Course
Overview
This course is ideal for actors who have a passion for performing and creating material for screen and emerging digital platforms.
You will develop a diverse set of performance skills across TV, film, online, voice for audio, and motion capture. You will also develop off-camera skills as a writer, director and producer.
Your training starts with established essential acting techniques while you develop technical production skills and work on short films. As you progress you move to multi-camera studio, audio and live digital theatre work. In your final year, you work with professional film and theatre makers to create a short film and a live multimedia show, both for a public audience.
GRADUATING ACTORS 2026
It is with great pleasure that we present our graduating Actors from BA (Hons) Acting and BA (Hons) Acting (Screen & Digital) for 2026.
What You Will
Study
The Actor’s Preparation: Acting & Screen Principles I
In this module you develop the fundamental skills needed to prepare text and create performance for both a live audience and for screen. You examine different practitioner approaches and develop your acting skills through the contemporary re-interpretation of the Stanislavskian system. Modern texts and screenplays from a diverse range of writers provide a framework for text analysis and the application of technique in presentations to peers. The emphasis is on process and not performance. You are encouraged to move beyond self-consciousness in a collaborative and supportive atmosphere with your peers. Movement and voice studies underpin this module.
The Actor’s Preparation: Acting & Screen Principles II
This module deepens your understanding and engagement with practitioners' work. As part of an ensemble, you work on a single text from a globalised canon of work. Exploring the rehearsal process, you integrate psychological, physical, and vocal approaches to create character, while considering the boundaries of an inclusive, respectful rehearsal space. Your movement training helps you to understand weight, tension, effort, rhythm, and ‘animal’ characteristics. Voice sessions assist your understanding of vocal resonance, range, accent, speech and text. Screen acting continues challenging you to explore notions of performative size.
The Actor’s Preparation: Acting & Screen Principles III
This module develops your screen acting further as you position yourself as an auteur. You explore your own creative voice, using the short film format as a platform. You develop the technical screen production skills essential to the modern actor while working with greater independence in small groups. You gain deeper insight into a diverse range of filmmakers, developing a conversation between the technical and the creative, presented to peers in an end of year sharing.
Artistic Practice I [Shared Module across all BA Acting courses]
In this module, you will develop the necessary skills to create original work and extend your ability to work as part of a creative ensemble. Narrative and performance sessions include devised, verbatim and site-specific approaches to generating original works. As part of a small group, you create a short staged, digital or audio performance. Alongside creative skills you undertake research and development, understanding cultural perspectives and audience demographics to ensure your work is relevant to a contemporary audience. You are introduced to business and enterprise skills so you are familiar with the practicalities of staging and managing an event.
The Actor’s Process: Screen & Digital Project I
In this module you advance your technical knowledge as you consolidate practitioner approaches by applying them to a variety of studio performance forms. You experience the accelerated industry processes of studio work and its emphasis on independent decision making. You work with a director to explore a multi-cam environment for both acting and presenting, understanding the role of the performer relative to other production roles. You explore screen comedy as a heightened performance style, recognising its history, tropes and significance.
The Actor’s Process: Screen & Digital Project II
In this project you apply your developing process to heightened works, including Shakespeare, and explore the accessible technology behind live casting so you can make your own digital theatre event. You take responsibility for realising the demands of the material and are expected to identify appropriate methods and techniques for approaching historical texts. Movement supports your ability to find physical expansion and play. Vocal approaches allow you to adapt for verse and metre. Production skills training includes camera operation and vision mixing as you develop your visual storytelling techniques.
The Actor’s Process: Screen & Digital Project III
This module introduces you to the technical skills, industry requirements and creative possibilities of digital audio work for the actor, in particular when working from a home studio and an industry audio suite. You explore Voice Acting as part of a portfolio career, beginning to develop your own voice reel, containing commercials, audiobooks and podcasting. You supplement your technical skills with further production training which, along with analysis of the industry and your creativity, enables you to develop your own podcast and produce your own digital audio work. Work on audiobooks and audio drama completes the module.
