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Foundation Acting

CertHE · 1 Years · Full-time · 09/2026 · UndergraduateStag Hill

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

Why choose this course
-Our Foundation Acting (CertHE) programme aims to nurture and develop skills and techniques for those who aspire to train within either a conservatoire or higher education environment, in pursuit of a career within the creative industries.

-This course is the perfect step to your professional career offering a mini-taster of what drama school is like if you wish to study acting further.

-Many of our CertHE students go on to study further undergraduate programmes with the Guildford School of Acting (GSA), the University of Surrey, and other higher education institutions. It is a great stepping stone to reaching your professional goal.

What you will study
This is both an innovative and intensive programme-led course and is taught by GSA’s highly skilled tutors and industry professionals. You will have the opportunity to:

Develop a broad range of performance skills relevant to the actor
Receive guidance and preparation for the selection and delivery of monologues required for auditions onto professional performance programmes
Study audition technique
Access support and guidance for the submission of applications to conservatoires and higher education institutions
Enjoy practical workshops
Engage with basic camera techniques and skills required for further screen acting training
Perform in a performance project of work within one of GSA’s performance venues.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Stag Hill

Study options

  • CertHE • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • 09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W411
Institution code:
S85
Campus name:
Stag Hill
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Surrey has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W411
Institution code:
S85
Campus name:
Stag Hill
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We are proud to be one of the most culturally diverse universities in the UK, with more than 140 nationalities playing a role in university life. Our International Recruitment team are here to help you throughout the application process – from advising on choosing the right course to applying for a visa and preparing for your first few weeks at Surrey. You can contact them via international@surrey.ac.uk

Applicants who require a Student Visa to study in the UK:
To apply for a Student Visa, you must have a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) for the University you wish to study at. This is a unique number which will enable you to apply for your visa. The University is under no legal obligation to sponsor any individual and exercises caution with respect to issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to avoid risking its status as a Student sponsor. Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) will be issued in accordance with the Student Route and CAS Issuing Policy, available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/policies

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Foundation Acting at University of Surrey: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

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Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - CCD

Overall: CCD. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element. Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM

Overall: MMM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 18 credits M: 3 credits P: 24 credits

Overall: QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 18 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and 24 at Pass.

Scottish Higher - BBCCC

Overall: Higher grades BBCCC. GCSE or equivalent: English Language - Scottish National 5 - C Maths - Scottish National 5 - C.

Scottish Advanced Higher - CCD

Overall: CCD GCSE or equivalent: English Language - Scottish National 5 - C Maths - Scottish National 5 - C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points

Overall: 28 GCSE or equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Maths (either course) HL4/SL4.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Overall: Pass overall with CCD from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels. Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass the practical element. GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level dropdown for the required GCSE levels. Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme, may also be considered.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language at Grade C(4) and Mathematics at Grade C (4) (or equivalent).

T Level - P

Overall: Pass overall, with minimum C in the Core Component. GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at Grade 4 (C).

Applications are considered on an individual basis, taking into account qualifications achieved, predicted grades, personal statement and academic reference. Conditional offers are specified in terms of required grades; we do not make offers in terms of overall UCAS tariff.

Candidates who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the programme, may also be considered.

We understand that predicted grades are an estimate and will consider applicants who have predicted grades that are a little lower than our published requirement. Any offers we make will align with the grades shown above unless a grade reduction can be offered under our Contextual Admissions policy or our In2Surrey scheme. Details can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/schools-colleges/contextual-admissions-policy

Applicants with a mixed qualification profile (e.g. those taking A-levels and BTEC qualifications) are encouraged to contact admissions@surrey.ac.uk for guidance on the grades accepted.

Additional entry requirements

Audition
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. A non-refundable audition fee will be charged.
Interview

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/international/english-language-requirements

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for up-to-date information on our fees for 2026/27:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/undergraduate-2026-entry

Sponsorship information

The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.

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