts and making, design, drama therapy, movement, musical theatre, performance, producing, puppetry, research, scenography, stage management, teacher training, technical arts, voice, and writing. The school combines practical training with a highly ranked research programme focused on new performance practices.
 

In 2006, the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art was absorbed into Central. On 29 November 2012, Queen Elizabeth II awarded the school the ‘Royal’ title in recognition of its reputation as a world-class institution for professional training in theatre and performance studies. Princess Alexandra of Kent, the school’s Patron, recommended the institution for this title. The school continues to be informally known as Central.

Central is located in Swiss Cottage, north London, within a growing civic and cultural quarter. Its main building, which includes the school theatre, holds a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’ for environmental performance. The campus is urban and hosts approximately 930 students in 2023/24, including 595 undergraduates and 335 postgraduates.
 

The school is chaired by John Willis. The Chancellor of the University of London is Anne, Princess Royal. Josette Bushell-Mingo serves as the Principal. Past presidents include Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft, Judi Dench, Peter Mandelson, Harold Pinter, Michael Grandage, and current president Sonia Friedman.

In the 2025 QS World University Subject Rankings, Central is ranked 33rd worldwide for theatre arts, performing arts education, and drama leadership. It is also placed 139th in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. These rankings reflect its strong reputation in the performing arts sector.

Central’s research is significant, covering theatre-making, performance, and their wider cultural, social, political, and economic contexts. It has over 20 doctoral candidates and awarded its first PhD in 2010. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise judged most of its research as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

In the year ending 31 July 2023, Central’s total income was £12.8 million. The school maintains a broad and diverse faculty and offers Europe’s widest range of drama, theatre, and performance programmes. It is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama was founded in 1906 by Elsie Fogerty. She established the school, originally named the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, with the aim of offering new and focused training in speech and drama for young actors and students interested in the performing arts. The school was set up to provide practical education in voice, speech, and acting, responding to a growing need for specialised training in these fields.
 

For much of the early 20th century, the school developed its programmes and reputation in speech training and dramatic art. It became known for combining practical training with an understanding of dramatic literature and performance. Over the decades, it expanded its courses to include a wider range of theatre and performance disciplines.

In 2005, the Central School of Speech and Drama became a constituent college of the University of London, marking an important change in its status and integration into a larger academic institution. This step helped the school expand its academic offerings and gain broader recognition.

In 2006, the school absorbed the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, another respected drama school. This merger brought together two important institutions and added to the school’s resources and student body.

On 29 November 2012, Queen Elizabeth II granted the school the right to use the title "Royal" in recognition of its reputation as a provider of professional training in theatre and performance studies. The school was renamed The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. This title was granted following a recommendation by Princess Alexandra of Kent, who serves as the school’s Patron. Despite the new name, the school continues to be commonly known as Central.
 

The school is based in Swiss Cottage, north London. Its location is part of a developing civic and cultural area. The main school building includes a theatre and was awarded a BREEAM rating of "very good" for its environmental performance. Over time, the school has expanded its facilities to better serve its students and staff.
 

Central’s governance has included notable figures in theatre and public life. Its past presidents have included Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft, Judi Dench, Peter Mandelson, Harold Pinter, and Michael Grandage. Currently, Sonia Friedman, a theatre producer and former student of the school, holds the presidency. The school is chaired by John Willis, and Josette Bushell-Mingo serves as Principal.

The school has grown to offer a broad range of courses in acting, theatre crafts, production, drama therapy, and research. It has placed a strong emphasis on combining practical training with academic research. In 2010, Central awarded its first PhD and has since maintained a research culture recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent.
 

In recent years, Central has continued to develop its programmes to include contemporary forms of theatre, digital performance, and applied theatre, aiming to prepare students for a range of careers in performance, education, and creative industries. As of 2023/24, the school serves approximately 930 students, including undergraduate and postgraduate learners.
 

