FdA in Technical Theatre & Stage Management
We enable exceptional technicians, managers, designers and makers to thrive in the arts.
By combining practical and theoretical classes with work on public productions, we will support you to establish a career as a highly-skilled, curious, and creative theatre-maker.
Our world-leading training responds to a continuously evolving industry and will prepare you to work in theatre, film, television, radio, digital media, events management and production.
We believe a thorough grounding across all areas of production enables you to become a successful specialist. At RADA you can focus on stage management, lighting, sound, props, scenic art, construction, costume, technical and production management.
We support our students to develop their individual practice, work collaboratively and feel empowered to explore new ideas.
Working in a supportive and equitable environment with creative collaboration at its heart, you will graduate with the potential to become a leader and change-maker in the arts.
At RADA, you learn by doing. You will engage in hands-on, vocational training that immerses you in theatre production, ensuring you're fully equipped for success in the industry. Throughout your training, you'll receive personalised career guidance and professional development to help you choose your specialism and thrive in your chosen field.
Our work is practical and collaborative; there are no academic essays or dissertations. You will be asked to write a short self-assessment every six weeks and work on professionally-focused written tasks like drafting risk assessments and creating technical schematics.
Core disciplines include:
- Stage Management
- Prop making
- Costume and Wardrobe
- Scenic Construction
- Scenic Art
- Lighting
- Sound
We understand that you need a broad understanding of the world you're entering, along with the skills necessary to excel in your chosen field. Our training is built around three core strands:
- Context – historical, architectural, cultural, social, managerial
- Design
- Stagecraft and Production
Over two years, the course will enable you to:
- Cultivate your practical and theoretical understanding of technical theatre and stage management as part of a dramatic performance or project.
- Build a strong engagement with the complex and interconnected disciplines that make up technical theatre arts.
- Develop your analytical and problem-solving skills in order that they can be applied in technical theatre, other related performance industries and the wider world.
- Enhance your ability to conduct research, evaluate evidence, make appropriate arguments and communicate effectively.
- Encourage your ambition to aim for a career at the highest level
- Be courageous, curious and socially engaged in your work.
For more detailed information on course content, assessment and outcomes, download our Programme Specification.
Students benefit from the RADA Buddy mentoring scheme, which supports your transition from student to professional with graduate ‘buddies’ providing professional advice, feedback and networking opportunities.
Although the Foundation degree is intended as a complete vocational training in itself, students who pass our FdA will now automatically be considered for the BA (Hons) progression year - enabling students to deepen their specialist knowledge further in one or two areas of technical theatre or stage management.
Timetable and workload
This programme is taught in-person, with at least 35 contact hours per week on average. Production periods may require longer hours, including evenings and weekends.
Training is mostly onsite at RADA with occasional online and offsite sessions.
You can find our term dates up to summer 2027 here.
Assessment
The FdA in Technical Theatre and Stage Management is a vocational course. You will be assessed entirely on your practical work.
Assessment follows five rotations or blocks of performance throughout the year, where you will be assessed on production roles, project work or placements.
You will also complete a self-assessment, which is an opportunity to reflect on your learning.
This programme can lead to one of two awards:
- Foundation Degree (FdA) on successful completion of all level 4 and 5 modules
- Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) on successful completion of all level 4 modules
Year 1
During the first year you will explore all areas of technical theatre production through rotational learning. You will quickly begin using these skills in public productions and events. Alongside this, you will receive ongoing training throughout the year in a number of areas, including stage management, theatre history, and stage, costume, light and sound design.
To help give a broader context for your work, we invite a number of guest speakers from a wide range of industries and walks of life including politics, arts, science and social justice.
Year 2
After a broad-based first year of training, your second year gives you the opportunity to specialise in the area that interests you most. You can choose from stage management, lighting, scenic construction, technical management, sound, property making and supervision, production management, scenic art, or costume making and costume suprervision.
In addition to taking on more senior production roles, you will have the chance to sharpen your skills through project work or by participating in alternative theatre projects or digital production.
You will also complete a professional placement, lasting up to six weeks, with a theatre company, organization, or practitioner.
The Foundation Degree is designed as a comprehensive vocational course, but on completion of the programme you will then be able to apply for the BA (Hons) progression year, which enables you to deepen your specialist knowledge in one or two areas.
We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, disability, ethnicity, marital status, nationality, sexual orientation, parental status, socio economic status, religion or belief. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity, to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practice, and eliminating unfair discrimination.
Entry Requirements
We require you to have achieved a standard of education which means you can study for a foundation degree, but we do not require specific A levels or other qualifications. All eligible applicants are invited to a workshop and interview.
You must:
- be 18 years old by the first day of the induction week in your programme of study
- have complete fluency in spoken and written English
- have some practical experience of theatre production disciplines or related activity
- demonstrate an intellectual, creative and practical ability to undertake foundation degree training
- be able to talk enthusiastically about your passion and experience at interview
- be able to show an understanding of the nature of the work.