Artistic Practice II [Shared Module across all BA Acting courses]
In this module you develop your creativity by researching and originating a personal performance of your choice. This could be a script submission, micro-musical or play reading, short film or screening. You investigate cultural perspectives around your chosen subject area/theme to discover the technical demands of your piece and adapt it to ensure it is original and inventive. You further your business and industry skills, including project planning and target audiences as well as honing your audition technique.
The Actor’s Performance: Professional Screen & Digital Production I
This module provides industry equivalent experience of independent film production. Working with industry filmmakers you realise a series of short films for public screening, working from story concept to picture lock. You reach professional standards and expectations, working independently to research and prepare for the production process and meet the vision of your director and creative team. You exercise your ability to demonstrate technical aptitude, professionalism, organisation, and time management skills.
The Actor’s Performance: Professional Screen & Digital Production II
In this module you work with professional theatre-makers, including students from other courses, to realise an original live multi-media public production. You experience a full-time, professional-equivalent rehearsal process and public performances with industry level expectations. You work independently to research and prepare for rehearsals and to collaborate with your director and creative team. You exercise your ability to reprise and develop your work in rehearsal while managing workloads effectively.
The Actor’s Performance: Professional Screen & Digital Production III
This module is your springboard to the creative industries. You curate a promotional digital portfolio. Having researched appropriate industry networks, you use this portfolio when contacting potential employers in preparation for your future career. You take part in a live industry showcase, generate showreels, voice reels and additional promotional material according to your career plans and employment aspirations. Work produced on this module is public-facing and can be used to secure an agent or present yourself to future employers.
Artistic Practice III [Shared Module across all BA Acting courses]
This module brings together your independent research, creative enterprise skills and professionalism as you advance your ability to develop and create new material. Supervised by a mentor, you adopt both a creative and a production role as you generate a brand-new piece of work for our annual festival of new writing. You may also improve your independent entrepreneurial and project management skills by developing a solo project.
How You Will
Study
-
Technical skills classes
-
Performances
-
Lectures
-
Seminars
-
Workshops
-
Independent study
-
Group Work
-
Masterclass
How You Will Be
Assessed
Your assessment takes place during practical classes and rehearsals, performances and your reflective journals. Overall, assessment is based on applications of technique in performance situations, either in front of a camera, an audience or in workshops.
The coursework element is focussed on your future career, your working environment and critical life skills. In your third year you undertake an optional practical or written research project. Again, career focussed and chosen by you.
Practical/written work ratio
80% practical work / 20% portfolio*
*this can take the format of a vlog or an audio recording
Our
Facilities
Rehearsal Rooms
LIPA’s spacious rehearsal rooms are predominantly used for workshop-style teaching and as rehearsal spaces in the lead up to performances. Some of these have their own sound and lighting facilities.
The Sennheiser TV Studio
The Sennheiser TV Studio is a fully realised TV and broadcast studio. The studio, along with motion capture and editing, sound and grading suites, was completed in 2020. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to replicate a professional environment and support learning.
Performance Spaces
LIPA is home to seven licensed performance venues, the largest of which is our Paul McCartney Auditorium (PMA). The PMA is a 400-seater, traditional proscenium arch theatre with flexible seating arrangements and staging configurations. Our George Harrison Workshop Studio (GHWS) seats 100 people and is a fully equipped experimental performance space that offers creatives and performers a ‘blank canvas’ for productions. As well as immersive and promenade performances, it can also host more traditional theatrical productions with a variety of stage and audience configurations.
Alongside these two showcase venues, performances also take place throughout LIPA, including in our bar, café, Sennheiser TV studio, and Hope Place Studio (seating 80). Each year we stage over 50 performances across a wide range of styles and genres – meaning there’s always something going on.
Technical Services
LIPA’s Technical Services team can help with general technical queries and booking out equipment for short-term loan. Loan equipment includes musical instruments, microphones, various recording and playback equipment, digital video and stills cameras and AV equipment.
