Drama Directing

Entry requirements

The specific relevant experience will vary from candidate to candidate and consideration will be given to each individual’s unique experience as part of the application process.

Applicants would normally be expected to have an undergraduate degree, often (but not exclusively) in a related subject area such as Drama, English, Acting, Theatre Studies, Psychology or Performance Studies.

Applicants with relevant alternative or professional experience will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please see “selection process” for further information, or contact our admissions team for further advice.

Relevant experience – be it at undergraduate level or in alternative professional experience – should be supported by evidence of a commitment to direct.

This could include: directing of fringe work, directing of shows whilst at university, a directing or facilitation practice with community, amateur groups or young people, as well undertaking relevant training, i.e. introduction to directing foundation or short courses, participation in workshops or masterclasses with a focus on directing.

Relevant experience also applies to candidates who have also worked in other areas of the industry – for example as an actor, technical creative, stage manager or producer – providing they can support this with evidence of the steps they have taken to develop their directing practice as outlined above.

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through a relevant qualification, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For this course, an overall score of 7.0 is normally required, with a minimum of 7.0 in each component of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please contact our admissions team for further advice.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This postgraduate course covers the artistic, creative and collaborative skills needed to become a confident and effective drama director, capable of leading your own projects and developing work with producing organisations. By working on realised productions staged in professional theatre venues, you will develop a sophisticated understanding of the protocols and processes involved in drama production.

�� Learn your craft through specialist masterclasses led by core staff and visiting industry professionals.

�� An intensive focus on learning through doing: developing your practice working on extended projects with actors and creatives in studios.

�� Acquire industry know-how through assisting on a professional-standard production.

�� Put your skills into practice by directing a contemporary studio-scale production.

�� Build your professional network through close collaboration with other students across the school/

�� Immerse yourself in the creative ecosystem of Bristol, renowned for its vibrant arts, theatre, film and music scene.

Information for international students

UK students £16,500
International students £27,010

We regret that we are unable to consider applications from students requiring a visa to study in the UK during the 2026–27 academic year. For further information, please see the dropdown “Students requiring a visa to study in the UK.”

Accommodation and living costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Further information about financial support from the government, and bursaries and scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for is available from our fees and funding page.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has been approved for the US Federal Student Loan programme. Further details on options for funding and loans for US students in the UK can be found on the US student funding page.

Fees and funding