MFA Classical Acting: Performance & Practice (Top Up)
by distance learning*
Course level
Postgraduate
Duration
1 year from September 2027
Location
Online (distance learning)
Entry requirements
Graduate of MA Classical Acting
for the Professional Theatre at LAMDA
from 2013 onwards
How to apply
Apply directly to LAMDA
Applications will open in Autumn 2026
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are reviewed annually, and will be listed shortly. Fees for 2026/27 were: £9,007
*This course is subject to approval
Further your study of the classics and gain an MFA . Applications open soon.
About the course
Are you ready to elevate your practice? The MFA Classical Acting: Performance & Practice (Top-Up) (By Distance Learning) is only available to graduates of LAMDA’s MA Classical Acting.
This year-long course is a stimulating and immersive addition to the MA Classical Acting course, designed to enhance the skills acquired through your MA Classical training and develop your skills as artist-educators.
The course comprises 2 modules: The Teaching Artist and New Classics.
The Teaching Artist will build connections between your MA practical training and practitioners’ theories, concepts and influences upon current studio practice. New Classics explores creative and interpretative modes of theatrical adaptation. You will discover the potentials of story, character, text and genre to create your own original theatrical project.
Throughout the programme, you will investigate diverse approaches to teaching and learning and explore the interplay of theory and hands-on practice. You will have opportunities to develop your ‘teaching toolkit’ and enhance your theatre-making through the ‘new classics’ creative process.
A unique aspect of the course is its partnership with LAMDA Exams.
You will study the LAMDA Syllabus in Practise course.
This week-long Continuous Professional Development (CPD) component provides you with foundational knowledge of the LAMDA Exams Syllabi. You will emerge with the skills to prepare students globally for LAMDA accredited examinations.
This course is taken online through distance learning.
Is this course for me?
Designed specifically for working professionals and international practitioners, the MFA in Classical Acting: Performance & Practice (Top-Up) (By Distance Learning) offers the perfect balance between personalised teaching and flexibility, enabling you to balance study with family and professional responsibilities. Study part-time from anywhere in the world and join a global community of artists and educators.
This year-long, part-time course is taught through online tutor-led seminars, workshops, lectures, as well as self-directed study. You will benefit from unlimited access to LAMDA’s virtual learning environment and ongoing support from highly-experienced tutors.
LAMDA’s MFA qualification is particularly valuable for applicants from the United States and other international contexts, equipping graduates with core skills to teach not only in higher education but also across a wide range of educational, professional, and community settings.
By joining the MFA Classical Acting (Top-Up) (By Distance Learning), you will join a diverse learning community in a journey of exploration, discovery and professional growth. Students have opportunities for social learning and collaborative work, supported by peers and tutors. You will have the freedom to shape your teaching identity, refine your creative voice and bring your vision to life through your ‘new classics’ project, engaging with emerging practice and possibilities in contemporary theatre.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to some of the most common questions about teaching, timetables, performances, assessments, and what to expect as a LAMDA student.
You will need to hold LAMDA’s MA Classical Acting for the Professional Theatre dating from the year 2013 or after. Alumni who were awarded other qualifications or who completed prior to this date will unfortunately not be eligible.
You must also be a fluent English speaker. Non-native speakers will need to provide proof of their completed MA Classical Acting degree, when applying for a Student Visa. A Secure English Language Test (SELT) is not required.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are reviewed annually.
2026/27 entry:
UK students: £9,007
International students: £9,007
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.
As this top-up course will be almost exclusively for former students, there will be no formal audition or interview process. However, we will require a short personal statement which will cover the following:
- What have you been doing since graduating from LAMDA?
- Why would you like to study on this course?
- How do you foresee it aiding you in your future endeavours?
This personal statement can be written, a video recording or an audio recording. It should be approximately 500 words long.
The course can be taken online from anywhere in the world, offering flexibility and time for self-led exploration and study.
Students’ progress on the course is supported informally through ongoing feedback, tutorials and reflective exercises that prepare you for your final assessments. Each module has its own set of expectations, which will be clearly outlined to you as you go.
Pedagogies of Performance is assessed by a portfolio, drawing upon your experiences in the intellectual and practical processes of pedagogy. New Classics is assessed through a project in the creative processes and act of adaptation.
The Syllabus in Practice element is assessed separately by LAMDA Examinations staff, and the assessment does not contribute to the MFA degree outcome.
The course comprises 2 modules.
Pedagogies of Performance is taught in Term 1 and concludes at start of Term 2. New Classics is taught in the latter part of Term 2 and concludes in Term 3.
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.
How to apply
Everything you need to know, from submitting your application and preparing for your audition to important dates and next steps.
Fees and funding
Find information about tuition fees, scholarships, bursaries and financial support available to help make LAMDA training as accessible as possible.
Student life
Learn what it’s like to study at LAMDA, from life on campus and student support, to accommodation and making the most of your time in London.