The BADC is the longest established stage combat teaching organization in the United Kingdom.  The BADC also enjoys international recognition as a provider of excellence in teaching quality, curriculum design and assessment rigour.

The BADC is dedicated to the advance of the art of stage combat in all forms of performance media.  This includes the provision of training and qualifications in all weapon and combat systems employed throughout the performing arts and entertainment industries including theatre, television, film and new media technologies.

The central principle of the Academy is to raise the standards of stage combat safety, performance and teaching within the industry.  The BADC offers training and qualifications for all those interested in working in the performing arts and entertainment industries.  These include:

• Actors in training.
• Actors who have not been formally trained.
• Actors wishing to ‘brush up’ or improve their stage combat skills.
• Re-enactors wishing to develop a safe and systematised approach to authentic historical combat.
• Amateur Actors requiring training in the safe and effective use of weapons in performance.
• Martial Artists wishing to develop their skills to work in the performance and media industries.

Teaching primarily takes place in the majority of Drama Schools in the UK where actors undertake up to two years of training to achieve the first level of qualification in stage combat.  The BADC is recognised as an Industry Lead Body in the provision of stage combat training within the performing arts and entertainment industries and the BADC Level 1 qualification is regarded as the benchmark for proficiency.

Training continues through a series of graded qualifications and higher level examinations in a range of specialised weapon systems.  Following successful completion it is possible for suitable candidates to go on to train to become a BADC Stage Combat Instructor.  The Academy also enjoys the privilege of being appointed by the Equity Council for the training of potential Fight Director candidates applying to join the Equity Register.

The qualifications awarded by The British Academy of Dramatic Combat are recognized throughout the industry in the UK and set standards of excellence that are respected internationally.