Today, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama remains a leading institution in theatre education and research, committed to training artists and practitioners who engage with communities and cultural networks both in the UK and internationally.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama offers a wide range of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, research, and short course levels. These courses cover many areas related to theatre, performance, and drama, providing practical training and academic study.
 

At the undergraduate level, Central offers various Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degrees, most of which run for three years full-time. The BA (Hons) Acting programmes include three specialisations: Contemporary and Devised, Classical and Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. The Contemporary and Devised course trains students to work across theatre, TV, film, and audio, encouraging them to develop skills as makers of their own performances. The Classical and Contemporary course immerses students in both traditional and modern theatre, preparing them as performers who understand theatrical heritage alongside creative innovation. The Musical Theatre course combines acting with extensive training in singing and dancing, allowing students to perform in musicals as well as classical and modern plays.
 

Central also offers BA degrees in various technical and creative areas. The BA (Hons) Costume Production course teaches advanced skills in pattern cutting, garment construction, and costume supervision for live and screen performances. The BA (Hons) Drama and Applied Theatre course focuses on training students who want to use the arts as a means for social change, preparing them to work as critical practitioners, educators, and performance makers in communities. The BA (Hons) Performance and Contemporary Arts programme explores innovative art forms including digital performance, supporting students to challenge traditional methods and develop professional skills in arts and culture.

The BA (Hons) Performance Design degree offers training in design for theatre and live performance. Students learn about performance space and architecture, costume, lighting, sound and video design, immersive installations, and visual dramaturgy. Practical work and industry placements form an important part of this course. The BA (Hons) Production Arts: Props, Painting and Set course develops technical and creative skills for those interested in creating theatrical productions, films, and live events, with a focus on sustainable materials and new technologies. The BA (Hons) Production Technologies and Stage Management programme prepares students for careers as stage managers, lighting or sound specialists, or production technicians, emphasising inclusivity, technology, and sustainability.

Another undergraduate degree is the BA (Hons) Writing for Performance, which is aimed at those interested in writing for stage, screen, and socially engaged contexts. This course combines creative practice with critical thinking and explores new forms of performance writing.

Central also offers a range of short courses. For example, there is an introduction to the Sesame approach in Drama and Movement Therapy, combining online and in-person sessions. There is also a practical two-day course in Motion Capture for Performance, where performers learn to work with motion capture technology in a studio environment.
 

At the postgraduate level, Central offers Master of Arts degrees across several fields. These include MA Acting (Classical and Contemporary), MA Acting for Screen, MA Applied Theatre, MA Drama and Movement Therapy, and MA Musical Theatre: Acting and Performance. Each is a one-year full-time programme, with some flexibility in attendance for certain courses.
 

The MA/MFA Actor Training and Coaching programme is designed to develop practical understanding of acting rather than training actors directly. It prepares students to work as actor trainers, coaches, theatre practitioners, or directors of actors. The MA/MFA Advanced Theatre Practice offers a collaborative environment for practical experimentation and the creation of new work for public performance. The MFA option extends the study to two years full-time.

These courses combine practical workshops, performances, research, and critical study, preparing students for professional careers in theatre, performance, education, and related creative industries. Central’s courses are regularly updated to reflect developments in theatre and performance, including new technologies and contemporary practices.

Students benefit from expert teaching staff, professional industry connections, and access to excellent facilities, including theatres and studios in the school’s London campus. The broad curriculum at Central supports students to develop the skills, knowledge, and creativity needed to contribute to the future of theatre and performance worldwide.

• Ranked 33rd worldwide in the 2025 QS World University Subject Rankings for theatre arts, performing arts education, and drama leadership.
• Placed 139th in the UK according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
• Recognised as a leading specialist institution in theatre and performance studies.
• Holds membership in Conservatoires UK and the Federation of Drama Schools, confirming its status among top drama schools.
• Research quality rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

Approximately 85% of students secure professional roles within six months of completing their studies. These positions include acting, theatre production, stage management, drama education, and creative industries. The school supports students through career services and industry connections to help them find placements. The job integration rate reflects Central’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the performing arts sector.

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