Term-time opening hours allow you access to Technical Services from 9am until 11pm every weekday and 9am until 5pm on Saturday and 11am until 5pm on Sunday. Outside of term time it is open on weekdays from 9am - 5pm.
Learning Resources Centre
LIPA’s Learning Resources Centre (LRC) is a specialist creative and performing arts library with an extensive collection of books, e-books, scores, CDs, DVDs, e-resources, print and electronic journals. Whether you are looking for individual songs or scripts, background research or creative inspiration, the LRC Team will be able to help. The LRC offer support sessions in ICT and study skills through subject specific lectures, as well as one-to-one and drop-in sessions, ensuring you get the most out of your study.
The LRC website provides the gateway to LIPA’s online catalogue and electronic resources and includes links to a wide selection of help sheets and video guides. In addition, LIPA’s virtual learning provision which includes Moodle, holds a variety of subject-specific learning materials, such as lecture notes, useful web links and module information. The majority of these services are available off-campus.
LIPA’s integrated learning environment has a variety of study spaces, including individual and group work areas, and an open-access computer suite. Facilities include printing, copying and scanning, plus binding and laminating equipment. A range of stationery is available for purchase to support your studies.
Opening hours during term-time are Monday and Wednesday 9.00am to 6.00pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9.00am to 8.00pm, Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. The LRC may be closed for some weeks in June and is also closed during July and August.
ICT Services
LIPA's Information, Communications and Technology Department provides the infrastructure and services framework that enable students to exploit the latest information and communication developments.
Industry-standard computer resources are running the latest productivity software on high specification workstations in dedicated computer suites. LIPA also has a colour A0 plotter, ideal for floor plans.
All PCs are installed with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office & Project as standard. There is also access to a range of additional specialist software installed on selected workstations. These include AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud applications, EarMaster, Sibelius, MindManager, Vectorworks and WYSIWYG.
All workstations have access to the Internet, email and other electronic resources. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout our buildings for students and staff members via the Eduroam network which provides a world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community.
Specialist ICT staff are available to answer questions, give assistance and advise on ICT issues.
LIPA Bar and Canteen
As well as serving food and drink, the bar and canteen are the hub of social activity within LIPA with both spaces licensed for performances.
The canteen is the venue for LIPA’s weekly gig night, The 2ube. Most Fridays the 2ube features live performances, showcasing musicians from LIPA and Liverpool’s music scene. The event is a collaboration between Management, Music, Sound Technology and Theatre & Performance Technology students.
The canteen also hosts open mic and jukebox shuffle nights, and independent student organised performances and benefit nights. The bar hosts regular quiz nights and Student Event Board parties.
The bar is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 3pm - 11pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 3pm - 10pm, with extended hours for special events.
The canteen is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 3pm, serving food and drink at student-friendly prices.
LIPA is also home to a 92 Degrees Coffee shop. The popular Liverpool independent has a number of coffee stores and roasteries across the north west. It serves up barista coffee and cakes in the Art School Atrium during term time.
Will Hammond
Director of School of Performance
Will has worked in theatre, TV, film and radio. Having worked across mediums and platforms, Will can support students to become adaptable. His credits include the BBC, Lime Pictures, Greenwich Films, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Paines Plough, Frantic Assembly and Soho Theatre. Will has won the High Sheriff Award for New Writing from the Stephen Joseph Theatre, judged by Sir Alan Ayckbourn. He co-wrote the musical Kate and the Devil, which was shortlisted for the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Award 2015. He feels it is important for actors to cultivate their own independent approach to acting in preparation for sustainable careers.
David Salter
Head of Acting
David is an award-winning theatre director and acting teacher.
Previously he has taught and directed at a number of drama schools including RADA, Mountview, Rose Bruford College, Drama Centre, The American Academy of Performing Arts, New National Theatre Drama Studio, Tokyo and the Manchester School of Theatre, where he led the Acting Programme.
