Qualification
Course Length
24 weeks
Course Fee
2025 Entry:
£9,535 UK
£16,500 International
Course Overview
New for 2025: The Foundation Diploma in Performance provides a well-rounded introduction to professional acting for stage and screen, with an opportunity to gain experience in a public theatre environment and acquire showreel style audio and screen material.
The course also assists those who are not completely sure they are ready to commit to a three-year training program. Foundation training helps individuals gauge whether they wish to pursue the rigours of professional acting or consider training within the performing arts in a broader context.
The culmination of the course provides students with the offer of either a place on Drama Studio London’s full time three-year Professional Acting course or on one of the Performing Arts courses provided by the London College of Music, namely BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen, BA (Hons) Musical Theatre or BA (hons) Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising).
The Foundation Diploma provides a well-rounded introduction to professional acting for stage and screen with an opportunity to gain experience in a public theatre environment and acquire showreel style audio and screen material. This course delivers the skills and experience for the student to embark on specialist training in the creative arts with confidence and purpose.
*This course is subject to validation
Course Structure
FD in Performance
| TERM | MODULE TITLE AND CREDIT WEIGHTING |
| TERM 1 OCT-DEC |
MODULE 1: CORE SKILLS MODULE 2: WORKSHOP AND REHEARSAL PROCESSES 40 CREDITS |
| TERM 2 JAN-FEB |
MODULE 3: PERFORMING TEXT MODULE 4: AUDITION PROCESS 40 CREDITS |
| TERM 3 MAR-APR |
MODULE 5: INTRODUCTION TO SCREEN AND AUDIO ACTING MODULE 6: FOUNDATION SHOWCASE 40 CREDITS |
Term 1 overview:
The course starts by helping you build your voice and movement skills to give you confidence to create truthful characters for the stage and screen. You will focus on creative choices and problem solving in a rehearsal room environment, with lots of exciting workshops to participate in. The aim is to help you build ensemble skills, learning to work as a team.
Term 2 overview:
During this term you will have the chance to explore exciting plays from around the word, learning how different cultures take stories from page to stage. You will be able to test out your developing performance skills to help bring characters to life. Time is spent on helping you prepare for your drama school auditions and university applications, providing you with the techniques for auditions.
Term 3 overview:
Here’s your chance to experience camera and microphone skills and develop an awareness of industry standards. You will film two short monologues, classical and contemporary, plus a personal interview – providing you with portfolio material for your future creative pathway. Finally, you will take part in a dynamic live showcase of contemporary writing to celebrate your newly developed acting skills. This will take place in a public theatre for an audience of friends and family.
Associations and Validation
This course is subject to validation and awarded by the University of West London which prides itself as the Career University. Drama Studio London is also accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT), a governing body which accredits excellent professional training in the leading drama schools. It is an integral member of the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS), an organisation dedicated to good practice in conservatoire training.
This course aims to generate access for all as part of DSL’s commitment to widening participation. It recognises the value of the arts to transform and connect, to enrich and inspire. With this aim in mind we guarantee that any student who satisfactorily completes the course will automatically be offered a second round audition towards a place at either Drama Studio London. Any students not selected will automatically be offered a guaranteed place on a performing arts course at London Collage of Music.
Key information
| Start Date: 13 October 2025 | End Date: 22 May 2026 |
| Hours Per Week: 30 | Daily Schedule: 9.45 am – 5.15 pm from Monday to Friday. Not including class preparation or warm up. |
| Deposit: International students: Please refer to UWL’s tuition fee guidance |
Entry requirements
| Standard Entry |
|
| No upper age limit. 18+ |
| Demonstrable understanding of creative imagination and teamwork, evidenced through adjudication of audition process. |
| Demonstrable interest in the performing arts. |
| Capacity to operate as an independent, self-motivated and organised learner, which can be evidenced via previous study or via employment in other sectors. |
| Commitment to train with focus and a commitment to take personal and collaborative care for learning according to the course requirements. |
| Applicants should have good conversational English and be able to read, understand and perform a variety of texts in English. If English is not your first language you will be required to provide a valid SELT (Secure English Language Test) at level CEFR (Common European Framework) B2 or above or at IELTS level 6.5 or above. |
Fees
| FD | |
| UK Students | £9,535 |
| International Students | £16,500 |
These fees relate to sterling transactions only. For non-sterling payments please add the equivalent of £20GBP to cover bank charges and administration costs.
All course fees are subject to adjustment in line with government guidelines.
The costs of most texts and sheet music are included in the fees.
Deposits
All full-time international students will be required to pay a deposit or an up-front payment of their tuition fees (dependent upon their country of origin) to secure their place on the course and be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS). The amount of the deposit/payment will be detailed in the offer letter.
The deposit is refundable only in the following circumstances:
if the University does not issue a CAS; or
Where a student is issued with a visa refusal by the UKVI unless the refusal by UKVI is for reasons of fraud or misrepresentation.
Where the deposit and up-front payment is refunded to the student, DSL will retain £1000 as an administration fee.
Where a student is unable to apply for a visa or decides not to study in the year of application for any reason, DSL will return the up-front payment minus the deposit. DSL will retain the deposit which the student may use to re-apply within two years.
Where a student commences their course of study but decides to withdraw, DSL will retain the deposit.
Admissions
Your suitability will be determined through a mandatory workshop which you will be required to attend. The workshop will be informal and will also include a relaxed interview.
Workshop: A fun workshop where you’ll be able to express yourself and meet others through theatre games.
Relaxed interview: You’ll have a chat with the course leader about your reasons for wanting to join the course.
To apply for this course, fill out the online application form.
All our course are free to apply, for more information about DSL you can visit our FAQ page.
We do not charge for auditions as part of our ongoing policy of breaking down barriers to conservatoire training by widening participation for all.
Apply by: 30th June 6pm BST
Funding
Don’t forget, UK students can apply for a student finance loan from the UK government. If you are under 60 and normally live in England, you may be eligible for a Undergraduate Loan of up to £11,222 towards the cost of your course and living expenses. For more information go to our Funding page