Guildhall trains musicians, actors and theatre technicians inside the Barbican, in the City of London. It was founded in 1880 and is still funded partly by the City of London Corporation. Students perform in the school's own theatre and concert hall at Milton Court. Alumni include Daniel Craig, Ewan McGregor and Michelle Dockery.
London, England, United Kingdom
Official website: gsmd.ac.uk
1880
Barbican, City of London
Conservatoire and drama school
Milton Court concert hall and theatre
£27,000 – £34,000
International students, undergraduate and postgraduate
£18,000 – £24,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on gsmd.ac.uk before you apply.
BMus (Hons) Music
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
BA (Hons) Acting
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
BA (Hons) Production Arts
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
MMus / MPerf Music
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
MA Music Therapy
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Actor training that produced Daniel Craig and Ewan McGregor.
Performance spaces inside the Barbican complex.
Links with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Musicians go on to orchestras, opera companies, teaching and freelance careers.
Acting graduates work across West End theatre, film and television.
Production arts graduates join theatres, touring shows and events companies.
Undergrad
By audition
Postgrad
By audition
The Barbican is a concrete estate of towers, lakes and walkways, with the LSO and a cinema on site. Guildhall's hall of residence, Sundial Court, is a short walk away.
London is expensive, but students get cheap tickets to a huge range of concerts and shows. Barbican and Moorgate stations are next door.
CAS from Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
Most music applications go through UCAS Conservatoires, which usually closes in early October for the following September. Acting and production arts have their own deadlines, often later in the autumn or winter. Auditions follow.
All programmes start in September. There is no second intake.
The Student route visa. Your CAS comes from Guildhall School of Music and Drama after you meet your offer conditions and pay the deposit; the online application needs proof of funds, your English result and the health surcharge.
Music, acting and production arts are the core programmes. Entry is mainly by audition or interview, not grades, though you still need English at IELTS 6.0 or above.
Guildhall awards scholarships based on audition and financial need. International students are eligible, and awards are usually offered with or after the place.
