Our full-time Foundation Acting course offers a student-centered approach to learning with a strong focus on the individual and their formative journey into training and beyond.
Led by Sam Gibbs, a Theatre Maker and Actor Trainer, the course, based in specialist studios at the Lyric Hammersmith, provides rigorous training that prepares students for the next step in their professional career.
Regular sessions with industry professionals ensure that the intensive actor training is blended with invaluable insights into the demands and opportunities in the performing arts sector. Recent visiting tutors have included Mike Bartlett (Earthquakes in London, King Charles III), Noma Dumezweni (Disney’s The Little Mermaid Live, The Undoing, Harry Potter & the Cursed Child), Sean Kempton (Cirque du Soleil), Matthew Xia (Artistic Director of Actors Touring Company) and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emelia, The Wasp).
The variety of the material used in classes and projects initiates discussions on relevant topics in today’s world, that promote students’ personal development and understanding. Tutors cultivate a safe, but challenging, environment to encourage students to experiment, explore and embrace their training journey, its failures, and successes. Students are supported in choosing, and discovering, a path that is right for them at the conclusion of the course.
“An incredibly helpful and insightful course that has allowed me to develop and grow not only as an actor, but as a person too. I’ve learnt more than I could’ve imagined, and I am leaving the course feeling more than ready for my next step in life.”
Full Time Foundation Acting Student (2022-23)
The Foundation course is based in specialist studios at the Lyric Hammersmith, just a 3 minute walk from Hammersmith Underground Station and a short bus ride from ArtsEd’s main building at 14 Bath Road. Foundation students have full access to the resources in the main building, these include the library, canteen, and studio and rehearsal spaces. The latter are free to book outside of timetabled hours. Foundation students also enjoy membership of Young Lyric with benefits that include access to masterclasses and subsidized tickets to main house shows.
This programme is validated by City, University of London and you will receive a City, University of London award on successful completion.
Applications for September 2024 open 16th October 2023. Applications close 1st April 2024. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news on our degrees and diplomas.
| Audition Fee | Round 1 FREE, Recall £25 | Audition fee waivers are available |
|---|---|---|
| Course Fee 2024-25 | £10,123 p.a. | |
| Acceptance Deposit | £350 | UK / EU Students |
| £2,000 | Overseas Students |
The deposit will be held by the School and will be refunded on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to ArtsEd.
This course is validated by City, University of London and qualifies for student loans towards tuition fees and maintenance, subject to the normal Student finance eligibility requirements that you can find here.
Once you have completed your Foundation course, the student loan company will make the following calculation about your eligibility for funding for subsequent courses e.g. 3-year training programmes such as those offered by HE providers in the Federation of Drama Schools and the Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires:
For example, if you were offered a 3-Year BA programme at ArtsEd or another provider, your calculation would look like this:-
3 + 1 – 1 = 3
This means that you would be entitled to funding for the full three years of your BA programme, once you had completed your Foundation year.
If for some reason you were not able to complete your CertHE or any subsequent programme, each year of student finance that you had already received would be deducted from any future application.
Am I Eligible? If you are over 18 with a good general standard of education you may apply for the Acting Foundation Course. Entry is by audition. You can find out everything you need to know about auditions here (including advice on making your self tape)
Accreditation: ArtsEd is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools, set up in June 2017 to provide information for prospective students about conservatoire drama training.
UCAS code: ArtsEd does not subscribe to UCAS. All applications should be made online through our website.
What next? Apply before 1st April 2024 for September 2024 entry, applications are through our website. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news on our degrees and diplomas.
What else? If you need to work whilst you study, then why not take a look at our Part-Time Foundation Acting Course as an alternative training option. With evening sessions spread over two terms, this course might be a good fit.
Click here to view the full Course Guide for Foundation in Acting
You can find more general FAQs here.
