As one of the world’s oldest and most renowned drama schools, LAMDA has been a pioneer in conservatoire training for over 160 years. We remain so today, with a transformative training ethos designed to educate and inspire the next generation of performers, technicians and directors.
There’s never been a more exciting time to train at LAMDA. In 2024, LAMDA was ranked number one in The Guardian’ s UK Universities Guide for Drama and Dance and as one of the top 10 global drama schools in The Hollywood Reporter ’s annual list. In the 2024 National Student Survey, we achieved exceptional results for student satisfaction for the second year in a row, with an emphasis on quality of teaching, learning opportunities, academic support and student wellbeing.
There have been many highlights over the past year. We partnered with RD Studios on the launch of a new filmmaking competition; hosted our bi-annual MishMash Festival; celebrated three students getting to the finals of the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition; watched our Musical Theatre students perform at Edinburgh Fringe; and joined staff and students at the London Pride Parade.
Following a £1.9 million grant from the Office for Students, LAMDA is now home to stateof-the-art virtual production and motion capture studios. These facilities ensure that our students graduate with in demand skills for today’s creative industries.
Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to provide an environment where everyone feels welcome and where students are empowered to develop their own unique artistic voice. Our international community of staff and students encompasses an array of backgrounds, cultures and perspectives, all contributing to a vibrant ensemble.
In this prospectus, you’ll get a sense of the incredible opportunities that a life at LAMDA can provide. I look forward to meeting some of you next year.
Professor Mark O’Thomas Principal and CEO
Our Training Ethos
Tradition & Innovation
In these ever-changing times for the industry and drama schools, LAMDA’s focus lies on balancing individual care with first-class training. We thrive on promoting a fun, experimental culture where joy and playfulness meet a disciplined approach to the craft. With a mix of different methods, we’ll help you explore and discover what clicks with your unique artistic voice.
LAMDA blends a rich tradition of actor training with an eye on what’s happening now and what’s coming next in the industry. By combining time-honoured practices with fresh, innovative approaches, our excellent faculty ensures your training is upto-date and relevant. This means you’ll develop versatile skills in both theatre and screen acting, gearing you up for a dynamic and ever-evolving industry. We’re here to arm you with a robust set of expressive, technical, and professional skills, making sure you’re ready to work in any medium and set you on the path to a successful career.
Ensemble Ethos
At LAMDA, we’re all about working together. We believe in the power of the collective, where everyone’s contribution makes the whole stronger. From students to faculty, we aim to create a supportive and inclusive environment filled with respect, empathy, honesty, and kindness. We encourage you to engage with each other and the world with openness and generosity, and to embrace diverse perspectives with curiosity. This helps build meaningful connections, accountability, and mutual support.
Our ensemble culture creates a space where you feel brave, seen, and empowered. We want you to take creative risks, play, fail, and try again because that’s how true growth happens!
Independence & Professionalism
While collaboration is key, we also emphasize the importance of independence and self-understanding. Our training nurtures self-reliance, self-reflection, and self-discovery, guiding you to find your own voice and bring authenticity and individuality to your performances, ensuring you meet the challenges of the industry and keep challenging yourself through your work.
We aim to instill a strong sense of respect and accountability in our actors. Respecting the work, the space, and each other is fundamental. We encourage you to take responsibility for your actions and contributions, fostering a culture of professionalism that’s essential for thriving in the professional world. We can’t wait to welcome you into the LAMDA family!
Dr. Philippa Strandberg-Long Director of Actor Training and Drama School
Short Courses
Shakespeare Summer Schools:
Experience an unforgettable summer exploring the works, craft and history of Shakespeare and his contemporaries in 2, 4 or 8-week programmes.
Introduction to Actor Training:
Get your first taste of actor training and experience life at LAMDA first-hand.
Introduction to Screen Acting:
Gain a deeper understanding of how to approach screen acting in this introductory course.
Whatever your skill-level or experience, our short courses have been curated to meet different needs and audiences – whether you’re a professional actor looking to bolster your CV, or want to get your first glimpse into what training at a conservatoire really involves.
Short courses take place throughout the year, giving you flexibility to choose the right course and right time to train, with week day, evening and school holiday courses available. Visit lamda.ac.uk/short-courses to view our upcoming courses.
Bespoke Courses
LAMDA also offers Bespoke Courses, based on the requirements and interests of specific groups. These courses are created in consultation with institutions and communities, and aim to bring LAMDA’s expertise, ethos and practice, to specific areas of interest.
Musical Theatre:
Hone the skills required to perform musical theatre and audition for Musical Theatre courses.
Acting with English as an Additional Language:
Learn skills in movement and voice to develop your confidence when performing in English as an additional language.
Semester Programme in Classical Acting
Looking for a shorter period of intensive training?
