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The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a world-leading conservatoire, offering exceptional vocational training to actors, stage managers, technicians, directors and designers, regardless of their background or economic circumstances for over 160 years.

LAMDA believes drama has the power to transform lives. They want more people to share in this experience through training, qualifications, work, productions and facilities.

More Information on LAMDA Direct Enroll

More information about LAMDA's study abroad program can be found here: Study Abroad at LAMDA

Academic Calendar

You can study abroad at LAMDA for one 14-week semester or a shorter summer program:

  • Autumn semester: early September - mid-December 
  • Spring semester: early January - mid-April
  • Summer programs: dates vary, between June and August

See more details and exact dates here (scroll down to click on each semester or summer program).

You must meet the admissions standards outlined by LAMDA (click on each program to see requirements). 

To be approved by MIT to study abroad, applicants should be:

  • In good academic standing
  • In good judicial standing

For Academic Year, Spring, or Fall terms applicants should ensure they are:

  • Up to date with the Communication Requirement
  • Up to date with HASS courses

Contact MISTI if you have questions about your particular situation.

Two-part application process:

  1. Apply directly to LAMDA by the stated deadline for the program/term you wish to study abroad. 
  2. Apply here for MISTI approval to study abroad. Apply before the LAMDA deadline for the term in which you plan to study abroad.

Study Options

At LAMDA, you apply to a specific 'course' for the semester or the summer, and participate in all of the prescribed classes, rehearsals, and workshops within that course. For example, the Autumn 2025 course is Classical Acting, within which students engage with a variety of texts throughout the semester, including Jacobean texts, Shakespeare’s late plays and comedies, as well as Post-War British classic texts, structured around the three core areas of voice, movement and acting.

See the program options here (scroll down).

Students take part in at least 30 hours practical work a week. This will be spent in both class and rehearsal. Classes typically take place Monday - Friday, from 9am - 6pm. There may also be sessions on Saturdays, as well as a series of evening masterclasses with special guests.
 

Transfer Credit

Information on the transfer credit process at MIT can be found here.

Your course work will be assessed using UK higher education marking criteria and you will be provided with official transcripts of the course. Additional information about grading and assessments can be found in the Course Handbook, the Academic Regulations and the Credit Framework. The team in Student & Academic Services can help you convert marks into US credits and GPA or ECTS credits if you wish.

Students will pay tuition and living costs to LAMDA. More information can be found in the 'Fees, Terms & Conditions' section of each program's page.

Financial aid for year or semester programs:

Aid is portable. A few months before departure, SFS and MISTI will share with the students and the most up-to-date budget for the participation on the program based on an agreement with the host institution. Admitted students who receive financial aid should make an appointment with the financial aid representative to whom they are assigned to discuss the particulars; they should bring the budget received from MISTI to that meeting.

An external student housing provider is available in London for those booked on the Semester Programme as LAMDA does not have its own on-campus accommodation.

Rooms are on a first-come, first served basis and you must be over 18. Please contact shortcourses [at] lamda.ac.uk (shortcourses[at]lamda[dot]ac[dot]uk) for further information once you have a confirmed place on the course.

UK Visa

More information about the visa requirements can be found here: UK Visa Information

UK ETA

Starting January 8th 2025, US passport holders (and many other nations) will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation in order to enter the UK. It typically takes 3 business days to process (but be prepared in advance, because it occasionally takes longer).

Do not simply google “UK ETA” and click on the first sponsored link, as this will take you to third party services which will charge you an exorbitant and unnecessary fee to process. Rather, please visit this UK government website, download the UK ETA app on your smartphone, and follow the instructions. The cost is $13/£10.

Once approved, you will get an email confirming you have got an ETA. It will be linked to the passport you applied with. Your ETA lasts for 2 years. You can enter the UK as many times as you want during that time, up to 6 months stay.

Meet Your Program Manager

Stephen Barnes Headshot

Get in touch with Stephen Barnes, Program Manager for MIT-UK, to get your questions answered.