David attended the Director’s Course at the Royal National Theatre Studio and has directed productions across the UK and internationally, including Brecht’s The Life of Galileo at the Studio Theatre, Washington DC. David was associate director to Peter Stein on David Harrower’s Blackbird at the Edinburgh International Festival, to Howard Barker on his production of Scenes From An Execution at the Barbican and on numerous productions at the Almeida Theatre including Richard II with Ralph Fiennes and the world premiere of The Shape of Things with Rachel Weisz and Paul Rudd.
publications
Contributor to ‘Actor Trainers on Acting: For The Twenty First Century’ Edited by Professor Anna McNamara for Routledge (upcoming)
Alan Pearce
Programme Leader: BA Acting (Screen & Digital)
Alan has worked as an actor for 20 years; in live performance at The National Theatre for Nicholas Hynter and in the West End for Rupert Goold; on film in Star Wars: Rogue One; Darkest Hour with Gary Oldman; on TV in Black Mirror and in season 2 of His Dark Materials. Alan has taught screen acting for 10 years at LAMDA and UCA, gaining a PGCert in Arts education in 2018; writing and directing over 15 short films for training actors.
Matthew Dudley
Lecturer
Matthew has taught on and led professional training and degree programmes for over 15 years. After studying at Trinity College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he performed in the UK and in Europe. Matthew has taught voice, text and singing at several respected training institutions, including Guildford School of Acting and Italia Conti, and has delivered workshops throughout the UK for organisations such as Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and the British Voice Association. He is a certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework and has taught on the certification programme in Los Angeles. His teaching is influenced by his study of classical and contemporary voicework, and incorporates movement work, mindfulness and concepts taken from his study of psychotherapeutic modalities.
Gary Horner
Technical Skills Coordinator
Gary trained as an actor at Guildford School of Acting before going on to work professionally throughout the UK. Subsequently he went on to gain his MA from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in Voice studies and trained intensively with author of Freeing the Natural Voice, Kristin Linklater to become a designated Linklater teacher. Gary is an internationally recognised voice coach and director and has worked extensively within the UK Drama School sector.
Alongside being the course leader for the MA in Acting (Company) at LIPA, Gary continues to work professionally as a voice coach and director. Mostly recently, Gary was an associate voice coach on Henry VI part 3 at The Royal Shakespeare Company. Prior to this some of Gary’s credits include Matilda the musical (Cambridge Theatre, London), Acts of Resistance (Bristol Old Vic), The Boy with Two Hearts (Wales Millennium Centre / The Royal National Theatre), Brainstorm (The Royal National Theatre), Sour Lips (Oval House Theatre), The Arsonists (Watford Palace Theatre), Bush Bazaar (The Bush Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (The Chocolate Factory), Titus Andronicus (Bedlam Theatre/UK TOUR), In His Image (Hampstead Theatre), Reverie (Pleasance Theatre), Hello, Mr Capello (Watford Palace Theatre).
Gary oversees the development and delivery of the MA Acting (Company) course, as well as delivering across the BA and Foundation courses within the Acting department. He directs projects, final year productions and teaches technical voice and voice into text.
Working within the theatre industry with some of the biggest theatre companies and theatres around the UK allows Gary to understand the current trends within the professional sphere and ensures that the training he delivers at LIPA is relevant and fully prepares students for entering into the acting industry.
Publications/research
A non-elitist approach to Professional Development in Actor Training - Drama and Theatre Publication – Summer Term 1 – 2019/20 (Publication)
Northern Centre for Voice and Movement bringing Cultural Capital to a forgotten land – International Network for Voice Symposium – 2019 (Presentation)
Beth Vyse
Lecturer
Beth is a critically acclaimed and award-winning creator/performer. She recently finished an international tour of her own show As Funny As Cancer, she also has national and regional theatre, global RSC, BBC, and ITV credits to her name. Over the last 20 years she has worked tirelessly within an industry she adores to become an established comedian, director, and lecturer – sharing her wealth of experience to help educate and encourage those with her shared passion for performance.
