Bristol Old Vic Theatre School - MA Drama Directing application form

Please note: you can only apply for one course per year.

You must be aged 18 or over on the first day of the academic year to apply.

Due to a recent change in the Theatre School’s governance, our Higher Education provider UWE Bristol is unable to issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) documentation for BOVTS courses. Regrettably we are therefore unable to consider applications from students requiring a visa to study in the UK for 2025 entry. The Theatre School is able to consider applications from international students who do not require a visa to study in the UK.

If you are unsure of your tuition fee status, please consult the UK Council for International Student Affairs guidelines or contact our admissions office for further guidance. Prospective international students for entry in 2026 or beyond are encouraged to join our mailing list to learn more about training at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE AT 4PM ON Friday 28th FEBRUARY 2025

Personal Details

Have you applied to BOVTS before? *

Title *

Applicant Forename *

Applicant Surname *

Preferred first name or Chosen name

Preferred Pronouns

Current Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State/Province/Region *

Zip/Postal Code *

Phone Number *

Country *

Email Address *

Date of birth * +

Please state what age you will be on 22nd September 2025. Please use years and months. Please note: you must be aged 18 or over on the 22nd September 2025 to be able to apply. *

Which of the following most accurately describes you? Choose as many as you like *

If you answered 'Let me type' to the questions above, please type the answer here.

Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth? *

Have you been a permanent resident in the UK or Ireland for the three years prior to the start of the course (but not as a student)? *

Country of birth *

Country of residence *

Nationality *

Do you have dual nationality? *

If you have dual nationality - please can you list the country or countries you have nationality with.

For applicants from the EU or EEA, do you have Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK?

Yes

No

If yes, please can you give more information

If you are applying outside the UK or Ireland, have you had a Student Visa before?

Yes

No

If yes, please can you give more information

How did you hear about the course? *

Next of Kin

Next of Kin/Parent/Guardian/Carer name *

Address *

City *

Zip/Postal code *

Country *

Emergency contact Phone Number *

Emergency contact details email address *

Your previous education

Please choose which type of institution you MOST RECENTLY attended *

What is your highest level of qualification at the time of application? eg. GCSEs, BTECs, T-Levels, A-Levels, IB, Highers, First Degree, Masters Degree etc. *

Please give details of these qualifications in the format: SUBJECT - LEVEL (eg. GCSE, BTEC etc) - ACHIEVED GRADE *

Where were these qualifications studied? *

What is the address (including postcode) of the institution where these qualifications were studied? *

Are you currently studying for any other qualifications? (eg. A-Levels, BTECs, T Levels, IB, Highers, First Degree, Masters Degree etc.) *

Where are you studying these qualifications? *

What is the address (including postcode) of the institution where you are studying these qualifications? *

What makes you want to study with us and what makes you well prepared to undertake the training?

The statement is an important part of your application. It’s your chance to describe your ambitions, skills, and experience to the school. Word limit is 200 words. *

0/200 words

Miscellaneous

How do you plan to fund your course? *

Please upload a photo of yourself *

Please upload a CV or Resume (if you have one).

Please note, it is not necessary for you to add a CV to your application for undergraduate courses. It is sometimes useful to be included for those applying to masters courses so we can see your relevant experience however, again this is not compulsory.

Please upload a Portfolio (if you have one)

Please note, it is not necessary for you to add a Portfolio to your application for undergraduate courses. It is sometimes useful to be included for those applying to masters courses so we can see your relevant experience however, again this is not compulsory.

Additional Monitoring information

The information you give in this section is used for statistical and monitoring processes and to help provide a fuller context for your application to make sure you are given the right support to access higher education and succeed in your studies.

These questions are optional. Please select "Prefer not to say" if you do not want to answer them.

The information is kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act. This information is shared (securely) with those who are responsible for monitoring/supporting you at BOVTS.

Do any of your parents or guardians have any higher education qualifications? *

Please select an option from the below list - are you: *

Please choose from the list which best describes how you think of yourself *

Please choose which best describes whether you have any disability *

How would you describe your sexual orientation? *

If you answered 'let me type' please type it here

How would you describe your religion or belief? *

If you answered 'let me type' please type it here

How would you describe your marital status? *

If you answered 'let me type' please type it here

Please can you let us know if you have any access or support needs necessary for your audition/interview.

The personal information you supply may be used to help us respond to process your application, and for quality assurance and market research purposes. We will also use your data for direct marketing purposes. Unless required by law, your data will not be shared with or sold to any organisation outside Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, apart from those that help us to provide this service including the University of West England (UWE).

Your personal information will be kept in a secure database for no more than seven years. You have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you. You may also ask us to correct or remove any information you think is inaccurate. Please get in touch by emailing admissions@oldvic.ac.uk to request this information or ask for a correction.

Should you change your mind at any point, that’s no problem. You can get in touch with us at
For more information on how Bristol Old Vic Theatre School uses your personal data, please read our privacy policy HERE: If you believe that the School is not fully complying with data protection requirements, you have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office(ico.org.uk/).

Please note that the application form asks for some sensitive personal information. You are not required to provide this to us, but, if you do, you will be consenting for us to use it for the following purposes: research projects and equalities monitoring (which may include relevant national research projects); managing any arrangements or adjustments that may be needed to help you participate fully in our training.

YOUR INFORMATION AND DIRECT MARKETING

Where you have consented or where we have a legitimate interest, we will use your personal information to contact you via email, SMS, social media, online advertising, push notification, telephone or post (depending on any preferences notified to us) with relevant information about The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, our websites, our products, services, offers and events. Where you have asked to receive information about our partners or sponsors, your personal information will be used by us to send this information to you.

How to stop electronic marketing messages

You can stop receiving electronic marketing messages (e.g. emails) from us at any time. You can do this:

By clicking on the ‘unsubscribe’ link in any marketing email; or
By submitting a request to our Data Protection Office at Info@oldvic.ac.uk

Once you do this, we will update your profile to ensure that you don’t receive any further electronic marketing messages. However, please note that it might take up to 14 days for our systems to be updated, so you might continue to receive messages from us whilst we process your request.

How to stop postal marketing messages

You can stop receiving postal marketing messages from us at any time. You can do this:

By submitting a request to our Data Protection Office at Info@oldvic.ac.uk
By marking your postal marketing “Return to Sender” to Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 1-3 Downside Road, Bristol, BS8 2XF.

Once you do this, we will update your profile to ensure that you don’t receive any further postal marketing. However, please note that it might up to 30 days (or longer if you use the Return to Sender method) for our systems to be updated, so you might continue to receive marketing from us whilst we process your request.