Financing your studies may seem daunting at first, but help is at hand. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will provide all the support you need to take control of your finances.
For fees purposes, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School classifies students as UK or International. Your residency classification determines the amount you pay in tuition fees as well as the financial support available to help towards tuition fee costs and living expenses.
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BOVTS Fees Policy
The BOVTS fees policy is available to download from the School policies and procedures page.
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Application Fees
There is an application fee of £25 for BA (Hons) Professional Acting. Please note that all application fees are non-refundable.
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Assessment Fee Waivers
The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama (CDD) offer a number of free audition/interview places across the Conservatoire schools. Places are offered on a first come basis and interested applicants must meet specific criteria. Further information is available from CDD’s fee waiver webpage.
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Tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year
Undergraduate – BA (Hons) and FdA Courses
UK Students
- The annual tuition fee for UK undergraduate students commencing their studies in 2021 will be £9,250. This includes students from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
International Students
- The tuition fee for international (non UK) students on our undergraduate technical courses, will be £22,050 per year.
For those using student finance, a quick start guide is available from Student Finance England.
Postgraduate – MA and MFA Courses
UK Students
- Tuition fees for UK students on a 38 week (one year) course will be £11,100
International Students
- Tuition fees for the 40 week MFA Professional Acting for International Students will be £25,900
- Tuition fees for international students (non UK) on a 38 week (one year) course will be £24,600
Tuition fees are likely to increase in each subsequent year and these increases will be in line with UK Government policy.
ⓘ Please note that from 2021 entry, EU students will be considered as international fee payers. Permanent Irish residents applying for 2021 entry will be classed as ‘home’ student status as a result of the Common Travel Area agreement and are not liable for international fees.
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Tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year
Undergraduate – BA (Hons) and FdA Courses
UK/EU* Students
- The annual tuition fee for UK and EU* undergraduate students commencing their studies in 2020 will be £9,250. This includes students from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
International Students
- The tuition fee for international (non UK/EU*) students on our undergraduate technical courses will be £21,300 per year.
For those using student finance, a quick start guide is available from Student Finance England.
Postgraduate – MA and MFA Courses
UK/EU* Students
- Tuition fees for UK/EU* students on a 38 week (one year) course will be £10,800.
International Students
- Tuition fees for the 40 week MFA Professional Acting for International Students will be £25,200
- Tuition fees for international students (non UK/EU*) on a 38 week (one year) course will be £24,000
Tuition fees are likely to increase in each subsequent year and these increases will be in line with UK Government policy.
* ⓘ Please note that from 2021 entry, EU students will be considered as international fee payers. Permanent Irish residents applying for 2021 entry will be classed as ‘home’ student status as a result of the Common Travel Area agreement and are not liable for international fees.
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Student Finance
Are you eligible for government support?
If you are a UK student, in addition to tuition fee support, you can also apply for funding towards your living costs, and the amount available to you will vary according to where you are from in the UK. You will be able to access a basic maintenance loan towards your living costs regardless of your household income level and if you are from a lower-income household you will also be eligible to receive additional means-tested maintenance support.
You should apply to your regional funding agency (see below) each year before the end of the Easter holidays to ensure that funding is in place for the following year of your course.
What does it mean to be ‘means-tested’ or ‘financially assessed’?
If you want to be considered for a higher level of maintenance loan (students from England) or a non-repayable maintenance grant (students from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales), you will need to complete a financial assessment as part of your application to your funding agency in order to calculate your household income. Although much of this process is automated, you may need to provide financial information to support your assessment.
What is household income and how is it calculated?
Your household income is made up of your income plus that of the people who live with you, such as your parents / step-parent / partner. Household income is assessed based on gross taxable income for the last full tax year. If your household income is likely to drop by at least 15% you can request a Current Year Income Assessment Form from your regional funding agency.
What if I suspend my studies?
If you decide to suspend your studies for any length of time you will need to inform your regional funding agency. If you repeat any years of study, you should be aware that this might affect your entitlement to financial support.
To further guidance about student finance, please see:
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Undergraduate Student Financial Help
Are you eligible for government support?
Most of our students on undergraduate courses are funding their courses through student loans.
