Pathways Programme
Removing financial and cultural barriers for talented young people
Pathways supports young people exploring drama school and careers in the arts through practical skills development, advice and guidance. Working with schools, partner organisations and aspiring creatives, we provide the tools and experience needed to take the next step towards training.
Financial support
We’re here to help make your journey to drama school more achievable. Through application, audition and recall fee waivers, as well as travel bursary support, Pathways helps you take the next step towards training at LAMDA without financial barriers standing in your way.
Workshops and open days
Build your confidence, develop your skills and discover what drama school could look like for you. Through practical workshops, Introduction to Drama School Days and Open Days at LAMDA, you’ll gain insight into the application process, explore your creativity and experience our training environment first-hand.
Tickets and opportunities
Experience life at LAMDA before you apply. Enjoy free tickets to productions performed by our graduating students and connect with current students and staff who can share their experiences, answer your questions and give you a glimpse of what it’s like to train here.
What is Pathways?
Pathways is a skills development programme that aims to support young people interested in applying to drama school or exploring arts careers.
We remove financial barriers and build clear routes for talented individuals who are currently underrepresented in higher education and the arts, supporting at every stage of the application, audition/interview and enrolment process.
We also work with partner organisations and schools to offer advice and guidance to young people wishing to explore training and careers in the Arts, as well as run practical sessions led by drama school practitioners to complement existing engagement programmes and lessons.
It is run by LAMDA’s Access and Widening Participation (AWP) team, Ella Murdoch (AWP Manager) and Eleanor Cross (AWP Officer).
What does the Pathways Programme offer?
Through the Pathways Programme we offer:
- Free applications to our BA undergraduate courses in Acting or Production & Technical Arts or our Foundation (CertHE) course.
- Audition and recall fee waivers for our Acting courses (please note, there is no fee for interviews for our Production & Technical Arts course).
- Travel bursary support for in-person recall auditions, interviews or events taking place at LAMDA, such as Open Days.
- Free workshops that aim to support your application journey.
- Invitations to our ‘Introduction to Drama School’ Days which take place round the UK.
- Free tickets to LAMDA productions starring graduating students.
- Opportunities to meet current LAMDA staff and students.
Participants who take part in the Pathways Programme do not need to apply to LAMDA’s courses through UCAS. Instead, we will support you to apply directly through us with an application fee waiver.
Apply to Pathways
Check if you’re eligible and begin your application to the LAMDA Pathways Programme here.
Become a Partner Organisation
If you’re a teacher or run an arts organisation, you can find out more about how to get involved with Pathways and the criteria required.