Performing Arts Academy
Exeter College’s Performing Arts Academy aims to stretch and challenge learners who demonstrate a genuine commitment and motivation in creating live performance work and want a career within the industry.
We want to work with learners who are passionate about the performing arts, have open minds and are prepared to face personal challenges. Potential Academy members need to be multi skilled in being able to write, produce and perform their own work to make a living in such a competitive industry. Performing Arts Academy students will experience a wide and diverse programme of master classes, workshops and field visits outside the curriculum of their studies. The culmination of the academy will be a showcase of live performance work in front of a panel of industry professionals and invited guests.
Previous Performing Arts Academy students have graduated onto courses at Drama Schools and Universities such as: Southbank University, Bristol School of Acting, Central Film School, University of Exeter, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, University of Manchester, East 15, Bristol Old Vic, GSA, Rose Bruford, Emil Dale, Plymouth Conservatoire, London School of Musical Theatre and Bournemouth University.
- What are the entry criteria?
The Performing Arts Academy is open to any student that is studying a performing arts related course and has gained a GCSE Level 4 or above in both English/Maths. The Performing Arts Academy is open to both first years and second years as it has been designed to be both aspirational as well as inspirational. Entry is via application, audition and interview. If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place within the Performing Arts Academy it will not affect any other offers that you may have upon courses at Exeter College.Performing Arts related courses:
UAL Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma Performing and Production Arts (ACTING)
UAL Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma Performing and Production Arts (MUSICAL THEATRE)
UAL Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma DanceRemember that the Performing Arts Academy is just an extra opportunity for us to stretch and challenge some learners in addition to their studies. Drama and Performing Arts staff will be able to feedback to all learners who are have been unsuccessful in their application as part of the induction process when term starts in September. We’re excited when learners reflect upon feedback, develop new skills and apply again to the Performing Arts Academy the following year.
- How do I apply?
Applications for 2025 College entry open here from October 2024.
Please note you will need to complete your College course application using the link above before you can apply for an academy. Applications for College courses starting in 2025 are now open. When you have applied to College your account page will update to allow you to select and apply to the Academy.
The Academy Team will then review your application and shortlist candidates for audition. Applications close on 6 June 2025 and auditions take place on 27 June 2025.
- What will I have to do in audition?
The Academy team want the audition process to be of value to learners. If invited to audition we will send you a clear set of instructions and logistics about what to wear, where it’ll take place, when and what material we ask that you prepare beforehand. The selection process will take the form of workshop/interview and presentation of audition material. All of this will take on the same day and we’ll aim to timetable everything over a complete morning or afternoon. Audition will be offered based on your application. This year’s auditions will take place on 27 June 2025.
- Academy Fees
The Performing Arts Academy is limited to a maximum of 16 learners each year and will run from the start of each academic year up to February half term. For successful candidates offered a place there will be a one off Academy fee of £200. This includes all sessions and trips.
What Our Students Say
The Performing Arts Academy is perfect for those who are ambitious, curious, and above all passionate about creating. Working within a talented team who share an adoration for all aspects of theatre is deeply rewarding. It challenges you to share, fabricate, and explore exciting ideas; gifting you the opportunity to freely discover with the superb support and encouragement from the tutors and each other. The Academy has pushed me to pursue my aspirations and achieve the once unachievable.
— Clay, studying A Levels
I developed skills in all sorts of aspects of theatre – verbatim theatre, puppetry, plus acting for film, voiceover acting and script writing skills as part of a project for the National Theatre. We have also gained lots of transferable skills such as collaboration, listening and communication skills. We worked quite intensely with each other on things like the creation of a Scratch we did last year, called Paper Crowns. I can apply so many of the skills I learned in the Academy to other aspects of my life.
— Gracie, studying Performing and Production Arts (Acting) UAL Extended Diploma
The ‘Acting for Camera’ workshop we took part in with former Exeter College student, Alex Chang, was probably the occasion I learnt the most. We could watch ourselves on a big projector and gain feedback from our peers and an industry professional. From this, I gained a variety of feedback, ranging from qualities they liked about my performance to constructive criticism; all of which were very useful to me.
— Charley, studying A Levels
Apply for 2025/2026
Once you have completed your College course application, you can apply for an Academy.
Click below to apply.
The Academy team will then review your application and shortlist candidates for audition.