At Italia Conti, we train actors to be versatile, creative, and responsive artists. Our full-time actor training, for anyone aged 18+ (17+ from Scotland), combines intensive vocal and physical training with techniques for character creation and development, helping students build a personal toolkit that works for them.
We believe in storytelling that is truthful and purposeful, encouraging students to celebrate their individuality and embrace new techniques. Our training is designed to prepare actors for a wide range of styles and media, fostering adaptability and confidence.
Grounded in a belief in theatre’s power to inspire and educate, our course blends practical training with clear theories on performance, equipping students to make meaningful contributions to the arts and society.
See our other performance training options and specialisms:
BA (Hons) Acting & AVT
Our Acting training is a three-year, full-time course for students aged 18+ who want to work professionally across stage, screen, audio and multi-platform performance.
The programme develops core skills in acting technique, voice, actors’ movement and acting through song, alongside text analysis, scene work and contextual practice. Students progress from building their technical foundation in the first year, to applying and refining their skills in sharings and rehearsal projects in the second year, before performing in public productions with professional directors in their final year.
Specialist practitioners provide additional input in areas such as voice, movement, singing and intimacy co-ordination. In the third year, alongside productions, students also undertake a Practical Dissertation to explore their individual creative voice and storytelling. Professional preparation workshops, talks and tutorials run throughout, supporting students as they transition into the industry.
At Italia Conti we train actor-artists – performers who can shape, interpret and create work, rather than simply wait for opportunities. Our graduates are employed across live and recorded mediums, supported by Italia Conti’s deep connections with industry leaders and a long history of training actors who work at the highest level.
We are committed to helping students succeed not only as performers, but as creative artists able to bring depth and authenticity to every role.
As an Associate College of The University of Chichester, Italia Conti delivers the BA (Hons) Acting programme. This three-year, full-time vocational course is for anyone aged 18+. The course is organised into modules with various modes of assessment.
Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students. Students on the degree course are eligible to enrol on Italia Conti’s Advanced Vocational Training (AVT) alongside their degree course.
The first year of the course provides a solid foundation in acting principles. Students are introduced to core principles of Stanislavski’s system, as interpreted by various 20th-century and contemporary practitioners such as Uta Hagen, Michael Chekhov, Meisner, and Max Stafford-Clarke, alongside non-traditional processes including Viola Spolin, Sharrell D. Luckett, and Tia M. Shaffer through improvisation and text work, students develop the skills and knowledge needed to create convincing characters. The course progresses to include increasingly complex texts and genres, and each term features a group project integrating acting, voice, movement, and singing. Analytical and reflective skills are emphasised through contextual practice, where students evaluate their own and others’ work. Students develop their Camera Technique in Year 1 which provides the foundation for the scene work they do on Camera in Year 2, and their Screen Work in Year 3.
Typical texts/projects in this year include:
Building on the fundamentals established in the first year, students in Year 2 are introduced to non-naturalistic texts and advanced naturalistic texts. They develop practical skills in stage combat (with the option to take a paid BASSC exam), character voice/accent, and acting through song. Students also work on weekly Camera (TV & Film) and Audio (Radio Drama, Voice Over) sessions to continue developing their recorded media skills. In the final term, students work on two separate plays, with a focus on ensemble and stylised performance. They may also participate in a tour to a Fringe venue (optional).
The focus of the final year is to prepare students for the professional world and enhance their employability. Students in Year 3 participate in professional productions and work with industry directors, as well as receive professional preparation and career development opportunities such as mock auditions, agent interviews, workshops, seminars, and entry into the BBC Carleton Hobbs Radio Competition*. Additionally, they have the opportunity to work on a filmed monologues and a film project*, which provides valuable experience and high-quality material for their showreels. The degree requires the completion of a practical dissertation, promoting independent and professional working practices.