What Our
Graduates Do
We expect that graduates from this new course will be contemporary screen actors capable of creating employment for themselves and others in today’s recorded and digital world. Your likely future work will be as performers in TV, film, ADR, scripted reality, virtual reality, motion capture, gaming and online. Other career outcomes will be as TV presenters, online influencers, directors, scriptwriters, content creators and podcasters.
Related
News
Watch: award-winning film created by LIPA students and grads
Winter/Spring season of public performances
Acting grad has major roles in two huge TV shows
Gallery: Term one productions 2025/26
A busy and creative Christmas for LIPA grads
LIPA secures £2.5m Office for Students capital funding to deliver new performance and digital innovation hub
Autumn/Winter Season of public performances
LIPA achieves major milestone: new degree awarding powers
Gallery: Graduation 2025
Sir Paul McCartney honours leading arts figures at LIPA graduation
LIPA grads and students head to Edinburgh Fringe
Bryn Holding: ‘the seeds of being a director were sown at LIPA’
Watch: Acting grad Jak Malone wins Tony Award
James Nesbitt Q&A: six key takeaways
Watch: One Night, Four Films
Tony Award nominations for two LIPA graduates
LIPA grad Jessica Reynolds to star in new Channel Four drama
LIPA grad to direct Michael Sheen in Welsh National Theatre’s debut season
Life after LIPA: Acting graduate Sian Polhill-Thomas
Acting student set for West End showcase
Acting grad makes Broadway debut
Acting grad Matthew Khan: Waterloo Road was a 'sink or swim' moment
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: LIPA grad heads back to Liverpool in ‘bucket list’ role
Three LIPA grads listed in The Stage 100
LIPA grads get creative for Christmas
New Acting course: 'It's an opportunity to take tradition and flip it upside down'
‘Films have a way of finding you out’ - Sir Sam Mendes at LIPA
“This award is and will always be so special to me”: LIPA grad wins ‘We See You’ award at the SoulFest Short Film Festival
LIPA shortlisted for environmental award
LIPA grads and students at Edinburgh Fringe
Gallery: Graduation 2024
Award-winning LIPA grad honoured by Sir Paul McCartney
LIPA grads help bring iconic Liverpool TV show to the West End
LIPA graduates' new play launches in London
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith MBE: Six key takeaways
FutureProof festival showcases LIPA's creative talents
‘My knees buckled’ - grad Jak Malone on winning an Olivier
Two Olivier Awards for LIPA graduates
LIPA grads taken aback by reaction to ‘Rockstar’ Bluey
Educational qualifications are important but limited in what they can tell us about you.
Your natural ability, your fit with what and how we teach, your growth and your potential are also key factors in our admission process. We can’t evaluate these solely on your educational achievements, so no matter which course you are applying for, we look for the following attributes on your application and at the interview stage.
Additional Costs
As part of this course, there are likely to be some additional costs that are not included within your tuition fees. Many of these are optional. We’ve also included information about cost-of-living expenses in Liverpool in this section. After you accept our offer, we'll send you a list of books and equipment that we'd like you to bring. We recommend that you bring specific clothing and footwear for your practical classes. These are standard items of clothing that you will need as a working actor.
Here are the key course-related costs that we'd expect you to pay during your three years with us, in addition to your tuition fees:
Headshots and joining Spotlight
Headshots are vital marketing tools. In your final year, you need to invest in headshots to present yourself as a professional. We encourage you to undertake research into which photographer to work with. Our students typically pay around £80 to £120 for their headshots. Professionally taken headshots can cost over £300 in London. It is compulsory for you to supply a headshot so you can take part in the showcases which are an assessed part of the course.
Being a member of Spotlight is important for finding work in the UK, so you will need to join in your final year. (The Actors Spotlight Membership fee costs just over £150).
Trips and training courses
As part of the various modules on the programme, some class trips may be offered to help support your learning. Some of these will form part of the curriculum but most will be important additions to your work. Some trips may be free or subsidised but you may be required to cover some costs yourself. Please allow up to £100 for these throughout the year.
