*You will receive a Certificate of Higher Education Acting qualification upon completion of this course. Please note that this foundation course does not form part of our BA (Hons) Acting degree and does not offer automatic progression to other degrees. The Foundation programme in Acting aims to nurture and develop skills and techniques for those who either wish to train within a conservatoire or higher education environment in pursuit of a career within the creative industry, or for those who feel they are ready to try and enter the profession after a year of intensive training. The Foundation Programme is both an innovative and intensive course led and taught by GSA’s highly experienced tutors and industry professionals. Graduates of the Foundation Acting programme have successfully gained places at: RADA, LAMDA, GSA, ALRA, LIPA, East 15, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Mountview, Central School of Speech and Drama, Arts Ed, Rose Bruford, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Manchester Metropolitan. Past Foundation Acting students have also gone on to successfully form their own theatre companies, become playwrights, directors, and filmmakers. We are ranked 1st in the UK for drama and music in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026, and 3rd in the UK for dance, drama, and cinematics in The Complete University Guide 2026. We were exposed to a range of workshops and projects throughout the year in which we were able to produce several pieces of our own work. These experiences led many of us to discover new areas of the creative process that interested us, giving us a taste of different paths we, as foundation students, could consider. Millie, GSA Foundation Acting (CertHE) graduate 2024 The Foundation Acting programme is delivered over three teaching blocks/terms, focusing upon the rudiments of the disciplines required for the aspiring actor/artist wishing to pursue a career within the industry. Throughout each teaching block/term, the programme focuses on the delivery of a diverse and extensive range of subjects including: Students will study various acting techniques and the basics of practitioners including Stanislavski, Sanford Meisner, Uta Hagen and Michael Chekhov. This is covered in the form of weekly Acting Fundamentals and Improvisation classes. Preparation and guidance for the selection and delivery of contemporary and classical monologues required for Drama School auditions. Audition technique is taught in group sessions allowing each student the opportunity to study the work of their peers and also learn from each other’s feedback. At the end of Teaching Blocks 1 and 2 there will be mock audition sessions where the students will receive feedback from a panel made up of Drama School practitioners and industry professionals. Skill-based classes are delivered within the programme. These will include: Throughout the training, students will work on Projects. Throughout the training, students will work on Projects. In Teaching Block 1, this starts with Ensemble Storytelling and moves onto a Text Based Project. This could be either a Contemporary, Naturalism, or American Realism text with an internal "work in progress" sharing of selected scenes at the end of this teaching block. In Teaching Block 2, student work onto two projects; Shakespeare text and a Writing / Directing Project. In Teaching Block 3, students will perform in a professionally supported Public Performance Project of work within one of GSA’s performance venues. Students will also work on a one-week Acting for Camera project with an industry professional, learning the basic camera techniques and skills required for further Screen Actor training. Students are offered support and guidance for the submission of applications to conservatoires and higher education institutions. Workshops and masterclasses will be given by faculty from fellow conservatoires and industry professionals. Students will also have both group and one-to-one sessions. Why Choose This Course?
Located on the Surrey campus with good transport links to London, you benefit from access to the heart of the UK theatre scene and networks of agents and theatre professionals.What you will study
The Foundation Acting course at GSA is a stand-alone, rigorous one-year intensive course that aims to nurture and develop skills and techniques to further a career in Acting. For many, it prepares students who wish to go on to train within a conservatoire or Higher Education environment, successfully gaining entry to BA and MA Acting programmes. For some Graduating students, it has been a direct path of pursuing a career within the creative industries after their one-year training.
Ameer Choudrie, Programme Leader
We can accept students aged 18 and over. Please bear in mind that if you are planning to progress to drama school or university after the Foundation (CertHE) Course, you may need to have the necessary qualifications to meet their entry requirements.
To view the entry requirements, please click here.
For more audition information, please visit AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
Find out more about fees and funding here.
Please note that government loans are available for this course.
Visit our Scholarships and Bursaries page for more details.
Experienced staff in our International Student Office are available to help from the moment you consider studying at the University. We offer professional advice on immigration, visa issues, entry qualifications, pre-departure information, employment regulations and international student welfare.
Auditions
Entry is also subject to successful audition. Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent and can satisfy the panel of their ability to complete the programme may also be considered.
For more audition information, please visit AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
A non-refundable audition fee will be charged.
Why study at GSA
Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is one of the UK’s leading accredited drama schools, providing dedicated conservatoire training within a purpose-built environment on the University of Surrey campus.
GSA operates a pedagogic approach that utilises student-centred learning. Every module has an ethos of nurturing and enabling employability and personal development opportunities for the students. Our working practices encourage dialogue and are most effective when a collaborative approach is undertaken. Our learning environment grants our students the freedom to take risks and to embrace spontaneity.
We keep our cohorts small to ensure you get personal attention and contact from our expert teachers, who have extensive first-hand experience in professional theatre in the UK, Europe, America, and all around the world.
We are ranked 1st in the UK for drama and music in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026, and 3rd in the UK for dance, drama, and cinematics in The Complete University Guide 2026.
98.9% of our graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes survey 2025, HESA)
GSA is accredited by the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS).
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