Professional preparation and career development opportunities in this year may include:
Degree Tuition Fees | £9535 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments). Student finance is available, which includes access to a Tuition Fee Loan and Student Maintenance Loan. These payments are made to directly to the University of Chichester. Advanced Vocational Training Diploma | £2800 + VAT, (paid in advanced termly instalments). These private fees are payable directly to Italia Conti. Scholarships and Bursaries | Available for our AVT fees. Scholarships are awarded upon outcome of audition. You may apply for a bursary here by contact admissions@italiaconti.co.uk
Audition Fee | £45 (non-refundable) Deposit | £275 (The deposit is refundable within 14 calendar days of the payment being received by Italia Conti but will not be refunded thereafter for non-enrolment. It will be held by Italia Conti and will be refundable on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)
For further information, please see our International Applications page.
Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
HE & AVT Terms & Conditions
“I have just graduated from Liverpool Theatre School with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. I wanted to do the BA Hons (Top Up) in Professional Arts Practice course to further develop my skills for the industry. It is the perfect balance between academic writing and creativity. I already have seen improvements, both in my academic and performing work, and I now really value the ability to critically reflect on past experiences in order to improve my current skills.”
“I have found that my first term at Italia Conti has been better than I could’ve imagined. I am working with driven, passionate, likeminded people within all different realms of the performing arts industry. I find that the course is very tailored to each individual and the content is broad enough to apply to everyone but specific enough to challenge each person within their abilities. I find the course to be a place where I can collaborate and interact with people who I’d never had met otherwise. I only look forward to what the next few months of the course bring and feel more motivated than ever.”
Current Student, Class of July 2024“The course is allowing me to reflect on my past practice, current position, and future endeavours. I really enjoy how flexible the course is, with regards to being able to tailor my studies to my own practice, enabling me to maximise the benefits of this on my future career. I expect my professional development to be impacted exponentially and I am excited to continue!”
“Italia Conti’s BA Top up course was the one for me! Creating a business in under 9 months has been a massive accomplishment! The course really helps shape your future, enables you to meet professional contacts to support your research, and gives you lots of time to understand the area of the industry you want to specialise in.”
I’m a professional dancer but have taught only ballet. These classes are EXACTLY what I was looking for to show some basics of contemp for my students !! Absolutely love every single Video
I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I love every single one that she teaches. THANK YOU. Gorgeous movement.
Amazing class, one of the best I’ve ever done. So easy to follow, thank you!
I’m a dancer in LA and can’t keep up with my peers on how often they take dance classes. This channel has been so helpful for me to keep up my training. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I feel like we are all dancing together even though we are all doing this at different times and in different spaces. 🖤
Best ballet teacher on the internet❤ Great explanation, enthusiasm and commentary throughout the exercise!
Evidence in hard copy of all the above must be provided at enrolment.
Applications to Italia Conti are made by direct application via the link below only.
Applicants DO NOT need to complete a UCAS application for Italia Conti.
Applicants must complete the application form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered.
Audition fees are non-refundable. These fees act as both an administration fee for processing your application as well as a non-refundable deposit for a place on an audition day.
Applicants are encouraged to express on the form interest in any other courses/streams they would like to be considered for e.g. Three Year Acting (Musical Theatre), in addition to the course directly being applied for.
All applicants are considered for the One Year Foundation Courses, by standard.
You will also be asked to indicate if you are opting out of the Additional Vocational Training (AVT) diploma, which is offered to applicants to enhance their vocational training.
In line with our admissions policy, Italia Conti reserves the right to alter or withdraw offers at any point. Places on our courses are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first serve basis and so early acceptance is advised.
After completing the application process, you will be invited to submit an audition tape where auditionees will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Successful applicants will be invited to a recall audition on site. Information about auditions can be found below.
If there’s something that might shape your experience with us – such as access requirements, a disability, being neurodivergent, something related to a protected characteristic, or anything else you’d like to share – please let us know. This kind of information isn’t always obvious from an application.
