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5th January 2026
Exactly one year to the day since we announced the pause in applications to our 3-year BA Professional Acting course, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is proud to announce the launch of a new suite of Acting Foundation Courses designed for aspiring actors who are seeking a pathway into professional training.
Rooted in the School’s 80 year track-record of excellence and student success, these programmes will provide rigorous, conservatoire-style training with the flexibility needed for modern learners.
The launch of the new two-term and three-term Acting Foundation Courses, alongside the well-established 10-week intensive summer foundation mark an important step towards the School’s long-term future ambition for sustainable and accessible professional training for talented individuals.
Accessibility and equity in recruitment and applications is of paramount importance to the delivery of these new Foundation courses explains School Principal Stuart Harvey:
“A year ago we made some very difficult decisions, which ricocheted around the drama school community and echoed far beyond. This was based on our financial stability and the vulnerability of the Higher Education sector and the funding model we have to deliver against.
“Like many Higher Education institutions we are not out of choppy waters yet, but we’re doing everything we can to build a route to a stable and positive future for our School. The new Acting Foundation courses are the first step in that roadmap, and we’re very excited to be launching them now.
“Our aspiration is to make this ‘foundation’ of professional training for aspiring actors as accessible and beneficial as possible. We’ve scrapped audition fees for these courses and we’re working towards a target of 50% of all places on the two-term and three-term courses having 50% bursary funding for the student’s fees.”
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s Acting Foundation Courses are available in three pathways:
– The 10-week Full Time Summer Intensive, ideal for international students and those seeking an immersive short period of study
– 2-Term Full Time Foundation (6 months), for students able to commit to a full-time conservatoire style training timetable. This would also suit international students who can come to the UK and study for 6-months on a travel visa.
– 3-Term Part-Time Foundation (9 months), with three training days per week, a perfectly flexible option for those who need to earn while they train or balance other commitments.
Across all pathways, students will receive industry leading training from specialist practitioners and experience the creative environment of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, one of the World’s most respected actor training institutions.
The Foundation Courses all offer an introduction to the ‘craft’ of acting, singing and musical theatre, movement, stage combat and screen technique. The training is grounded in conservatoire practice with a focus on developing the actor’s voice, body, imagination and preparation for onward training.
Jonathan Grosberg, Foundation Course Leader, is looking forward to welcoming the first cohort:
“This course is the perfect preparation for students wishing to go on to study further at drama school or university, or as a stand alone programme that equips them with the tools needed to begin their journey in the creative industries.”
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is passionate about broadening the reach and accessibility of our training to students who are underrepresented or marginalised within the performing arts, due to race, disability, socioeconomic background, gender identity or sexuality.
We are also keen to encourage young people from Bristol and the wider South West region to think about staying local and training with us.
Applications are now open and will close on March 26th for a start date of September 2026. Visit: www.oldvic.ac.uk/foundation for more information
Stuart Harvey, School Principal said: “To be able to share this news, exactly one year after we revealed we wouldn’t be recruiting for undergraduate courses, and begin this brand-new chapter is amazing. It is a testament to our growth and the fact that Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is moving forward with energy and purpose.”