The application and audition process can take a long time, so it's best to begin about a year before the course commences. You need to think carefully about the kind of work you may like to do as a result of training and this will help you decide which type of course will help you achieve your ambition.
You should contact schools on the accredited course list and request a prospectus. All schools also have a websites which you can access directly from the accredited course list, from there you will be able to find the deatils of the courses which are currently being offered by that school. Each course will seek to offer the highest possible standards of professional training but its curriculum, teaching methods and genral ethos will be different. The Conference of Drama Schools (CDS) represents all the major drama schools and publishes annually the Guide to Professional Training in Drama & Technical Theatre which provides a section on each of the drama schools.
NCDT, in association with the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET) and the Department for Education and Skills have produced a booklet An Applicant's Guide to Auditioning and Interviewing at Dance and Drama Schools providing further detailed information on the application and auditioning procedures at Dance and Drama Schools.
It provides information and advice about researching, choosing, applying, interviewing and auditioning for courses at Dance and Drama Schools. This is a joint initiative from the NCDT, the CDET and the government. From picking a suitable audition piece to what happens next, this will guide you through the process so that you know what you to expect at each stage.