What is LAMDA?

LAMDA is an acronym for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. LAMDA is a world-renowned drama school in London which also offer exams for young people in Performance and Communication.

If your child is interested in performance, developing communication skills or literacy, or simply building up self-confidence, LAMDA Exams can develop life-long skills and a wonderful sense of achievement.

Over a hundred thousand people take LAMDA Exams every year. They come from all over the world, from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities. LAMDA exams are open to everyone and there are no access requirements.

Children want to be heard and LAMDA offers the experience and confidence to help this happen.

What are the benefits of LAMDA?

First and foremost – CONFIDENCE! It really is the primary reason we recommend LAMDA to so many families.

The process of preparing for and taking LAMDA exams helps to empower the child and offers them a unique opportunity to really feel like they have achieved something special. Added to this the development of communication and presentation skills and you have something that truly be an exciting and positive experience for your child.

For our younger students

For our younger students working towards Introductory grades offers the child the opportunity to develop literacy, a love for the spoken word and that extra confidence boost to really help them in those early years at school and out in the world.

For secondary school students

For secondary school students LAMDA continues to support confidence building, for some at a complicated and challenging stage in their young lives, while complimenting their studies in particular in English Language and Literature, extending beyond into their broader education as well as encouraging those valuable life skills in communication, teamwork and creativity.

For further education students

For the older students working towards the upper grades and ultimately Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals in their chosen subject, LAMDA grades offer an opportunity to enhance and add to their UCAS points helping towards university applications.

From September 2017 LAMDA’s Level 3 recognised qualifications will be included in the new UCAS Tariff offering a fantastic opportunity for older children aiming to go into higher education.

LAMDA has been recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations in England, and the corresponding regulatory authorities in Wales (DfES) and Northern Ireland (CCEA).

LAMDA and UCAS Points

GRADE SIX

BRONZE MEDAL

8 – 12 UCAS POINTS

GRADE SEVEN

SILVER MEDAL

12 – 16 UCAS POINTS

GRADE EIGHT

GOLD MEDAL

24 – 30 UCAS POINTS

The table above demonstrates the opportunities for students to gain UCAS points through taking LAMDA exams at Medal level, regardless of whether or not they are studying drama as part of their main education. Learners taking Grade 6 can earn a potential 12 UCAS points and a total potential of 30 UCAS points at Grade 8, almost the equivalent of an A Level. This is a huge incentive for many of our Learners heading for Higher Education or drama school. LAMDA qualifications may not be relevant for every Further Education course but including these skills in any personal statements, Learners can ensure that these skills are fully valued.

All Learners should check the course entry requirements carefully to see which qualifications are, and are not, accepted.

For illustration, some examples of the equivalent qualiﬁcations:

For those moving into the workplace after college, LAMDA qualification are a brilliant addition to a CV, demonstrating strong communication skills, confidence and leadership abilities in all fields. LAMDA is an internationally recognised qualification and achievement. There is no doubt that LAMDA offers all Learners confidence in life, whatever path it might take.

You may wish to read the results of a recent report by the Centre for Education and Youth (CfEY), using survey data and case studies to analyse the benefit of LAMDA Exams within state schools, and its broader impact on student outcomes, mental health, wellbeing and school advancement. This report was published on 29 April 2024. https://www.lamda.ac.uk/news/impact-evaluation-of-lamda-exams-in-schools

LAMDA Entry Level

Entry Level Functional Skills

LAMDA Level 1

NVQ Level 1, BTEC Level 1

LAMDA Level 2

GCSE, Higher Diploma

LAMDA Level 3

AS & A Level, BTEC National

What LAMDA subjects are on offer?

Three basic exams exploring poetry and conversation skills designed to introduce the exams structure. These exams are aimed at our younger actors just starting out, recommended minimum age is 6. The children choose, learn and rehearse a poem which is performed for the examiner followed by a short conversation about the poem and the item they have brought with them to share and discuss with the examiner.* Communication Examinations
Develop a clear speaking voice, good body language and self-confidence by exploring spoken English.
Develop a clear speaking voice, good body language and self-confidence by exploring spoken English through Verse and Prose or Speaking in Public.
These examinations build communication and life skills while also helping to develop team-working abilities. Options are Acting, Musical Theatre or Shakespeare (Shakespeare grades are subject to an age minimum – please get in touch for more information)