MA Directing
One-year course
One year from September 2026.
Upon graduating, you will gain a Masters degree awarded by LAMDA.
Highlights
Gain insight into an actor’s process through core LAMDA training with classes in acting, movement and voice.
Participate in bespoke seminars on the craft of directing with core LAMDA staff and industry professionals.
Assist professional directors on LAMDA productions and on external placements.
Collaborate with LAMDA actors to devise a completely original piece of theatre.
Direct an industry-facing play or project in the final term with full creative and technical support.
Who's the course for?
Most students on this course are 21+.
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience.
Overview
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are reviewed annually.
2026/27 entry:
Tuition fees for the academic year 2026/27 will be listed shortly.
Previous 2024/25 entry:
UK students: £18,300 per year
International students: £25,225 per year
Application process
Applications are made directly, followed by a first-round interview and a second-round interview, if successful.
Application fee
£15 first-round interview fee and £24 second-round recall interview fee.
Apply now
UK & International:
Application deadline:
Spring 2026 TBC
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About the course
This competitive course provides talented, emerging directors with up to the minute vocational training support by leading industry professionals.
It offers course members the unique opportunity to both assist professional directors on in-house and professional external placements, and to direct a fully staged, creatively and technically supported production in the final term.
At the start of the course, you will participate in core LAMDA training alongside MFA Acting students, working across the disciplines of acting, voice and movement to develop a deep working knowledge and understanding of the actor’s process.
You will also participate in seminars in directing practice, understanding movement direction, the aesthetics and processes of screen making and how to prepare for a production. You will apply your skills and knowledge by directing professional actors and fellow acting students in scene explorations and short-scene studies.
In your second and third terms, you will assist professional directors on projects, onsite or on external placements (where available). You will complete a design project with students from Royal Welsh College and during the spring, you will collaborate with LAMDA actors to devise an original piece of theatre – a further opportunity to put into practice what you have learnt and develop your dramaturgical skills.
Your year will finish with you programming and directing a public performance of a play/project of your choice in either one of our performance spaces or with a well-recognised external theatre (previous venues include The Orange Tree Theatre and Theatre503).You will also have an industry mentor, who will watch your production and discuss your future career with you. Previous mentors have included Natalie Abrahami, Tim Etchells, Mike Longhurst, Lyndsey Turner, Nancy Medina and Marianne Elliot.
This course has been as intense as it's been rewarding. Offering a mixture of practice and reflection, my time at LAMDA has allowed me to find my own voice and style as a director, both thematically and aesthetically, and also hone my voice and how I work with actors. It is the best course out there for directors who want a practical approach to their education.
Key Information & FAQs
We have been training visionary and versatile directors for almost 20 years, and they have gone on to build rewarding and sustainable careers in the industry. The transformational impact of our training lies in our receptiveness to current industry practice, a commitment to preparing you for all aspects of performance production and to nurturing the individuality of your focus and passion.
During this one-year postgraduate MA Directing programme you will build your practice through an intense programme of practical classwork, reflective tutorials and attachments as assistant directors on LAMDA productions, supporting the work of professional directors. Your training will culminate with you directing a play of your choice which will be shared with industry professionals.
Teaching takes place at LAMDA in Barons Court, west London (30 minutes from central London), although course components may be offered either via blended learning (a mix of online/onsite delivery) or components may be delivered via 100% online tuition.
- The Actor's Toolkit
- The Director Prepares
- Research and Presentation
- The Assistant Director
- The Director and the Script
- Directing Devised Projects
- Directing the Production
Application form
- To apply for the MA Directing course, applicants must click 'Apply Now' on the course page and fill out the application form. The application form requires a CV and Personal Statement.
- After we have received and processed your application, our Admissions team will email you to invite you to the next stage.
First round
- Applicants will be offered a first round interview online, via Zoom, with two LAMDA practitioners. The interview will last 40 minutes and will refer to the applicant's Personal Statement and CV in the application form. A portfolio or website or links to work online is not compulsory, but advised.
Results of the first round
- The applicant will then be notified whether their first round interview has been successful or unsuccessful.
Second round
- If successful, the applicant will progress to the second round, which consists of a practical session followed by a second interview.
- Second round interviews will take place between May-July, (dates may be subject to change).
- Applicants will be contacted by the Admissions team with more specific information ahead of their recall. Requests for further information can be put in writing to [email protected]
Notification of final result
Our Admissions team will do their best to share the result within two-three weeks. They will let you know if;
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You've been offered a place on the course
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You’ve not been successful this time
You must have completed a college or university course, or have adequate professional experience to meet the demands of the course. You must also have been sufficiently involved in theatre (professional or student) in order to demonstrate serious professional intent on pursuing a career as a director.
You must also be a fluent English speaker. Non-native speakers do not need to provide an English language test report when they apply as we assess English at the auditions and interviews. 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.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for 2026/27 will be shared soon.
Previous 2025/26 entry:
UK students: £18,849 per year
International students: £25,982 per year
Course fees confirmed in an offer letter may be increased in further years of study by an inflationary amount determined in accordance with measures set by government.
Application fee
£15 first-round interview fee and £24 second-round recall interview fee.
Find out about fee waivers here.
In addition to masterclasses from visiting professional directors, you will also undertake assistant director attachments within LAMDA, working with both in-house and visiting directors. Most recently these have included Chris Sonnex, Amelia Sears, Jade Lewis, Matt Hassall, Anna Marsland, Anthony Lau, James Yeatman and Sam Curtis Lindsay.
Industry professionals are invited to watch your final production and offer their feedback. In the past, these guests have included Natalie Abrahami, Ned Bennett, Giles Croft, Mike Longhurst, Roxanna Silbert and Lyndsey Turner.
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.
