Guildford School of Acting’s Applied and Contemporary Theatre degree chimes with the times

She explains how the three-year course (with an optional professional training year) achieves this in two key ways. Firstly, by engaging directly with communities, taking theatre out of “traditional cultural spaces” and into other environments, such as prisons or care homes. Then, there is the contemporary element, collaboratively devising Off-West End-style work that “focuses on current social and political issues”. 

The course reflects a new generation of theatremakers who are keen to explore multiple ways of presenting work, beyond the traditional template. “Our students become highly trained not only as artists,” says Bowers, “but also in making theatre that is relevant to the public and made with a sense of equality at its heart.”  

This, she adds, aligns with Arts Council England’s 10-year strategy Let’s Create, which is built around a commitment to cultural access and community involvement. It also means that graduates have a stronger sense of how community participation links with ACE-funded organisations. 

This theme of inclusion extends to the interview process as well, which Bowers is keen to emphasise they don’t call an ‘audition’. 

‘Our students become highly trained in making theatre that is relevant to the public’ – Georgia Bowers, course leader

“We find that word can be a barrier, and we want to reach a really wide scope of people. Also, an audition isn’t really in line with the sort of work we’re creating.” 

Instead, would-be students are invited to spend a morning at GSA, which includes a tour of the campus, a short interview with staff and a devising workshop. There’s also a travel bursary for eligible applicants to attend this, as well as the open day. 

Those who are successful will get to train in GSA’s state-of-the-art facilities, including 15 fully equipped rehearsal spaces and three fully equipped theatres with the latest technologies. Plus, there are all the advantages of being part of the University of Surrey, not least the opportunity to 
live in halls of residence and mix with students from different disciplines. The teaching is among the highest-rated nationwide, achieving a 90.3% satisfaction score for teaching quality and 90.7% for academic support in the National Student Survey 2025.  

The Applied and Contemporary Theatre course offers 20 hours of contact time weekly, and all students get to do a professional training placement in their second year. They even have the option to undertake a 12-month professional training placement between the second and final year of study. 

The focus is on creating graduates who are capable of making their own work, engaging creatively with diverse communities and ready to take advantage of employment opportunities from the moment they leave. Ninety-eight percent of GSA graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2025, Higher Education Statistics Agency). “There are many reasons I think GSA is special,” says Bowers. “But it’s our alumni who are 
the best testimony to our longevity, resilience and adaptability.”

For more information, visit: gsauk.org