English is not my first language. How is fluency in English assessed?
Applicants should have excellent conversational English and be able to understand a variety of texts. As with all applicants, during the workshops, the panel will consider how you are able to interact and converse with them.
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide proof of your English language ability. For more information see our English Language Requirements guide or contact admissions@rada.ac.uk.
For non-UK applicants, we recommend that you read the guidelines published by UK Visas and Immigration. RADA can choose how to assess a student’s knowledge of English.
They must still be at:
- CEFR level B2 if you’re studying at a degree level or higher
How to apply
Complete the online application form at the top of this page. If you need some more information, you can read our guide to the application form.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview and practical session.
There is no fee to apply for the FdA in Technical Theatre & Stage Management.
Admissions process
For entry in September 2025 there will be a practical workshop and interview, which will be scheduled on the same day. We expect these to be in-person, on-site, at RADA. If you are successful, you may be offered a place immediately after the workshop day.
If you live outside of the UK, and coming to RADA is not an option for you, please contact admissions@rada.ac.uk.
Please note that, due to the volume of applicants we interview, we cannot provide feedback – please refer to the RADA Admissions Policy for more information.
Find more details about what to prepare for each stage of the interview process in our admissions procedure guide.
Information for disabled applicants
We welcome applications from disabled applicants and encourage them to disclose relevant information regarding any disability when completing their application form, to enable us to provide additional support during the admissions process. Find out more about the ways RADA support disabled applicants in our Student Life pages.
If you are a disabled applicant and would like further advice or guidance, please contact the admissions team directly on admissions@rada.ac.uk.
Tuition fees
Undergraduate fees for the academic year 2024-25
Home (UK) students
£9,250
International students
£23,940
Please see the fees policy for more information about how RADA calculates tuition fee increases for each year of a course.
Find out more about funding your training.
Am I a Home (UK) or International student?
There are strict regulations regarding residency which must be met in order to qualify for Home (UK) student status.
Home (UK) student
In order to be classed as a Home (UK) student you normally need to meet all of the following criteria on the first day of the first academic year of the course:
- You are settled in the UK (this means there is no immigration restriction on the length of your stay)
- You are ordinarily resident in the UK, and have been for the full three years before the first day of the academic year (ordinarily resident means that your main home is in the UK, and you are choosing to live in the UK)
- The main reason for you being in the UK is not to receive full-time education
Irish nationals who have been living in the Republic of Ireland or the UK can qualify for Home fees as long as they meet the residence requirements which can be found on the UK Council for International Students' (UKCISA) website.
International students
If you do not fall under the Home (UK) definitions, then you will be classed as an international student.
International students coming to RADA on a full-time course of more than six months will require a Student visa before coming to the UK to start your course. Without the visa you will not be allowed to enter the UK. Please visit the UK Visas & Immigration website for further details.
The definitions on this page are only a very brief summary and there are a number of exceptions to the conditions listed. For more detailed information, please refer to the UK Council for International Student Affairs guide.
Other costs
Almost all materials and resources you require for your courses, including travel for any trips, are included in your tuition fees.
You will undertake a placement of up to six weeks as part of this course. For the majority of students, this will not mean any additional costs. You can apply for additional financial support from RADA if your placement means that you incur additional costs, such as travel.
Other materials costs: £300 + laptop
The things not covered include protective footwear, practice clothes, play texts and stationery. International students will have costs associated with the Student visa. Please visit the UK Visas & Immigration website for further details.
Laptops, phone/tablet devices and related equipment
To participate in this course, including online training, you will need to have suitable equipment.
Prices for laptops may vary but costs are likely to be in the region of £550 and upwards. Educational discounts are available, so we advise that you wait until you are enrolled before buying any new equipment. We recognise that not all applicants/ students will own this equipment or be in a financial position to purchase it. RADA, therefore, has ways in which we can provide you with support to ensure that you can access the equipment you need.
Please note that a laptop, phone/tablet devices and related equipment policy is being drawn up. More information is available from the admissions team by emailing admissions@rada.ac.uk.
Applying for a student loan
You can apply for a student loan for your tuition fees and living costs (maintenance) if you:
- are a Home (UK) student
- have not already completed a course at the same level (for example another BA degree)
Tuition fee loans are not means tested and this means that you do not have to pay any fees upfront for your course.
Depending on your home/residency country, you will also be able to take out a maintenance loan to support you in your studies. These loans are means tested and will depend on whether you are living at home or independently. Information about how much you can borrow and a student finance calculator are available on the student finance website.
Scholarships
RADA offers a number of scholarships. The majority of our scholarships will be awarded on the basis of income to undergraduate students studying in higher education for the first time.
We have a limited number of scholarships for second degree students. We do not usually offer scholarships to international students from outside the UK.
