Foundation Course in Acting - Foundation
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
This course allows you to learn the secrets of a successful audition, alongside voice, movement, dance and acting classes. The Foundation Course in Acting will give you a broad foundation in performance techniques and methods, and will be invaluable to anyone wanting to go to Drama School or take up a place on a performance course at University....
- Level Foundation
- Study mode Full Time
- Award Foundation
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location Bournville
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
This course allows you to learn the secrets of a successful audition, alongside voice, movement, dance and acting classes.
The Foundation Course in Acting will give you a broad foundation in performance techniques and methods, and will be invaluable to anyone wanting to go to Drama School or take up a place on a performance course at University. It is also available to those who want to expand their experience in acting before applying. Former students have gone on to train at a variety of drama schools in the UK and in the USA.
- Professional Workshops at Shakespeare's Globe
- Audition Preparation for Acting and Singing in Small Tutorial Groups
- Level 3 Qualification: Students are awarded between 24 and 30 points depending on their exam result.
Please note: The Foundation Course in Acting course does not qualify for Student Loans Company funding/finance for fees or living expenses. However payment plans are available.
Why Choose Us?
- A course aimed at committed and enthusiastic young people, who have a passion for acting and who want to improve their experience level.
- Studying on the foundation year will guarantee an audition for our BA Acting course at no extra cost.
- The University is the largest producer of creative professionals outside the South East.
- As part of the course, you would usually be entered for a performance exam that is assessed by an external body which can contribute up to 30 UCAS points (depending on the value placed on the course by the institution(s) to which you are applying, and your assessment result).
- Former students have gone on to train at a variety of drama schools in the UK and in the USA.
Open Day
Join us on campus where you'll be able to explore our facilities and accommodation in person, and chat to staff and students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Next Open Day: 12 June 2025
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
No previous qualifications are necessary.
Applicants will need to complete an audition for this course; see audition arrangements below.
English language requirements: International and EU students will require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: Foundation
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 20 weeks
- £6,760 in 2025/26 ✱ Important note for this price
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: Foundation
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 20 weeks
- £7,470 in 2025/26
Please apply by clicking the ‘Apply online’ button above.
Applicants are required to attend an audition workshop. The workshop consists of ‘getting to know you’ improvisation and devising tasks, some text and song work and general workshop practices. We would also like you to have a one-minute contemporary monologue prepared, but please note that you may not be asked to perform this.
Applicants who apply online will be invited to a workshop. See workshop dates and further information.
Enquiries
T: +44 (0)121 331 7563
E: acting.admissions@bcu.ac.uk
We have Frequently Asked Questions sections relating to applying to drama school and to auditioning.
You are not required to submit a portfolio for this course.
Course in Depth
Full time
The 20-week full-time programme includes two terms of 10 weeks. The course is made up of a combination of classes, workshops and projects, in addition to external masterclasses and workshops:
Acting Technique
These classes form an introduction to the application of the principles of character creation and application in performance.
Acting Through Song
An introduction to the creation of character and performance in the medium of song through exploration of repertoire.
Audition Preparation
Coaching on auditioning for drama schools and individual work on audition pieces in small groups.
Improvisation
An opportunity to access the creative imagination and explore the uses of improvisation as a rehearsal and performance tool.
Movement and Dance
Exploring the use of the body as a tool for the creation of character and the telling of dramatic stories.
Singing
An introduction to the mechanics of the singing voice and individual work on solo songs in small groups.
Stage combat
Work in both armed and unarmed combat for the stage.
Text Analysis
An introduction to the analysis of a script to discover the dramatic relationships and character clues.
Voice
An introduction to one of the actor’s most important tools, whilst developing the mechanics and safe use of the voice.
You will also work on two projects per term – four in total across the 20 weeks – which usually include Musical Theatre, Shakespeare, Improvised Storytelling and Modern Playwrights.
The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has the good fortune to be within easy reach of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. You may have the opportunity to visit Stratford and experience workshops with the RSC actors.
We also attend The Globe Theatre as part of the course to undertake workshops, usually including work on the Globe’s stage.
You will also undertake mock audition panels with industry professionals including agents and casting directors who also offer workshops.
The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is surrounded by a great variety of theatres and performance spaces; we may have the opportunity to visit several of these and examine the many performance styles offered by different spaces.
Access to London and its empire of theatres is also extremely easy and visits may be organised to watch plays relevant to the work undertaken on the course.
The full-time pathway is delivered over an average of around 30 hours per week, although this can vary from week-to-week.
Employability
While many students will want to move on to train for careers in performance, the course offers a unique experience and transferable skills that will be useful in many walks of life.
Some students have gone on to gain places at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to continue their training, while others have gone on to a host of other UK and American drama schools, including:
- Bristol Old Vic
- Guildford School of Acting (GSA)
- East 15
- Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Rose Bruford
- Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- LIPA
- Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Theatre School)
- ALRA
- Oxford School of Drama
- American Academy of Dramatic Art
- Stella Adler
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our Acting courses are based at Ruskin Hall in Bournville, although students can also benefit from a range of performance spaces around the city. As a part of the Arts, Design and Media faculty, we also have access to facilities at the Parkside Building, which boasts state-of-the-art radio and television studios, edit suites, photography studios, and much more.
Our staff
Robert Miles
Course Director for Foundation in Acting, Head of Singing
Rob is a musician and works as a composer, arranger, musical director and vocal coach. He established, and now runs, his own prestigious vocal ensemble in addition to holding a senior residency at Birmingham School of Acting where he is Head of Singing and Course Director for the Foundation in Acting course.He is also an academic...
More about RobertDanièle Sanderson
Head of Undergraduate Studies (Acting); BA (Hons) Acting Course director
Danièle started life as a Drama student, training at the Drama Centre, London. She followed her interest in the body and actor by training in Physical theatre both in London and in Paris. After working for 10 years as a freelance actor and movement director, her interest turned to directing and she gained a Masters in Theatre Directing from...
More about Danièle