MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text
MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text (CCT) is a course for actors and directors who find themselves looking beyond traditional and contemporary artistic approaches as they seek to broaden and deepen their individual practice.
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Overview
Individuality is at the core of this postgraduate programme. We work with artists who use their social, moral, and ethical values to animate their practice. This is a course where you will have agency over your own work and be responsible for driving your learning and creativity forward.
It is this agency which makes the programme different from undergraduate study. With support from the staff team, you will write your own learning outcomes, determine your trajectory and ultimately, we hope, you will flourish as both a learner and a creative practitioner.
It’s an intense programme where actors and directors work together, creating a dynamic community rooted in creative collaboration. Highlights include developing original digital work for the On the Verge festival, performing or directing contemporary performance working in proto-professional ensembles and completing a month’s residency at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London.
At the end of this residency, after undertaking classes with the educational team at the Globe, you will perform or direct sharings on the mainstage of Shakespeare’s Globe, a unique and iconic playing space.
If this narrative excites or inspires you, please get in touch with us to discuss how you can begin your artistic journey with us.
The important details
UK Applicant Deadline:
31 March 2026
International (including EU) Applicant Deadline:
31 March 2026
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
700F (MA Acting); 701F (MA Directing); 710F (MFA Acting); 711F (MFA Directing)
Audition Fee:
£55.00
Application Fee:
£28.95
Please note
This course is subject to revalidation
Welcome to Classical & Contemporary Text
Watch our short video for an introduction to our department.
We spoke to some current students about what makes RCS special and how their time here has prepared them to graduate into a career in the industry.
Why Study MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text at RCS?
Artistic Focus
Become the artist you want to be: the practice you study will be your own and your agency will fundamentally shape your learning and development as an actor or director in a changing professional and creative landscape.
World-Class Training
Our MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text programme offers an intensive course of study supported by an experienced team of in-house and external industry professionals . We offer small class sizes, so you receive high contact time with our staff to focus on you and your practice.
Performance Opportunities
As part of your studies, you will have numerous performance opportunities throughout your studies, including classical plays, contemporary plays and original devised work.
Professional Partners
We have close links with a range of professional partners. As a student on the MA/MFA Acting/Directing Classical and Contemporary Text programme, you will take part in a month-long residency at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Meet the Staff
CCT Festivals
Each year, our Classical and Contemporary Text students create and perform work for two festivals, On the Verge and Emergence. You can learn more about the festivals on their dedicated pages, as well as watching selected works from this year’s and past editions of each.
On the Verge
On The Verge festival has been part of the RCS performance calendar for over 10 years, during which time many of the artists have gone on to tour their work nationally and beyond. It is a showcase of new work by the full MA/MFA Acting and Directing cohort, celebrating big ideas and big ambition – a step into the unknown. The projects are united in a shared desire to explore what might be possible both in front of and behind the camera.
Emergence
Emergence is a festival of new work from the graduating artists of the MFA cohort. Emergence 2024 included five provocative live performances and a gripping short film triple bill presented across two nights in January within Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts. These projects were the result of what can happen when artists are given a small budget and autonomy to respond to the provocation: what is the future of theatre? Two films from 2024 are still available to view online.
Graduate Destinations
This Masters programme is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of creativity, exploration and development, led always by the values and agency of each student and graduate. Upon completing this programme, you will be equipped to make your own decisions about the next stages of your creative and professional life.
This is just a snapshot of some of our graduates and their unique careers:
- Ayana Bey – Actor
- Jeremy Crawford – Actor (The Witcher)
- Alex Fthenakis – Multi Fringe First Award-winning producer
- Rachel Handshaw – Actress
- Debbie Hannan – Director
- Helen Katamba – Actress, National Theatre
- Eklavey Kashyap – Actor, Dundee Rep
- Noa Naamat – Director, Royal Opera House
- Emily Reutlinger – Director
Hear from some of our graduates:
Recent CCT Productions
The Classical and Contemporary Text department’s most recent performances include Birdland, Master & Margarita, Antigone, and Knight of the Burning Pestle.
You can view full filmed versions of Antigone and Knight of the Burning Pestle, and explore photo galleries of recent contemporary productions on our dedicated page:
Class of 2024
Programme Structure
Classical and Contemporary Text Masters has two strands – acting and directing – with students working together as an ensemble throughout the year. If you opt for the MFA, you will study for an additional four months (16 months in total) where you will create a substantial piece of original work that will serve as a “creative calling card” for you to take to industry.
Each term, you will primarily engage in a single module that will run for the term’s duration. In addition, there is a year-long module concerned with your professional practice and development that runs across your studies. Through this module, you will have the opportunity to engage with the performing arts industry in a variety of ways beyond the programme’s performance opportunities. This engagement might include:
- Mock castings with directors or casting directors
- Self-tape workshops
- Mock agent meetings
- Mock interviews with industry professionals
- Masterclasses on a variety of areas of professional practice
Through these and other activities (along with all other content on the programme), you will be expected to consider and develop your relationships to and with the profession.