If you are a UK student, in addition to tuition fee support, you can also apply for funding towards your living costs, and the amount available to you will vary according to where you are from in the UK. You will be able to access a basic maintenance loan towards your living costs regardless of your household income level and if you are from a lower-income household you will also be eligible to receive additional means-tested maintenance support.
You should apply to your regional funding agency (see below) each year before the end of the Easter holidays to ensure that funding is in place for the following year of your course.
What does it mean to be ‘means-tested’ or ‘financially assessed’?
If you want to be considered for a higher level of maintenance loan (students from England) or a non-repayable maintenance grant (students from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales), you will need to complete a financial assessment as part of your application to your funding agency in order to calculate your household income. Although much of this process is automated, you may need to provide financial information to support your assessment.
What is household income and how is it calculated?
Your household income is made up of your income plus that of the people who live with you, such as your parents / step-parent / partner. Household income is assessed based on gross taxable income for the last full tax year. If your household income is likely to drop by at least 15% you can request a Current Year Income Assessment Form from your regional funding agency.
What if I suspend my studies?
If you decide to suspend your studies for any length of time you will need to inform your regional funding agency. If you repeat any years of study, you should be aware that this might affect your entitlement to financial support.
For further information, please see the “Student Finance” tab above. Information on fees and financial support is also available from the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, and advice is also available for students who are care leavers or estranged from their parents.
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Postgraduate Student Financial Help
The UK Government offers postgraduate Master’s loans through Student Finance England. Funding for postgraduate loans is different if you usually live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Information about the Master’s Loan scheme is available from UK Government website.
The loans, which are valued at up to £11,222 per student for entry after 1 August 2020, are a contribution towards the cost of study. They can be used for fees, maintenance or other costs associated with your study. They are not means tested and paid directly to the student into a UK bank account
What you’ll get
The loan is paid directly to you. You can use it for your course fees and living costs. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may take account of the loan when working out any benefits you receive. The amount you’ll get depends on when you started your course. It is not based on you or your family’s income.
Further information about the loan, eligibility criteria, when you’re paid, and how to apply is available from the UK Government Master’s Loan webpages.
Further information about funding postgraduate training can be found on the Prospects and Find A Masters websites.
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BOVTS Scholarships and Bursaries
As you would expect from a university that places great emphasis on student support, BOVTS is keen to offer help to students. Bursaries and scholarships worth almost £200,000 are available for new and returning students.
The Undergraduate Award Scheme is part of The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama’s (CDD) Access Agreement with the government and is aimed at widening access to degree courses by removing financial barriers to education for students from under-represented groups.
Conservatoire Scholarships
The Conservatoire offers a range of scholarships in the form of bursaries and fee discounts. Up to a maximum of £2000 per annum (cash or tuition fee discount) is awarded on the basis of need, available on all undergraduate courses. Further information, including eligibility criteria, is available from the CDD website.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
If you wish to be considered for a Conservatoire Scholarship, you need to indicate as appropriate on your application form to the school/s. You then need to complete an application to Student Finance England (or its equivalent) as early as possible in order to be income assessed. Remember to allow consent to share information. This will allow the Conservatoire to assess what level of support you may be entitled to.
You can apply to Student Finance for income assessment even if you are not eligible for a loan, or do not wish to apply for a loan. Scholarships awarded on the basis of talent will be allocated by the schools and all eligible students will be considered.
The CDD Care Leaver and Estranged Students Bursary is allocated in addition to any other financial support.
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EU Students
On Thursday 23 June 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. The government has confirmed that EU students starting in 2020/21 will be eligible for home fee status. This means that they will be charged the same tuition fees as UK students throughout the duration of their course.
Current EU students who have been assessed as eligible to receive loans and/or grants from the Student Loans Company, will continue to receive these loans and grants until they finish their course. This will also apply to EU nationals who intend to begin studying from the autumn of 2020. This status will last for the duration of their degree courses.
EU students commencing training in 2021 will classified as international students for tuition fee purposes. Please note that permanent Irish residents applying for 2021 entry will be classed as ‘home’ student status as a result of the Common Travel Area agreement and are not liable for international fees.