You can contact:
We’re here to listen and discuss what support or reasonable adjustments could help you feel confident and supported throughout the process.
Applicants will be requested to submit a self-tape with the following:
Speech guidance:
In a minority of instances, the panel may require a further tape or live-online audition responding to direction
Each of these elements will be explained in more detail within the audition pack that is sent to auditionees with the audition submission date.
The self-tape should be compiled into one video and then submitted – help and advice on this can be found in the ‘How to Submit Your Self-Tape’ section of the audition pack.
We require applicants to perform a Shakespeare speech from the below list and audition pack (of any gender), please note that we annually review these.
Measure for Measure – Act 2, Scene 4 – Isabella “To whom should I complain?… And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.”
Macbeth – Act 3 Scene 1 – Macbeth “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus……Who’s there!”
Romeo & Juliet – Act 2 Scene 5 – Juliet “The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse………”
Romeo & Juliet – Act 3 Scene 3 – Romeo “Tis torture and not mercy………”
Othello – Act 4 Scene 3 – Emilia “But I do think it is their husbands’ faults…..”
Othello – Act 1 Scene 3 – Iago “I hate the moor……”
Midsummer Night’s Dream – Act 3 Scene 2 – Helena ”Lo she is one of this confederacy …….”
Merchant of Venice – Act 3 Scene 2 – Portia “You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand…….”
King John – Act 4 Scene 1 – Arthur “Have you the heart? When your head did but ache………”
Hamlet – Act 3 Scene 4 – Hamlet ”Look here upon this picture ….. would step from this to this?”
Julius Caesar – Act 2 Scene 1 – Portia “Is Brutus sick? and is it physical…….. who did hide their faces Even from darkness ”
Henry VI – Act 1 Scene 4 – Queen Margaret “Brave warriors…….. may sing and dance”
King Lear – Act 1 Scene 2 – Edmund “Thou, nature art my goddess………”
King Lear – Act 1 Scene 3 – Goneril “By day and night he wrongs me………Prepare for dinner”
King Lear – Act 2 Scene 3 – Edgar “I heard myself proclaim’d………”
Much Ado About Nothing – Act 2 Scene 3 – Benedick [Prose] “This can be no trick: the conference was sadly borne… I do spy some marks of love in her”
Successful first round applicants will be offered a recall audition which may be either online or in-person depending on the requirements of the recall.
Recall auditions may include:
Applicants are encouraged to use the same speeches as their first-round digital audition, but are welcome to prepare additional speeches which can be offered to the panel (although they may not hear these).
By applying for the BA (Hons) Acting Course or CertHE Intro to Acting Course you are automatically considered for both acting courses. If you wish to be considered for the BA (Hons) Acting (Musical Theatre) in addition to the BA (Hons) Acting and CertHE Acting courses, please include the ‘Singing’ audition within your audition-tape.
Italia Conti Acting graduates thrive across Stage, Screen, and Audio, both nationally and internationally. They have appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, HBO, Disney, and Sky, as well as in West End, Broadway, and regional theatre productions. Their voices feature on audiobooks, adverts, video games, and on Audible, and BBC Radio 4 – where Italia Conti grads have won the BBC’s Carleton Hobbs competition a number of times.
Many alumni have expanded into roles behind the scenes, working as directors, writers, producers, and more on prestigious film, TV, and theatre projects. Others have transitioned their skills into casting, teaching, production, or arts administration, with some pursuing advanced academic study or contributing research to shape the future of the arts.
Since 1911, our graduates populate the performance industries and include many famous faces. Recent graduates can be seen working on prestigious productions in all areas of the industry.
Title | Audition Ready
Pathways | Acting, Dance or Musical Theatre
Date | 29 & 30 October 2025
Time | 9am - 5pm
Age | 15+
Cost | £200
Qualification | Degree
Course Leader | Jenny Coyle
Validated by | University of Chichester
Location | Online
Course Length | 1 Year - flexible learning
Start Date | January 2026 | September 2026