Acting for Stage and Screen Foundation Course – 3 Term (Sept ’26 to July ’27)

Please note that this course is not accredited and does not carry UCAS points or transferrable credit points. You will be awarded a certificate of completion from BOVTS once you have finished the course.

The course takes place at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BS8 2XF). The School is a recognised centre of excellence in drama training and is situated in the Clifton district of the city, overlooking Clifton Downs. Bristol is easy to reach by train from all cities in the UK and by road, being accessible from the M4 and M5 motorways. It also has an international airport.

Application Process

Applicants must be 18 or over by the time of the course start date.

Entry to the Acting for Stage and Screen Foundation Course is through audition and interview. We initially assess your suitability based on the information you provide on the application form as well as your submitted self-tape. A decision will be made by a panel and if successful, you will be contacted for a recall audition. Recall auditions are held in person and may include some taster classes as well as monologue performances, and a short informal interview. You will be auditioned by a two person panel, one of whom will be the Head of Course and you will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the programme.

Application Deadline is 26th March 2026

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through a relevant qualification, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For the Acting Summer Foundation Course, an overall score of 7.0 is normally required, with a minimum of 7.0 in reading, 6.0 in writing, 7.0 in listening and 7.0 in speaking.

For any enquiries regarding making your application, please contact [email protected]. 

We strongly advise you to start thinking about your accommodation as soon as you apply to this course. The School does not have its own halls of residence. In addition to Clifton, areas popular with students include Cotham, Redland, Montpelier, Hotwells and Stoke Bishop. These are within walking distance of the School. Further advice on accommodation is available once you have accepted a place on the course.

Future students

We are looking for dedicated, self-motivated individuals who with to grow and develop as actors. We expect you to be open to learning new skills, techniques and advancing your performance capabilities. Your application should demonstrate an understanding of your personal strengths and weaknesses and any support requirements.

Experience

Whilst extensive previous experience isn’t required for this course, you should have an interest and commitment to learning through the conservatoire style of teaching. When at the School, you will be working with a range of different teachers and industry professionals, so it’s essential that you can work respectfully with others.

Timings

The Acting for Stage and Screen Foundation Course (3 Term) will run from Monday 28th September 2026 – July 2027

Day To Day

There will be classes scheduled for 3 days throughout the week, typically running between 09:00—17:00. Specific days of the week to be confirmed soon.

Fees

The course fees are £9,950 per year which are payable in advance. Please note that we require the full fee of £9,950 or a non-refundable deposit of £500 to secure your place within 20 working days of you receiving an offer. A balance is due 4 weeks before the start of the course.

Loans

Student loans are not available for this course but BOVTS is pleased to announce that bursary support is available for this course in the form of partial fee waivers, dependent on individual circumstances. For further information regarding eligibility criteria and how to apply, please download the Foundation Course Bursary Policy (131, Kb).

Bursaries

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is able to award six bursaries of £5k to support people from underrepresented backgrounds to participate in its Foundation Course. For more information and to apply please complete the online application form. Please note that the deadline for bursary support is the 30th April.

We are continuously on the look out for additional funding opportunities to increase the number of bursaries available, with our ambition to have at least 50% of all students benefiting from a 50% bursary.

T&CS

Please note that in the unlikely event of an insufficient number of student enrolments for this course, BOVTS may choose to suspend or withdraw the course. If this happens, BOVTS will provide as much notice to participants as possible, and will reimburse student fees, but does not bear any responsibility for reimbursing travel or accommodation costs.

Guarantees

Please note that whilst BOVTS believes the foundation course is excellent preparation for auditioning for drama school, there is no guarantee of success at preliminary or recall audition.

The School operates an equity and diversity policy. The School is committed to selecting, training and supporting students, regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion. Applicants to the School are chosen solely on the basis of their talent and potential to develop the skills required for their chosen profession.