The programme begins with classes focusing on the approaches to voice, movement, acting and directing. If you’re a director, you will work alongside the actors, participating in these practical classes. This will coincide with a project designed to empower you to take stock of yourself as an artist. Following this, you will learn about the processes of ensemble work, as well as learning how to get the most out of working collaboratively. Term one will culminate with an in-depth exploration of approaches to realism in performance.
You will begin this term with an intensive month at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London, working with the Globe Education faculty. This month culminates with a performance of scenes from a Shakespeare play on the Globe stage. Additionally, the directing students will have the opportunity to present scenes they have directed.
On returning to Glasgow, you will generate work as a creative response to classical text. This will be followed by workshops and classes on new writing development, creating original work, and acting and directing for media. You will then begin creating original digital work for the On the Verge Festival.
This term will focus on creating your original digital work for the On the Verge Festival.
Term 4 will operate as a season for fully realized productions. You will begin with rehearsals for classical or heightened text theatre productions. You will explore the rehearsal process within the structure of a professional production. These are led by experienced directors, with the directing students working as assistant directors.
Following these, contemporary plays go into rehearsal under the leadership of the directing students. They will receive public performances at RCS, to which the industry is invited.
In the four months following term four, you will position yourself as an autonomous artist and collaborative performance maker. With support and mentoring, you will develop a substantial original performance which will serve as a ‘creative calling card’ as you move into your professional life.
How to Apply
Apply via UCAS Conservatoires
Applications are made through UCAS Conservatoires website. The UCAS Conservatoires application system is separate from the main UCAS undergraduate application system. You can read our guidance about using UCAS Conservatoires on our dedicated How to Apply page.
Applicants will also be required to create an Acceptd account when they apply, which will be used for scheduling auditions. More information about this process will be available soon.
We do not offer deferred entry. If you wish to commence in 2027, you must apply next year.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require one of the following programme codes to apply:
- MA Acting Classical and Contemporary Text: 700F
- MFA Acting Classical and Contemporary Text: 710F
- MA Directing Classical and Contemporary Text: 701F
- MFA Directing Classical and Contemporary Text: 711F
The closing date for all on-time MA/MFA CCT applications is 31st of March 2026. If you submit your application after this date, we cannot guarantee that your application will be reviewed by the audition panel. If you do want to submit a late application, you must contact admissions@rcs.ac.uk in the first instance to check we are accepting late applications
Once you submit your UCAS Conservatoires application, please then upload your audition recording to Acceptd – https://app.getacceptd.com/rcs.
Application/Audition fees
There is a UCAS Conservatoires application fee of £28.95. In addition to the application fee, each conservatoire charges an audition/interview assessment administration fee. The interview assessment administration fee is £55.00 for this programme. Fees are not refundable. The fees are paid via the UCAS Conservatoires website and not directly to RCS.
We recognise that auditioning and interviewing for conservatoires, drama and ballet schools can be costly. The audition assessment administration fee charge allows us to offer a thorough and positive experience to all applicants and we encourage you to get in touch to ask the panel questions and find out more about the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to see if it is the best place for you.
Audition Information
Acting Pathway
First round auditions will take place via audition recording (unless you choose to audition in-person in the USA, details below). Recall auditions are currently planned to take place in Glasgow, London and live via Microsoft Teams. If you are recalled, you can tell us your preference for where you would like to do your recall. We have many years of experience of conducting online auditions and have a well-established format and process in place, so no applicant will be disadvantaged by auditioning in this manner.
USA Open Auditions
We will be hosting open auditions for US Applicants in Philadelphia, 10-12 January 2025 at: Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square, Pollock Room, 1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Applicants attending these auditions will not be required to submit a recording.
Applicants are welcome to come along on the day, or if you would like to guarantee a slot you can email usaauditions@rcs.ac.uk in advance. You do not need to have submitted your UCAS application before this, although please note the deadline for UCAS is 31st of March 2025.
Directing Pathway
Auditions can take place in-person (in Glasgow or London), via recorded submission, or live online on Microsoft Teams. We have many years of experience of conducting online auditions and have a well-established format and process in place, so no applicant will be disadvantaged by auditioning in this manner.
For information on what to prepare for your audition, please read on to our Audition Requirements section.
Please note that RCS is only obliged to offer one audition/interview date per application. Alternative dates will only be provided (subject to availability) in exceptional circumstances. If you are unable to make your allocated audition date, you should email us immediately stating the reason.
Audition Requirements
Applicants should prepare the following for audition:
Candidates for MA/MFA Acting Classical and Contemporary Text should record two pieces (one classical, one contemporary) whose combined length does not exceed 3 minutes. One of the speeches should be shot medium-long (from knees up) and one of the speeches should be shot medium-close.
- Contemporary – from a play written after 1970
- Classical – from a play (or material meant to be acted) written before 1800
Candidates are welcome to present pieces that are not part of the Western canon.
If you are successfully recalled, you will be invited for a recall via e-mail with the relevant information. For your recall, you should have both your speeches ready to be worked with, and the recall panel will select which speech to work on with you.
