Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
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Program Characteristics
Prescreen Required
Audition Required
Interview Required
In-Person Only
Ultra-Selective
Under 12 Students
No University App
Program Highlights
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•Intensive two-term (24 weeks) foundation course at one of the world's most prestigious drama schools
•Non-HE programme designed to develop acting skills and give a sense of degree-level actor training
•28 participants accepted per year
TRAINING
•Explore careers in theatre and related industries
•Introduced to industry practitioners who discuss career options
•Develop skills as an actor and find your voice
•Intensive schedule including evenings and Saturdays
PATHWAY TO BA
•Foundation Course graduates may apply for the BA (Hons) in Acting
•If applying, skip the preliminary self-tape stage and go straight to Stage 2 of the BA audition process
•Foundation does NOT guarantee a BA place — full re-audition required
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Deadline
Application DeadlineJan 14, 2026
Application Fee
£39
Waived if also applying for BA (Hons) in Acting
Prescreen Requirements
Monologues
PRELIMINARY SELF-TAPE
•Two audition speeches, each up to 2 minutes
•1-minute introduction (name, postcode, and why you chose your pieces)
SPEECH A — CLASSICAL
•Must be from Shakespeare or an Elizabethan/Jacobean playwright (Jonson, Marlowe, Webster, etc.)
•Must be originally written in English
•May perform in your native language, but must also perform the same piece in English
SPEECH B — CONTEMPORARY
•A contemporary monologue of your choice
RECALL SELF-TAPE (STAGE 2)
•A different classical speech from the preliminary round
Songs
RECALL SELF-TAPE (STAGE 2)
•An unaccompanied song — verse and chorus only
Wildcard / Special Skill
N/A
Submission Specifications
SELF-TAPE REQUIREMENTS
•Two speeches (classical + contemporary) plus a 1-minute introduction
•Each speech should be up to 2 minutes
•Submitted via RADA's online application portal
•Two-week deadline to upload after application submission
Callback Requirements
Monologues
STAGE 3 — GROUP WORKSHOP
•Perform and workshop the 3 speeches submitted on your self-tapes
•Movement and group dynamic work
•Text analysis exercises
Additional Materials
•Interview with the course director
Good to Know
HOW TO APPLY
•Apply via RADA's online application form at rada.ac.uk (not through UCAS)
•£39 non-refundable application fee (waived if also applying for BA Acting)
•Once your application is submitted, you have two weeks to upload your self-tape video
•Application deadline: 14 January 2026, 11:59pm UK time
IMPORTANT NOTES
•This is a non-accredited course (non-HE) — does NOT attract government funding
•All participants must fund both fees and living costs privately
•No student loan eligibility for this course
•28 participants accepted per year
What's The Process
THREE-STAGE AUDITION PROCESS
•Stage 1 — Preliminary Self-Tape: Submit one classical and one contemporary speech plus introduction; reviewed by two panel members
•Stage 2 — Recall Self-Tape: Submit a different classical speech plus a song (verse and chorus only); reviewed by three panel members
•Stage 3 — In-Person Group Workshop: Perform and workshop the 3 speeches from your self-tapes; includes movement, group dynamics, text analysis, and interview with course director
GENERAL NOTES
•Same application form as BA (Hons) in Acting — you can apply for both simultaneously
•If applying for both, you only pay the £39 fee once
•RADA auditions everyone who applies
•Foundation Course applicants may be redirected from BA (Hons) auditions if the panel believes it is a better fit
•Completing the Foundation Course does NOT guarantee a place on the BA (Hons) — you must re-audition, but skip the preliminary stage
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