Part-Time Acting Foundation (non-HE)
We enable creatives to develop new skills, explore techniques and grow in confidence through acting.
This accelerated, rewarding course will give you a solid grounding in actor training through a combination of practical classes and rehearsal projects.
You'll discover new skills and acting techniques, implement a robust rehearsal practice and expand your artistry.
Working in a supportive and equitable environment with creative collaboration at its heart, you will develop the skills and confidence to pursue a career in acting, or enrich your practice in other creative areas.
This course requires experience and is designed to engage participants who may have studied drama, engaged in amateur dramatics or participated in acting training previously, but have not had opportunity to immerse themselves in longer-term practical, vocational training.
Taught by RADA tutors and directors, this part-time course provides a rigorous training in the foundations of acting. It enables you to develop your rehearsal and performance practice, grow in confidence and understand the necessary skills needed to pursue a career in acting.
This course is designed for people with some experience of acting who are able to learn at an accelerated pace. The course is rigorous and requires commitment to personal practice and collaboration in the rehearsal room. The timetable incorporates evenings and weekends with additional intensive periods, to facilitate participants who do not have the option of studying full-time.
You will have skills classes in:
- acting technique (focusing on Stanislavski, Meisner and Hagen)
- movement
- voice
- singing (group and solo)
- scene study and monologues
Specialist classes in:
- acting for camera
- introduction to playwriting
- introduction to filmmaking
- world theatre
- theatrical genres
- devising
Rehearsal projects:
- contemporary playwrights
- Realist movement
- Shakespeare
This course is not accredited and is therefore non-award bearing. In addition, please note that there is no student finance available for this course.
Entry requirements
- Selection by audition. Please see the application form and 'Applying' section below for more information.
- Participants must be over 18 and have fluent, confident use and knowledge of the English language.
- Participants must be able to demonstrate an intellectual, creative and practical ability to undertake intensive, accelerated vocational training.
Who is this course suitable for?
- Anyone who has studied drama previously at degree level
- Anyone who has participated in acting training (e.g. short courses)
- Those who have worked professionally as an actor and wish to extend their training
- Writers, dramaturgs, or directors who wish to explore their potential as actors
- Those wanting to experience conservatoire or vocational training before pursuing postgraduate opportunities.
If you are not sure if this course is the right level for you, please email the Short Courses team at shortcourses@rada.ac.uk
The Part-Time Foundation Course in Acting is delivered over six months, in-person at RADA.
Classes take place on weekday evenings and Saturdays, with intensive in-person periods every six weeks. You must ensure you will be able to attend all sessions of this course before accepting a place.
2026 timetable:
Week 1: Intensive1 2–7 March 2026
Monday–Saturday, 10am-5pm
Weeks 2–7 9 March–18 April 2026
Tuesday & Thursday 6.30-9.30pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Week 8–9: Intensive 2 20 April–2 May 2026
Monday–Saturday, 10am-5pm
Week 10: Break week 4–8 May 2026
No classes
Weeks 10–15 11 May–20 June 2026
Tuesday & Thursday 6.30-9.30pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Week 16: Intensive 3 22–27 June 2026
Monday–Saturday, 10am-5pm
Week 17: Break week 29 June–3 July 2026
No classes
Weeks 17–22 6 July–15 August 2026
Tuesday & Thursday 6.30-9.30pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Week 23–24: Intensive 4 17–28 August 2026
Week 23: Monday–Saturday, 10am-5pm
Week 24: Monday–Friday, 10am-8pm
This is a non-accredited course which does not attract government funding. All participants offered places on the Part-Time Acting Foundation are required to fund both the course fee and all living costs privately. Note the approximate living cost for living in London while studying is £1300 per month.
Applications will be accepted and auditions offered on a rolling basis until Thursday 5 February 2026. We therefore strongly suggest that you apply as early as possible.
Applying for the Part-Time Acting Foundation is a two-stage process:
- Preliminary audition
- Workshop day at RADA*
Do note that, due to the volume of Applicants we audition, we do not provide feedback after either stage.
*Workshops will replicate the working experience at RADA, and in the profession, and may include physical and close eye contact with other applicants. If you have difficulties with these working methods, please alert the Short Courses team prior to these audition rounds and suitable adjustments will be made, where possible.
Preliminary audition: self-tape
Applicants are invited to submit a video self-tape audition via the application form. The preliminary audition will consist of three audition speeches (two classical, one contemporary) and a song, filmed in one continuous take. Each speech should last a maximum of two minutes, and your song should be unaccompanied (verse and chorus only), no longer than a minute and a half. Please introduce your speeches at the beginning of the tape, and tell us why you have chosen them. We will also ask you to give us some information about yourself, your work and your interests on the application form.
Read our self-tape guide here.
RADA cannot provide advice on the suitability of your speech choices before you submit your video audition.
Workshop day: in-person at RADA
This is the final stage, and you will need to be ready to perform and workshop the 3 speeches you submitted on your self-tape. You will then have an individual interview with our Course Director, lasting approximately 10 minutes. Our intention is that the day is relaxed and enjoyable for all applicants so that, regardless of the outcome, you will have had an enriching experience.
Read guidance on the application procedure, including choosing your speeches and next steps.
There is an application fee of £39, which you will need to pay at the end of the form before you submit it – so please make sure you have a payment method ready.
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 interview process.
There is no government funding (Disabled Students’ Allowance) available for this programme but we will discuss any specific learning needs with the individual, prior to their joining. If you are a disabled candidate and would like further advice or guidance, please contact us at shortcourses@rada.ac.uk
Information for International participants
Please note that this course meets the requirements for a Standard Visitor Visa.
Candidates must be at least 18 by the start of course to apply for the Part-Time Acting Foundation.
Application is by audition only; no academic qualifications are required.
No, this course has an entirely separate application process. Please see the 'Applying' section above for more information.
RADA accepts up to 28 participants on the Part-Time Acting Foundation each year.
You will get an automated message to confirm we have received your application. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted, and group workshop auditions are offered to successful candidates on a first come, first served basis.
If you are ill on the day, please email shortcourses@rada.ac.uk in advance of your audition.
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 auditions process.
We are unable to provide audition feedback at all stages of the process due to the large number of applicants.
RADA does not currently have its own accommodation, but we can provide a list of local housing providers to participants.
You can read the full Terms and Conditions here.
There are no University Credits associated with this course.
Yes. A Certificate of Completion is available for this course. Certificates are awarded to participants who had no unexcused absences or lateness and operated within the obligations laid out in the Terms and Conditions.
Our attendance policy can be read within our Terms and Conditions. 100% attendance and punctuality are expected for all classes.
Participants will be required to undertake some further personal preparation work after classes and outside of RADA.