This is a rewarding course that will introduce you to a range of performance methods and techniques. It’s both challenging and fun – and helps you to develop your creativity and build your confidence. Over the course you will start to establish the beginnings of an acting craft that will be invaluable for your future should that be in further training or another creative path.
The course is full-time and lasts for two terms. Taught mainly by our One and Three Year Acting Course tutors, it gives you a taste and insight into vocational acting training at a top drama school.
Graduates of the Foundation Course have gone on to train on our own Three Year Course and at other leading drama schools including RADA, LAMDA, Manchester and Guildhall, but also to study unrelated subjects at all the major universities. As the course has been running for over 25 years, graduates are now pursuing successful careers on the stage and screen.
The course lasts two terms. Entry is by audition only and there are no academic requirements.
What does this course offer you?
- A really formative experience as you prepare for further training
- A chance to experience all the core disciplines in Acting Training
- The skills and confidence to audition for a Three Year Acting Course
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for the student who wants to experience vocational acting training before applying for a Three Year Acting Course and for those who have experience within other areas of the industry and want to get an understanding of the industry from an Actors’ perspective.
How can you fund your training?
Unfortunately, students on this course are not eligible for government funding in the form of the Dance and Drama Award or the Advanced Learner Loan.
The Foundation courses have a total tuition cost of £9,000 for the academic year starting September 2025.
We offer Foundation bursaries to three students consisting of £3,500 towards the cost of tuition. These Bursaries are means-tested and not available to everyone – please see the Bursaries section of the Funding and Fees page for more information.
Acting Foundation Course Content
The Acting Foundation Course is full-time – that means you will be required at school, during term time, 5 days a week between the hours of 9am and 5.30pm. The training includes most of the core disciplines that you will cover on a Three Year Acting Course. This is a great introduction to Acting Training for anyone who has an interest in training for the profession.
The practical exploration of the actor’s craft through the work of practitioners such as Konstantin Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Uta Hagen.
Classes to encourage your understanding and awareness of your body and its potential in movement and stillness.
Classes designed to improve the quality, flexibility and expressiveness of your voice.
Study of form and expression in poetry with particular emphasis on the language of Shakespeare.
The study of the physical world of an animal in preparation for the development of character.
Practical work preparing songs and developing singing technique.
Introductory classes in acting technique for film and television.
Classes to expand your creativity and increase your confidence.
This part of the course will build your confidence in auditioning. It will help you to choose material that works to support you in being playful and connected in your performance and it will explore your options when you leave the course.
Acting Foundation Course Alumni Include:
Alumni of the Acting Foundation Course have gone on to train at other institutions such as RADA (Aimee Lou Wood), LAMDA, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (Nicola Coughlan), and Bristol Old Vic, as well as our own Three Year Course.
The Acting Foundation Course in images
Student reviews
