*You will receive a Certificate of Higher Education Musical Theatre qualification on completion of this course.*
Please note that this foundation course does not form part of our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree and does not offer automatic progression to other degrees.
The Foundation programme in Musical Theatre 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.
The Foundation Programme is both an innovative and intensive course led and taught by GSA’s highly experienced tutors and industry professionals. Graduates of the Foundation Acting programme have successfully gained places at: RADA, LAMDA, GSA, ALRA, LIPA, East 15, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Mountview, Central School of Speech and Drama, Arts Ed, Rose Bruford, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Manchester Metropolitan. Past Foundation Acting students have also gone on to successfully form their own theatre companies, become playwrights, directors, and filmmakers.
We are ranked 1st in the UK for drama and music in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026, and 3rd in the UK for dance, drama, and cinematics in The Complete University Guide 2026.
The Foundation Musical Theatre course at GSA is a stand-alone, rigorous one-year intensive course that aims to nurture and develop skills and techniques to further a career in Musical Theatre. For many, it prepares students who wish to go on to train within a conservatoire or Higher Education environment, successfully gaining entry to BA and MA Acting programmes. For some Graduating students, it has been a direct path of pursuing a career within the creative industries after their one-year training.
Ameer Choudrie, Programme Leader
Why Choose This Course?
- Professional-quality training: Experience acting, singing, and dance training and practical workshops led by expert tutors with extensive professional experience in the performing arts.
- Small cohort, personal attention: Our deliberately small class sizes ensure you receive individual guidance, feedback, and mentoring throughout your training.
- Performance opportunities: You will take part in public productions and projects, giving you hands-on experience and the confidence to perform in front of an audience.
- Preparation for higher-level study: This course is designed as a stepping stone to conservatoire-level BA and MA programmes, providing the essential skills and audition preparation needed to progress.
- Insight into the industry: Gain exposure to the professional acting world through masterclasses, workshops, and networking opportunities with visiting theatre and film professionals.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train in some of the UK's best professional facilities within the conservatoire sector. As part of the University of Surrey, you'll also have full access to the university's amenities, offering world-class conservatoire training in a top university environment.
- Proximity to London & industry connections
Located on the Surrey campus with good transport links to London, you benefit from access to the heart of the UK theatre scene and networks of agents and theatre professionals.
What you will study
The programme, delivered over three terms, focuses on the different disciplines required of the contemporary musical theatre performer and delivers a diverse and extensive range of subjects around the following core areas:
Classes are streamed with GSA BA and MA performance programmes based on ability and knowledge.
Guidance and preparation for the selection and delivery of contemporary and classical monologues, and song repertoire choices required for auditions onto professional performance programmes. Audition technique is taught in group and one-to-one sessions.
Understanding and analysing narrative through conveying truth and circumstance within the context of music and lyrics.
Students will develop approaches and techniques to acting and text analysis through the study and practice of contemporary and classical scenes.
Skill-based classes are delivered within the programme. These will include:
- Voice
- Singing
- One to one Singing Tutorials
Workshops and masterclasses will be delivered by West End professionals and by faculty members from fellow conservatoires and other training institutions on their courses to ensure students are fully informed about the further training options available to them.
Students are offered support and guidance for the submission of applications to conservatoires and higher education institutions.
Throughout the training, students will work on Projects.
In Teaching Block 1, this starts with Ensemble Storytelling and moves onto a Text-Based Project. This could be either a Contemporary, Naturalism, or American Realism text with an internal "work in progress" sharing of selected scenes at the end of this teaching block.
In Teaching Block 2, students work on a Musical Theatre project focusing on the development of a broad range of performance skills relevant to the burgeoning musical theatre performer and putting it into practice.
To end Teaching Block 2, students will work on a one-week Acting for-camera project with an industry professional, learning the basic camera techniques and skills required for further Screen Actor training.
To finish your training, in Teaching Block 3, students will perform in a professionally supported Public Performance Project of work within one of GSA’s performance venues.
We can accept students aged 18 and over. Please bear in mind that if you are planning to progress to drama school or university after the Foundation (CertHE) Course, you may need to have the necessary qualifications to meet their entry requirements.
To view the entry requirements, please click here.
For more audition information, please visit AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
Find out more about fees and funding here.
Please note that government loans are available for this course.
Visit our Scholarships and Bursaries page for more details.
Experienced staff in our International Student Office are available to help from the moment you consider studying at the University. We offer professional advice on immigration, visa issues, entry qualifications, pre-departure information, employment regulations and international student welfare.
Auditions
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.
For more audition information, please visit AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
A non-refundable audition fee will be charged.
Why study at GSA
Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is one of the UK’s leading accredited drama schools, providing dedicated conservatoire training within a purpose-built environment on the University of Surrey campus.
GSA operates a pedagogic approach that utilises student-centred learning. Every module has an ethos of nurturing and enabling employability and personal development opportunities for the students. Our working practices encourage dialogue and are most effective when a collaborative approach is undertaken. Our learning environment grants our students the freedom to take risks and to embrace spontaneity.
We keep our cohorts small to ensure you get personal attention and contact from our expert teachers, who have extensive first-hand experience in professional theatre in the UK, Europe, America, and all around the world.
We are ranked 1st in the UK for drama and music in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026, and 3rd in the UK for dance, drama, and cinematics in The Complete University Guide 2026.
98.9% of our graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes survey 2025, HESA)
GSA is accredited by the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS).
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