It’s well known that the UK is one of the best places in the world to study drama and theatre. Whether it’s training to become an actor, a stage manager or a producer - or many other roles that are available.

One of the primary reasons for this is the rich theatrical tradition in the UK, which dates back centuries. This tradition has led to the development of a strong and vibrant theatre culture, with numerous professional theatres, companies and festivals based in the country.

Another reason for the UK's prominence in drama and theatre education is the high standard of teaching. Many of the universities offering drama and theatre degrees have world-renowned faculty members who are themselves established professionals in the industry. This means that students have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience, and can learn from those who have achieved success in the field.

UK's universities also offer a wide range of drama and theatre courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. This allows students to specialise in a particular area of interest, such as acting, directing, playwriting or stage design.

We’ve made a list of the top universities to study drama and theatre from below using The Guardian’s University Guide. The guide is one of the most important lists in the country and is decided by aggregating scores out of 100 in areas like student satisfaction and whether graduates have a career 15 months after graduating.

If you’re looking for the drama school list, you can find our official Top Drama Schools in the UK list here.

List of the best universities to study drama and theatre in the UK 2024

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter is a great place to study drama due to its exceptional facilities, dedicated staff and strong links to the industry. The university's drama department has state-of-the-art facilities including a large performance space, a black box theatre, and multiple rehearsal rooms.

University of West London

The University of West London is known for its strong industry connections, diverse course offerings, and excellent facilities. The university's facilities are also exceptional, with state-of-the-art performance spaces, including a 350-seat theatre, multiple rehearsal rooms and a television studio. These facilities provide students with the opportunity to learn in a professional environment and put their skills into practice through productions and performance projects.

University of Warwick

Warwick offers a wide range of drama courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, allowing students to specialize in a particular area of interest such as acting, directing, playwriting, or stage management. Additionally, the university has a strong emphasis on research, and many of its faculty members are actively engaged in ongoing research projects. This provides students with the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research and gain valuable skills in critical thinking and analysis.

Warwick has appeared near the top of the list for years, a globally-recognised institution for producing drama and theatre excellence.

University of Lancaster

The University of Lancaster is a bit of an outlier, in that is not traditionally associated with being a prolific university for drama - but recent years of success have changed that.

As well as excellent module choices, it has strong industry connections, with partnerships with a number of prestigious theatre companies, film and television production companies, which provide students with opportunities for work experience, internships and professional collaborations. This allows students to gain valuable industry experience while still in school and opens doors for them to find employment after graduation.

Not to mention its stunning location near the West Coast of England.

Sheffield Hallam University

The staff at Sheffield Hallam's drama department are dedicated to the education and success of their students, many of them are active practitioners in the field, which allows for a balance of theoretical and practical learning. This means that students have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience and can learn from those who have achieved success in the industry.

The university has a strong emphasis on practical learning, which means that students have ample opportunities to participate in productions and gain real-world experience.

University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is an amazing place to study a drama degree. With its world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities and strong industry connections, it provides students with the perfect environment to learn, grow and thrive.

The drama department at Manchester offers a wide range of courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, allowing students to specialise in a particular area of interest. The faculty is made up of leading scholars and practitioners in the field, which means students have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience. The university's facilities are top-notch, with professional-standard theaters, multiple rehearsal rooms and sound studios.

Queen Margaret

Queen Margaret University (QMU) is a great place to study drama due to its small class sizes, dedicated staff, and strong industry connections. Many of the students that attend are encouraged to work with working-professionals in the their projects - resulting in a high level of learning and essential tools (like showreels) being provided upon graduating.

University of Lincoln

Set in the historic town of Lincoln, students are invited to study from a variety of modules - including Contemporary Theatre Practice, Theatre and Performance Studies, and Technical Theatre and Production. Students have recently worked with the BBC, National Youth Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse as part of their studies.

University of Sunderland

Focusing a lot more on the performing side of drama, Sunderland offers an array of practical courses - including dance, drama or musical theatre or a mix of all three. The course allows students to dance, act, devise, choreograph, teach or facilitate and the students that want to perform after graduating are eligible for Spotlight upon graduating.

University of Leeds

Leeds has a brilliant course that is slowly churning out industry professionals into the arts industry. Graduates have gone onto a large variety of jobs in the arts and beyond, such as professional theatre and media, teaching, writing, event management, marketing and business, and further academic study. 

University of Glasgow

No stranger to being in the list of best universities for drama, Glasgow have close connections with the theatre industry, giving you opportunities to work with practitioners of national and international standing - as well as a world-renowned course.

Glasgow has an excellent appeal for taking a study year abroad - including: University of New South Wales in Sydney; Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; the University of California; and Berlin’s Free University.