Foundation in Stage and Screen (CertHE)


Six-month course
Starting September 2026
A multi-faceted performing and visual arts curriculum allowing students to explore performance and technical disciplines.

Highlights
- Skills classes in disciplines such as Acting, Movement, Voice and Singing
- Fundamentals of screen acting and production & technical arts
- Creating and devising new work
- Classical and contemporary text
- Performance for children's theatre

Is this course for me?
Minimum age: 18
No academic requirements.
At the end of the course, you'll receive a Certificate of Higher Education Level 4 Diploma.
Overview
Tuition fees
2026/27 entry:
Tuition fees are reviewed annually. Tuition fees for academic year 2026-27 will be listed later this year.
Previous 2025/26 entry:
UK applicants: £9,275
International applicants: £18,900
Application fees
- £88 for US-based applicants for in-person auditions.
- £27.50 UCAS fee (for 6 choices) for UK & International applicants, plus £15 first-round audition fee. Recall fees to be confirmed.
Apply now
UK & International (non-US):
North American-based:
Applications open September 2026
Application deadline
Spring 2026 TBC
Course dates
8 September 2026 – 2 April 2027*
*These dates are to be confirmed and subject to change.
About the course
LAMDA's Foundation in Stage and Screen course offers you the opportunity to experience industry leading actor training and production arts training.
Ever evolving and responding to the current demands of a changing industry, this course focuses on you as an artist.
Each module within the course will have its own structure, depending on the specialism you’ll be exploring. Over the intensive six months, you will develop core skills training in acting, voice, movement and singing.
You will connect with exciting theatre makers, virtual production and technical arts specialists and directors from across the UK, giving you an opportunity to make connections beyond LAMDA.
Our approach to the training is to create a collaborative learning environment whilst always championing accountability and professionalism within the ensemble.
It can act both as preparation for a degree or as a standalone course, providing the tools and connections to step into the creative industries.
Term 1: Building a foundation
In the first term, you’ll build a strong foundation in acting and screen production.
You’ll take part in a variety of practical skills classes and work on a screen project: creating a short film and unlocking complex text looking at classical duologues.
What you’ll learn:
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Foundational acting principles and techniques
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How to use your voice effectively in performance (Practical Voice)
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Movement and body awareness for the stage and screen
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Solo and ensemble performances, with a focus on acting through song
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The balance of theory and practice through individual and group exercises
Term 2: Develop Your Craft
In the second term, you’ll continue to refine your performance skills and deepen your understanding of acting for both stage and screen.
Building on your first term, you’ll focus on contemporary screen duologues and explore creating original work for specific audiences.
Key areas of focus:
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Continuing skills classes in voice, movement, and singing
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Developing performance through active analysis of contemporary play-texts
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Exploring new work and devising original content
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Applying learned techniques to performance with greater confidence
Key Information & FAQs
This course provides a grounding and deepening of your core performance skills whilst providing in-depth holistic snapshots of different aspects of the performing arts. It empowers you to start identifying you path as an artist and will connect you with a creative community through collaboration and mentorship beyond LAMDA.
Evolved from traditional acting foundation courses, this CertHE Foundation in Stage and Screen course offers you the opportunity to explore numerous core aspects of the performing arts with artist development always at its heart.
During a busy and intensive timetable you will take classes in acting, movement theatre, voice, singing, screen acting, devising theatre and artist development – and apply your newly learned skills in a range of workshop productions and projects.
We know that not everyone has the luxury of taking the time for a full-time course. This is why this course offers you the best of both worlds with the rigour of a full time course and the flexibility to work alongside, with classes running 4 days per week.
Classes include:
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Acting Fundamentals
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Voice and Text
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Public Speaking
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Movement Theatre
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Stage Combat
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Singing
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Artist Development
You should be a fluent English speaker. Non-native speakers do not need to provide an English language test report when they apply, as we assess this at the auditions. However, you’ll need to provide a valid IELTS test report with an overall score of seven if you’re offered a place. We can only accept IELTS for UKVI.
LAMDA does not make conditional offers, or adjust entry requirements according to non-academic criteria.
Tuition Fees
Fees are reviewed annually.
Previous 2025/26 entry:
UK applicants: £9,275
International applicants: £18,900
Application fees
- £88 for US-based applicants for in-person auditions.
- £27.50 UCAS fee (for 6 choices) for UK & International applicants, plus £15 first-round audition fee. Recall fees to be confirmed.
If you’re interested in applying to two or more LAMDA courses, please let the Admissions team know by emailing [email protected]. There is no need to apply to more than one LAMDA course in your UCAS application choices.
Pathways Programme
If you are a member of our Pathways Programme, you are entitled to a free first-round audition. Applications are made directly to LAMDA and you do not need to apply through UCAS. You must apply to the Pathways Programme before applying to the course to receive your application fee waiver.
All teaching staff are experienced and active industry professionals, many of them core teaching staff at LAMDA. You will also be working with artists, writers and directors who will act as mentors throughout your time at LAMDA – plus there will be opportunities to work with our LAMDA alumni ambassadors to give you a hands-on glimpse of what life in the performing arts feels like.
Students will attend classes four days per week.
Hours are approximately from 9am–6.30pm
This Certificate of Higher Education course will be validated and therefore accredited by LAMDA as an awarding body.
As a graduate of this course, you will be equipped to pursue a range of careers in the dramatic arts, including but not limited to professional acting, writing, directing, theatre-making and producing.
This course will prepare you to step into the creative industries with more confidence and self-assurance as an actor and artist, whether you go on to work in the industry, start your own theatre company, or go on to train or study on a degree.
You'll be able to join our alumni community on our social platform LAMDA Connect after completing the course.
Further Resources
Find out more information about the application process, training at LAMDA and funding on our website. Sign up to our emails to keep up to date with the latest news and events.