The Acting Foundation Course (FACT) is a 6-month intensive (22 week) ensemble based professional training. It aims to give students the vital skills, knowledge and confidence necessary for either further study or for entering the industry directly.
“This course has taught me a huge amount about acting and about myself. I have gained so much more confidence in my abilities and who I am as a person. The tutors have all been so knowledgeable in their subjects and very supportive, each sharing their unique perspective and experience. The group projects in acting, devising and film have been challenging and exciting and an important opportunity to work with many different people.”– Annabel Nicol, FACT Graduate 2025
Why choose this course?
London location
Based in Sidcup with easy access to London and all it has to offer.
Industry connections
FACT classes are based on current industry best practices and are all taught by professionals who are also working in the industry.
Student support
All FACT students have access to a Personal Tutor who is responsible for their pastoral well being, and a Practice Group Tutor who will work with them to find appropriate monologues and guide them through the process of creating professional standard self-tapes.
Course breakdown
The course is delivered across two terms – September to December and January to March – and there are 26 hours of teaching and learning per week. The majority of this time is contact time with tutors and directors, as well as opportunities to develop autonomy and independence.
The first term is 12 weeks’ long
The first 6 weeks are skills based classes and include:
- Acting
- Movement
- Voice
- Improvisation and devising
- Acting for screen
- Singing
- Professional preparation and development (PPD). During this class you will focus on your monologue selection, your headshots and self-tapes, and you will develop your understanding of how the industry works and what it requires of you.
The rest of the term is project based.
It begins with two weeks of ensemble devising, followed by a 3-week exploration of a contemporary text. All the texts are chosen by the Tutor/Director and are based on the needs, skills and challenges of people in the group. These texts are designed to enable each member of the group to have an equal contribution into the project. There are no leading roles – each cast member will be given the same line count and on-stage time.
The second term is 10 weeks long
The first 5 weeks are a continuation of the skills classes from Term 1 – building in rigour and sophistication, and developing on the knowledge gained during the earlier 6 weeks.
The first project of Term 2 is a Filming Project. With staff support, students write, direct and act in a series of original short films which are then screened together during a day of new work.
The final project is a classical text – most likely Shakespeare but not necessarily. Once again the chosen text will be based on it’s suitability for the people in the room and will also be performed as an ensemble.
The final week will include audition preparation and a practice audition with a panel who are unknown to the students. It is important that the experience authentically recreates the conditions of a ‘real’ audition which is why the panel will be made up of people the students won’t have previously worked with.
“There is a lot to be gained from a course steeped in excellent tuition and a personalised caring approach. Whether you are looking to move onto another course, or start your career, the FACT course will assist you with that goal. One of the best experiences of my life.” – Amelia Worssam, FACT Graduate 2024
Your future career
At the end of our programme you will be prepared for the demands of further study or for entering the industry directly.
After the six months students are encouraged to maintain contact with the College so that we can both continue to offer professional advice and support, but also be kept up to date with the students on-going progress.
Foundation graduates have gone on to further study at Rose Bruford College or to other institutions such as Central, East 15, RADA, Drama Centre, Italia Conti, LAMDA, Royal Welsh, Mountview, Guildhall, Drama Studio, Guildhall, The American Academy of Dramatic Art and Stanford University.
FACT Graduates have also successfully found professional employment and agent representation in the UK, EU and USA.
“The RBC FACT Course is an incredible, welcoming and safe environment that caters to each student’s individual personality, strengths and talents. A great starting point for actors looking to explore any path within the acting industry.” – Shira Godsi, FACT Graduate 2023
Course Leader Foundation Acting
Andrew Midgley trained at Rose Bruford in the early 1980’s (Community Theatre Arts) before joining Ed Burman’s InterAction Theatre Company – performing, writing, and directing nationwide tours. From 1995 until 2010 he worked in the Theatre Department at the BRIT School in Croydon, with the additional responsibility of being the Post-16 Pastoral Manager.
He took a sabbatical in 2006 to Lecture in Australia, delivering Drama as a Process for Learning to Post-Graduate training drama teachers (Edith Cowan University, Perth). Andrew is interested in creating new work that looks at the relationship between the audience and the act of making theatre. His MA was in Writing for Performance (Goldsmiths College, University of London).
Read their full profileHow to join
Applications are now open for September 2025 enrolment.
Entry Requirements
Applications are welcome for anyone over 18 years old at time of enrolment. There are no academic qualifications entry requirements.
Applications remain open until the course is full. We understand the unique circumstances of international applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK. To allow enough time for the visa application, international students’ applications must be received no later than 7 February for the March intake and 15 August for the September intake.
Application Guidance
Application and Self-tape
When you submit your online application you will be asked to submit an application form with digital self-tapes, no more than two minutes each, performed in English:
- A Contemporary speech from a play (2000 onwards).
- A Classical speech from either a Shakespeare or Jacobean play.
As part of the application, you will be asked to provide a detailed personal statement expressing why you are interested in studying on the course. Your personal statement should include a summary of your academic, professional and/or life experiences. You should conclude by explaining what your aspirations are once you have completed the programme.
Online Interview
If the self-tape submission is successful, you will be invited to attend an online interview
Useful Information
Please note that these courses are not eligible for Student Finance England (SFE) funding, so you will need to have the funds in place if you are made an offer. All students who are offered a place are required to provide the name of a guarantor before commencing the course.
International students can take part in the course under a standard 6-month visitor visa; a student route visa is not required.
Institution code: Not applicable
Course code: Not applicable
Course Summary
Duration
6 months
Mode of study
Full time
Start date
September 2025
Course Type
Foundation Course
Acting Foundation Course Tuition Fee for UK & International students
£9750