Our 14-week programme is the perfect introduction to conservatoire training, with the opportunity to immerse yourself in LAMDA life while training in one of the cultural capitals of the world.
Taking place each autumn and spring, the course is carefully designed to develop your repertoire of practical skills, helping you to achieve your potential as an actor. Reflective of the training on our degree courses, you’ll explore the essential core techniques required to build your practice, with classes covering acting, voice, movement, singing and more.
Across an insightful and rewarding term of LAMDA training, you’ll learn how to approach classical texts skilfully and experience our world-class training in classes led by specialist practitioners and industry professionals.
Highlights
Fully immerse yourself in life at LAMDA, training alongside fellow students from all backgrounds.
Deepen your engagement with British classical texts, such as studying scenes from Shakespeare’s iconic works.
Work with leading industry professionals and alumni.
This course is worth 15 college credits (US) or 60 credits (UK).
“I’ve really had such a wonderful time at LAMDA these past few weeks. It’s taught me a lot about myself and the type of theatre that I want to pursue. LAMDA does such a wonderful job of prioritising process over product and ensuring that there’s a wellrounded ensemble culture. I’m really going to miss being here!”
Megha Thyagarajan Semester Student (Spring 2024)
Our Building & Facilities
LAMDA’s building is a hive of activity from dawn until dusk, with students across our core and short courses in full-time training. In the evenings, our doors are often open to the general public and industry professionals for productions in our three theatre spaces. On the weekends, we regularly host LAMDA Exams learners for our London Public Centre events.
The Sainsbury Theatre
Our largest theatre space, the Sainsbury is a state-of-the-art proscenium arch theatre with a full height fly tower, seating up to 220 people.
Studio Theatres
The Carne Studio Theatre and the Linbury Theatre are our flexible, black box studio spaces, seating 120 and 90 people respectively.
Rehearsal Spaces
Our 14 rehearsal studios are versatile spaces for students to rehearse and train in, with many featuring spring vinyl flooring for dance, movement and stage combat work.
Production & Technical Arts Workshops
On-site workshops are used for prop-making, scenic construction and electrical work by our Production & Technical Arts students.
Screen & Audio Facilities
Our professional recording studio, edit suite and filmmaking equipment are used for a range of screen and audio projects, including voiceover work, short films and showreels.
Library
The library is filled with plays and critical texts to help students with research, dissertations and other academic assignments.
Screen Technology
LAMDA is at the forefront of dramatic arts education, embracing technological innovation to redefine the future of storytelling. A £1.9m investment from the Office for Students has enabled us to equip our stateof-the-art facilities with Virtual Production and Motion Capture technologies. This cutting-edge infrastructure empowers our students to become pioneers in a rapidly evolving industry, while also providing a platform for groundbreaking research and development.
Virtual Production Volume
The volume is used by Acting and Production & Technical Arts students working on screen projects. This industry-leading technology enables filmmakers to create and visualise scenes in real-time using a large LED wall.
Motion Capture Studio
Our motion capture studio transforms physical actor performances into digital movements, training our students to become the next generation of digital performers in films, games and other media.
Acting & Directing Alumni
Throughout our 160-year history, LAMDA alumni have gone on to become creatives, innovators, actors, musical theatre performers, directors, technical artists and leaders across the performing arts sector and wider creative industries. Today, they continue to forge long-lasting, successful careers that are transforming the landscape of the arts.
A unique part of LAMDA is LAMDA Exams, which inspires and empowers learners across the globe to be confident communicators.
LAMDA Exams is an awarding body offering world-renowned qualifications in communication and performance, with over 100,000 learners across the world taking our exams each year.
Whether you’re interested in musical theatre or curious about mime, love to act in a group or prefer performing solo, want to improve your public speaking skills or explore devising drama, there is a LAMDA Exam for you.
LAMDA Exams carry UCAS points to help with university applications and can count towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award. LAMDA students training on some of our Acting degrees can also learn to teach the qualifications as part of their course.
‘The skills I gained from LAMDA Exams undoubtedly led me to where I am today’
Communication exams: Speaking Verse and Prose, Reading for Performance, Speaking in Public, PCertLAM
‘My child now has the poise, confidence and speaking skills to go into unknown situations and talk to individuals and groups’
Ways to contact us
How to find us
Speak to students
Access blogs and vlogs written and created by our students. Reach out to them via our website with questions about the student experience: lamda.ac.uk/life-lamda/meet-our-student-ambassadors
Contact Admissions
Speak to our Admissions Team about accommodation, visas, the application process or individual applications:
Tel: [+44] (0) 20 8834 0500
Email: admissions@lamda.ac.uk
Contact LAMDA Exams
Speak to a member of our LAMDA Exams Customer Service Team: Tel: [+44] (0) 20 8834 0500