Means-tested scholarships
For UK student, new to higher education, starting an undergraduate course in September 2024, we offer the following awards:
Income under £45,000
Minimum award of £3,000 for each year of study
Care leavers
In accordance with our 2020 – 2025 Access and Participation Plan, RADA offers an additional scholarship to care leavers (for living costs) of £3,000 per year for each year of study. This is for UK students on undergraduate courses.
Students are invited to apply for scholarship support once they have been offered a place.
Support for UK undergraduates taking a second degree
Second-degree students are not eligible for government-sponsored loans for a degree at the same or lower level.
RADA welcomes applications from UK students who already hold a degree from another institution or in a different subject, and we hold a small number of places at the UK fee rate for such students.
You will need to finance yourself for both fees and living expenses. We have a very limited number of scholarships, which include full-fee and/or full-maintenance scholarships, for students who are not eligible for student finance. Please see the scholarship section above.
It is in your interest to provide us with information about how you intend to pay for your fees and support yourself through training, if you are not eligible for government-sponsored student finance. We will prioritise students from low-income backgrounds and from groups under-represented in the profession in allocating financial support.
International students are required to pay the full cost of their fees and living costs and are made an offer on the basis of paying privately. However, all funding issues are discussed individually with each student once an offer has been made.
Support for international students
If you are defined as an International student, you are required to pay the full cost of your fees and living expenses. Your offer is made on the basis that you can meet these expenses from your own funds. There are also financial requirements associated with the allocation of a Student visa. Please visit the UK Visas & Immigration website for further details.
RADA is not, at present, eligible for US Federal Loans.
Applicants must be at least 18 by the start of the academic year. We do offer other opportunities for young people under 18, including Access and Participation projects and Short Courses.
There is no upper age limit to apply and we welcome applications from people of all ages over 18.
RADA does not use the UCAS service for applications and we have an independent admissions process. Apply via the online application form at the top of this page.
We require you to have achieved a standard of education which means you can study for a foundation degree, but we do not require specific qualifications or A-Levels. All eligible applicants are interviewed. The panel will be looking at experience, but also at your suitability for the training and passion for the subject.
We no longer produce a physical prospectus. All our information on full-time courses can be found on the RADA website, including course content, costs and funding, graduate destinations, the application process, welfare support and where to live.
You will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your application when you have submitted it. We will then contact you with a date for your interview. Interviews are likely to start in January 2025.
If you are ill on the day, please email admissions@rada.ac.uk in advance of your interview time.
Where possible, we will try to provide an alternative date, but this may not be possible as it is dependent on where we are in the admissions process.
No. You should apply for a place in the year before the September you wish to begin your training.
There are different fees for UK and international students. You must have lived in the UK for three consecutive years prior to starting the course in order to qualify for UK level tuition fees.
If, for example, you were born in the UK but then moved to Australia for twenty years, you would be liable to pay the international rate.
Please see the information under 'Tuition fees' above to know if you are an UK or international student.
If you are a UK student new to higher education, you can apply for a student loan for your tuition fees and living costs. If you are an international student, you are required to pay the full cost of your fees and living expenses. Your offer is made on the basis that you can meet these expenses from your own funds.
We do not usually offer scholarships to international students from outside the UK.
Learn more about funding your training.
Course hours will regularly include evenings and Saturdays, especially during production weeks, so there would be little opportunity to work during term time.
It is important that students have a balance of study and rest throughout their time at RADA to enable them to complete their training satisfactorily. Note that a formal work placement is part of the FdA in Technical Theatre and Stage Management.
There is an intake of between 30-36 students each year, typically taught in groups of 6.
You can find our term dates here.
Generally, we do not accept student transfers into our higher education courses. For our higher education Theatre Production courses (FdA Technical Theatre and Stage Management, one-year BA (Hons) Technical Theatre and Stage Management top up award and PgDip Theatre Costume), we are unlikely to accept students part-way through the course. We take students from other institutions into the BA (Hons) in Technical Theatre and Stage Management (Progression year), but not part-way through the year and they must apply and be interviewed as with all applicants.
We are not able to support students transferring between courses at RADA, particularly between acting and theatre production degrees as these are very different and vocational pathways. A student wishing to change direction would need to be interviewed or auditioned to join one of the other courses.
You can download our policy statement on transferring courses here.
To participate in this course, including online training, you will need to have the equipment. We recognise that not all applicants/ students will be in a financial position to purchase this. Please see 'other costs' in the Costs and Funding section for more information and contact the admissions team by emailing admissions@rada.ac.uk.
Read our regulations and policies relating to admissions and current students here.
If you would like to know more about RADA’s admissions policies for higher education courses, please download and read our Admissions Policy.
Please download the RADA Fees Policy for more information about fee levels and increases, deposits and payment.
Please see our Student Protection Plan for information about how we protect your rights.
You can read our terms and conditions for students.