All applicants will be asked to direct one of the following three extracts from Chekhov’s plays:
Recorded Submission
Applicants should prepare a 30-minute, uncut video of candidates directing two actors, and applicants must source these actors themselves. Candidates should be aware that, out of fairness to all candidates, the panel will stop watching videos after 30 minutes have elapsed. Candidates should work as they would in a real rehearsal process – they should not try to show a condensed version of a longer rehearsal approach they might take.
In-Person/Live Online Audition
Should you choose an in-person or online live audition, RCS will provide two actors with whom you will work in your audition for 30 minutes on one of the Chekhov extracts noted above. Candidates should work as they would in a real rehearsal process – they should not try to show a condensed version of a longer rehearsal approach they might take.
References
It is your responsibility to ask two separate referees to write references and ensure that these are sent to RCS.
The references must be written by two different people and we will not accept references from family, other relatives or close friends. You can submit your UCAS Conservatoires application form and send your references at a later date, but they must be received prior to your audition date.
UCAS Conservatoires provides reference forms for you to download and send to your referees for completion.
Policy
We have a number of policies and pages which you should read when applying to study at the Royal Conservatoire:
Entry Requirements
We seek applicants who bring a clear, values-led creative identity and the desire to interrogate their acting or directing praxis, refine their craft and challenge their methods. This course demands resilience, readiness for creative challenges, and a grounded approach to your practice. While qualifications, training, or prior experience may inform an applicant’s journey, they are not prerequisites. We value individuality and the diverse pathways that lead one to develop a creative perspective—whether through life experience, autonomous exploration or auto-didacticism.
For directing applicants only: Successful applicants should be confident leading a room and collaborating with an MA-level cohort of actors.
Academic Requirements
There are no formal qualification requirements for admission. Each candidate’s ability to fulfil the above brief holistically will be considered with due regard for training, qualifications, experience and other factors.
English language requirements
The language of study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) is English. All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence that their English language level meets the entrance requirements.
The required IELTS level for this programme is 7.5 overall with a score of 7.5 in speaking.
Full details of the English language tests and equivalencies we accept can be found on our English Language Requirements page.
Fees & Funding
Tuition fees
For academic year 2025/26:
MA Classical and Contemporary Text Acting/Directing (1 year)
- Home: £18,289
- International: £28,991
MFA Classical and Contemporary Text Acting/Directing (16 months)
- Home: £24,385
- International: £38,658
MFA Classical and Contemporary Text Acting/Directing (4 months)
- Home: £6,095
- International: £9,667
Please note these fees are subject to change.
Funding & Scholarships
You can find out about the funding and scholarships available for studying at RCS by visiting our dedicated page:
Cost of Living & Programme Costs
In addition to tuition fees, it is estimated that you will need between £11,200 and £15,300 per year to live in Glasgow, plus programme costs. Much will depend on your lifestyle and whether your course runs for three or four terms.
Programmes within the School of Drama, Dance, Production and Film have a range of associated costs related to the specific activities required and advised by the programme team. In order to ensure fairness and parity of experience in relation to certain core programme activities a one-off payment to cover a proportion of necessary costs is required of the student at matriculation. You can find these costs below:
More from the Classical and Contemporary Text Department
The Summoning of Everyman
A new adaptation by Director of the School of DDPF and previous Head of CCT, Marc Silberschatz, as one of the 2023 classical text productions.
When We're Back - On the Verge 2023
Holly and Louise, longtime friends from university, rediscover their friendship while on holiday with their respective partners, Jake and Logan. Bad banter and miscommunication quickly cloud this quiet reunion.
The Taming
Watch one of the 2023 Classical Text productions, The Taming, adapted and directed by programme lecturer Leonor Estrada.
Why RCS?
We are the only place in Europe where you can study all of the performing arts on the one campus. There is a distinctive creative energy at RCS and you’ll be made to feel part of our inclusive and diverse environment from the very beginning of your studies.
Our graduates are resourceful, highly employable and members of a dynamic community of artists who make a significant impact across the globe.
At RCS, students develop not just their art but their power to use it.
World Top Ten
We were voted one of the world’s Top Ten destinations to study the performing arts (QS Rankings) in 2025, the ninth time we have been placed in the top ten since the ranking was established in 2016.
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Our curriculum is built around performance and collaboration and we hold professional partnerships with all of Scotland’s National Companies. Join forces across artforms and be part of the 500+ performances we give each year.
Outstanding Alumni
Our graduates are employed across the world and we take pride in the impact they have on their art forms. We’ll equip you with the skills to thrive as a professional and join their ranks.
Learn from the Best
More than 1,000 lecturers, tutors, artists, technicians, co-ordinators and support staff work at RCS across all our art forms. Study with some of the finest educators and performing and production artists in the UK.
A Campus Built for You
Our facilities are world-class. From rehearsal rooms and recording studios to our five professional performance venues, we have a campus to showcase and develop emerging artists to the highest standards.