Semester Programme: Classical Acting (Autumn)
Location
In person, LAMDA
Duration
13 week semester
Autumn 2027
Credit value
15-17 US college credits
60 UK credits
Entry requirements
No academic requirements
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 as follows.
£5,347 (UK applicants)
£12,938 (International applicants)
Application fee
£21
Experience renowned British conservatoire training. Applications open soon.
About the course
Experience renowned British conservatoire training across one intense, exhilarating semester in the heart of London.
Running each Autumn and Spring, our Semester Programme is designed to introduce you to LAMDA’s leading actor training. You’ll explore classical and contemporary texts from across British theatre history – taking you from Elizabethan playwrights through to writers working in the Post-War era.
Structured around the core skills of acting, movement and voice, the course is taught through project-focused, practical classes, immersing you physically and textually into the character, language and narrative of the classics.
Each week is designed to enhance your performance skillset, giving you the opportunity to work closely with specific plays within the classical cannon – including William Shakespeare, John Webster and Carol Churchill – and integrating specialisms of historical dance, singing and stage combat into your work. Your semester culminates in informal sharings performed for an invited audience of LAMDA peers and staff.
At its heart, this course represents LAMDA’s ethos and commitment to the ensemble, nurturing individual students’ unique talents whilst promoting the shared responsibility of working creatively together. Through this course, you’ll gain the tools to become an independent and creative artist from an internationally recognised performing arts institution.
Course highlights
- Join organised theatre trips and explore Britain’s cultural scene. Recent cohorts have visited Cymbeline at Shakespeare’s Globe and Hamlet at the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
- Participate in stage combat sessions – a historical tradition at LAMDA.
- Learn from specialist practitioners and experienced directors.
- Become part of the diverse and talented LAMDA community, including participating in a range of extracurricular activities like Poetry Night and Bravo and Encore.
- Worth 15-17 college credits (US students) or 60 credits/4 modules at HE Level 5(UK students).
Is this course for me?
Our Semester Programme provides an intensive burst of actor training and takes place each Autumn and Spring. The course is designed to deepen your engagement with classical texts and develop your repertoire of practical acting skills, helping you to achieve your potential as an actor.
Taught across one semester, the course is ideal for students who are looking to study abroad in London and who are keen to experience British conservatoire-style training. Some acting experience is required, but this does not need to be professional.
Megha Thyagarajan
Semester Programme: Classical Acting
Spring 2024
I’ve really had such a wonderful time at LAMDA these past few weeks. It’s taught me a lot about myself and the type of theatre that I want to pursue. LAMDA does such a wonderful job of prioritising process over product and ensuring that there’s a well-rounded ensemble culture.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to some of the most common questions about teaching, timetables, performances, assessments, and what to expect as a LAMDA student.
This course is designed with international students in mind and typically suits those from North America as a study abroad programme. However, some places are available for those from the UK. Apply online to avoid disappointment or email us on [email protected] to check availability.
You will need some experience of acting, which will need to be detailed on your application.
Once your application has been submitted, we may contact you via telephone to discuss your application and to confirm that you meet the entry requirements for the course.
We also require a level of English that is approximately IELTS 6.5. It’s not mandatory for English language tests to have been taken prior to attending this course. However, we recommend that non-native English speakers who have not completed Level 6.5 IELTS must have the equivalent English language experience.
You can test your level using the Cambridge English Language Assessment or the CEFR’s Self-Assessment Table. B2 Proficiency is roughly equivalent to IELTS 6.0.
You can apply through us directly or, for international students, through the Study Abroad Office of your home university or college. We’re also happy to accept applications from individuals who are not currently studying at a university or college.
Course Fees (Autumn 2026)
UK Applicants:
£5,347
International Applicants:
£12,938
Application Fee
£21
Course fees are subject to annual review.
Funding
There is no UK government funding available for this course. If you’re thinking of applying, you will need to be self-financing.
If you’re from outside of the UK or EU, you should speak to your home university for information on study abroad programmes.
Our semester programmes are not eligible for the US Federal Direct Loan Program. Find out more information regarding funding for International Students.
An external student housing provider is available in London for those booked on the Semester Programme as LAMDA does not have its own on-campus accommodation.
Rooms are on a first-come, first served basis and you must be over 18. Please contact [email protected] for further information once you have a confirmed place on the course.
The accommodation fees for this course are in addition to the tuition fees mentioned on this page.
Teaching takes place at LAMDA in Barons Court, West London.
You will take part in at least 30 hours practical work a week. This will be spent in both class and rehearsal. Classes typically take place Monday – Friday, from 9am – 6pm.
In order for you to get the most of your time with us, there may also be sessions on Saturdays, as well as a series of evening masterclasses with special guests.
All teaching staff are experienced and active industry professionals. In addition, many key staff hold, or are working towards, Fellowship or Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE).
Our student and academic services team provides access to a full range of appropriate academic support, including study skills, support for learners with dyslexia or dyspraxia, and other physical equipment or software needed to support you.
Student and academic services also arrange access to any specialist help needed to support your physical or mental wellbeing, such as physiotherapy, vocal health or counselling. You’ll also have free online support with our digital health and wellbeing platform – Togetherall.com
Your course work will be assessed using UK higher education marking criteria and you will be provided with official transcripts of the course. Additional information about grading and assessments can be found in the Course Handbook, the Academic Regulations and the Credit Framework. The team in Student & Academic Services can help you convert marks into US credits and GPA or ECTS credits if you wish. Final decisions about onward use of credit lie with your ‘home’ institution.
If you have any queries about this, get in touch with our Admissions Team for further details.
A day in the life of a semester student at LAMDA
Further Resources
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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.