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Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is one of the most successful and well-respected conservatoire drama schools in the UK.
Whether you’re thinking of applying, or have a confirmed place, we know it’s not always possible to attend open days or visit in person, so we’ve put together a range of videos to give you a full taste of life at the School.
Welcome | Downside Road
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has led the way in training theatre, television and film professionals for 75 years. Our courses are recognised nationally and internationally as a benchmark of quality in acting, creative and technical arts. By choosing BOVTS, you are joining a school with a world-renowned reputation, based in one of the UK’s most lively and creative student cities. Find out more about the courses on offer.
Facilities | Christchurch Studios | Sheene Road Workshops
The School teaches across three specialist sites. Downside is the School’s main site, housing rehearsal studios and craft workshops, costume and design studios, along with student facilities including common rooms, open-access computer suites and a small library. Christchurch Studios, in nearby Clifton village, houses broadcast-standard digital audio and film recording studios and editing suites. Beyond the harbourside, in Bedminster, you’ll find our purpose-built scenic workshops at the School’s Sheene Road site. Find out more about the School’s facilities.Â
As part of its long-term strategy, the Theatre School has resolved to relocate its media, film and television production work. The first stage of this strategy will involve the sale of Christchurch Studios. For further information, please use the drop-down below.
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Sale of Christchurch Studios
As part of its long-term strategy, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has resolved to relocate its media, film and television production work. The first stage of this strategy will involve the sale of Christchurch Studios, the current home of the film and television department, early in 2023. The School intends to negotiate a leaseback of the Studios for two years until summer 2025, ensuring that it can continue to deliver world-class training to its students without disruption to their studies. The sale of the studios will release the capital needed for the School to realise the next stage of this plan.
This means that it is anticipated that media training will be delivered somewhere else in Bristol from September 2025. The School will make sure our students’ studies are not disrupted and will keep all students informed as plans progress.
The sale will give the School the opportunity to review the space it needs for the media, film & television work the School currently delivers and plans to increase in the future. The new space would include a plan for the MA Screen Acting course to be within the same building as the film and television department. If you require further information, please contact student recruitment via student-recruitment@oldvic.ac.uk.
Working in Professional Theatres
Our students’ training is structured around working on full productions in professional theatres across Bristol, which may include venues as diverse as Bristol Old Vic, the oldest continually-operating theatre in the English-speaking world; the urban chic of Tobacco Factory Theatres; or the splendour of Circomedia, a repurposed Georgian church. See what BOVTS productions are on in the coming months.Â
Launching Your Career
Our students have an exceptional track record of graduate employment. BOVTS alumni can be found in all sectors of the arts, from designing costumes of the latest West End show to producing high-end TV dramas, and from starring in Hollywood blockbusters to creating the scenic art used at Glastonbury. Find out more about our world-class alumni.Â