Seeing shows
You should see live performances as often as you can. This is not compulsory, but it will help your development as a creative practitioner. Trips to the theatre and live events are not covered by your tuition fees, so you'll need to cover these costs yourself. We are occasionally offered a limited number of free or discounted tickets for shows in the city. We also encourage you to see LIPA shows. We offer discounted student tickets to make this as affordable as possible.
Portfolio
At the end of Year Three you are required to create a professional standard portfolio. There are inevitably printing and binding costs associated with this task, but most people see it as an important investment for their future career. You may also want to include head shots. We encourage you to undertake research into which photographer to work with. Our students typically pay around £80 to £120 for their headshots. Professionally-taken headshots can cost over £300 in London.
Project Work
While developing some of your projects, you may incur costs related to transport or accommodation. This will depend on the nature of your projects and the research you wish to carry out in order to produce them.
Materials
We provide One Drive cloud storage alongside your LIPA email account. Additional storage devices for digital work are helpful.
A SD card is essential - (eg a San Disk Ultra 32GB Class 10 card is £8)
An external hard drive is optional (eg Toshiba Canvio 1TB is £50)
We provide access to digital libraries but on occasion you may need to buy a text. You should allocate £40 for your course of study.
Cost of living
Wherever you choose to study, you'll have to budget for accommodation and other everyday living expenses, such as food and bills.
Accommodation costs are relatively low in Liverpool, particularly compared to the south east of England, and the city's shops and entertainment venues also have lots of student discounts.
We’d recommend completing a simple budget plan to predict your income and outgoings. This should include accommodation, bills, insurance, TV licence, food, laundry, clothes, books, travel and socialising. How much you'll want to spend on a lot of these is completely personal.
There is lots of advice available online about budgeting:
- UCAS budget calculator is a great tool to help you balance your in-comings and out-goings.
- SaveTheStudent provides useful information on student money resources, including loans, budgeting, and scholarship sources.
Most UK students will be able to take out a maintenance loan to assist with living costs and there are some grants available. We also offer some bursaries. To find out more, please see Student Finance and bursaries.
Because our courses are intensive and we have a busy season of student performances, options for part-time work during our teaching periods can be limited. However, many of our students gain flexible part-time work, in performance venues, shops, restaurants and bars. We also provide casual work opportunities for our students ranging from stewarding work on our productions to working with young people to help us widen access to our courses. The long summer break is when many of our students choose to work.
Additional Costs
As part of this course, there are likely to be some additional costs that are not included within your tuition fees. Many of these are optional. We’ve also included information about cost-of-living expenses in Liverpool in this section. After you accept our offer, we'll send you a list of books and equipment that we'd like you to bring. We recommend that you bring specific clothing and footwear for your practical classes. These are standard items of clothing that you will need as a working actor.
Here are the key course-related costs that we'd expect you to pay during your three years with us, in addition to your tuition fees:
Headshots and joining Spotlight
Headshots are vital marketing tools. In your final year, you need to invest in headshots to present yourself as a professional. We encourage you to undertake research into which photographer to work with. Our students typically pay around £80 to £120 for their headshots. Professionally taken headshots can cost over £300 in London. It is compulsory for you to supply a headshot so you can take part in the showcases which are an assessed part of the course.
Being a member of Spotlight is important for finding work in the UK, so you will need to join in your final year. (The Actors Spotlight Membership fee costs just over £150).
Trips and training courses
As part of the various modules on the programme, some class trips may be offered to help support your learning. Some of these will form part of the curriculum but most will be important additions to your work. Some trips may be free or subsidised but you may be required to cover some costs yourself. Please allow up to £100 for these throughout the year.
Seeing shows
You should see live performances as often as you can. This is not compulsory, but it will help your development as a creative practitioner. Trips to the theatre and live events are not covered by your tuition fees, so you'll need to cover these costs yourself. We are occasionally offered a limited number of free or discounted tickets for shows in the city. We also encourage you to see LIPA shows. We offer discounted student tickets to make this as affordable as possible.
Portfolio
At the end of Year Three you are required to create a professional standard portfolio. There are inevitably printing and binding costs associated with this task, but most people see it as an important investment for their future career. You may also want to include head shots. We encourage you to undertake research into which photographer to work with. Our students typically pay around £80 to £120 for their headshots. Professionally-taken headshots can cost over £300 in London.
Project Work
While developing some of your projects, you may incur costs related to transport or accommodation. This will depend on the nature of your projects and the research you wish to carry out in order to produce them.
Materials
We provide One Drive cloud storage alongside your LIPA email account. Additional storage devices for digital work are helpful.
A SD card is essential - (eg a San Disk Ultra 32GB Class 10 card is £8)
An external hard drive is optional (eg Toshiba Canvio 1TB is £50)
We provide access to digital libraries but on occasion you may need to buy a text. You should allocate £40 for your course of study.
Cost of living
Wherever you choose to study, you'll have to budget for accommodation and other everyday living expenses, such as food and bills.
Liverpool is one the UK's cheapest student cities. Accommodation costs are relatively low, particularly compared to the south east of England, and the city's shops and entertainment venues also have lots of student discounts.
We’d recommend completing a simple budget plan to predict your income and outgoings. This should include accommodation, bills, insurance, TV licence, food, laundry, clothes, books, travel and socialising. How much you'll want to spend on a lot of these is completely personal.
There is lots of advice available online about budgeting:
- UCAS budget calculator is a great tool to help you balance your in-comings and out-goings.
- SaveTheStudent provides useful information on student money resources, including loans, budgeting, and scholarship sources.
Most UK students will be able to take out a maintenance loan to assist with living costs and there are some grants available. We also offer some bursaries. To find out more, please see Student Finance and bursaries.
Because our courses are intensive and we have a busy season of student performances, options for part-time work during our teaching periods can be limited. However, many of our students gain flexible part-time work, in performance venues, shops, restaurants and bars. We also provide casual work opportunities for our students ranging from stewarding work on our productions to working with young people to help us widen access to our courses. The long summer break is when many of our students choose to work.
Additional International student costs
UKVI English language requirements
If you are not from a majority English speaking country (as determined by UKVI), you will be required to establish to LIPA that you meet UVKI minimum standards for English language before getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number. The CAS number we issue you allows you to begin the visa application process. There is no requirement for a student to evidence their English language qualification at the point of application, audition or interview.
Students who accept a place on Certificate of HE Foundation Acting (Musical Theatre) or Certificate of HE Foundation Acting (Stage & Screen) must sit a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). The cost of a SELT can range from approximately £180 - £250. You may also incur travel costs to your closest test centre.
Students who accept a place on an undergraduate or postgraduate course may have the opportunity to evidence their English language through a qualification from another country which meets LIPA’s assessment of its academic suitability, take a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), or completing and passing a LIPA Institutional Assessment of English. The cost of a SELT can range from approximately £180 - £250. You may also incur travel costs to your closest test centre. A LIPA Institutional Assessment of English is free of charge.
Student visa
All international students who do not hold a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passport; a Republic of Ireland passport; or EU Settled Status (EUSS), will require a Student visa to study in the UK.
The Student visa application fee in 2025 was £490. Some students will need to have their biometrics taken as part of the visa application process and this may incur additional costs, notably travel costs to your nearest Visa Application Centre.
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Once your course starts, any medical treatment you require in the UK will be free of any further charges if you use the NHS, just as it is for UK nationals. The surcharge is compulsory, even if you hold private healthcare insurance. 2025 surcharge costs were as follows:
- Foundation and Certificate of HE programmes: £776
- Undergraduate (BA) programmes: £2,716
- Postgraduate (MA) programmes: £1,164
The surcharge will give access to NHS healthcare services from your arrival in the UK until the date your visa expires.
Accommodation
Some accommodation providers may require international students to pay a larger deposit, or pay for their accommodation in fewer, larger instalments. This is something individual students will need to discuss with their accommodation provider.
View the programme specification on LIPA's course catalogue