Acting

BA (Hons) Acting

Qualification | Degree

Course Leader | Bradley Hawkins

Validated by | University of Chichester

Location | Woking

Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time

Start Date | September 2025

Course Overview

At Italia Conti, we believe in providing a well-rounded training that helps students develop their skills as actors. Much of our course is devoted to vocal and physical training, as well as exploring a range of techniques for creating and developing character. Our focus is on helping students work responsively within the space.

The contemporary actor is not just a performer, but a creative artist who uses their inner resources to bring truthful stories to life. As part of the BA (Hons) Acting course, we encourage students to be truthful to the purpose of the work, to celebrate and utilise themselves as individuals in the work, and to continue learning and experimenting with new techniques and creative ideas through the work. We offer a wide range of ideas and training methods, so that each student can construct a personal “tool box” of techniques that work best for them. Our goal is to produce versatile performers who can thrive across a variety of styles and media.

We believe in the power of theatre to inspire and educate, and our Acting courses reflect that belief through clear theories about training and performance, as well as a commitment to upholding the role of theatre in society.

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Course Summary

BA (Hons) Acting, at Italia Conti, is a three-year, full-time vocational course, for anyone aged 18+ wishing to become a professional actor working across Stage, Screen, and Audio in live and recorded contexts.
The course is validated by University of Chichester. Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.

Course Structure

At Italia Conti, we believe that the best way to measure an actor’s skills is through performance, which is why we’ve designed our BA (Hons) Acting course to be modular and performance-based.

 

Fees & funding

UK Tuition fees | £9250 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments)
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 the School and will be refundable on completion of the course, without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)

International Students

For further information, please see our International Applications​ page.

Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.

Funding

The BA (Hons) course offers the following funding options:

  • Private Funding
  • Student Finance

Audition Fee Waiver

Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.

Deposit Fee Waiver

Italia Conti welcomes applications for deposit fee waivers for those who are eligible.

 

  • “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.”

    - Sarah Collinge – Musical Theatre Performer Current Student, Class of July 2024
  • “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.”

    - Kate Drummond – Actor Current Student, Class of July 2024
  • 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!”

    - Amy-Jo Sumner – Musical Theatre Performer
  • “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.”

    - Rachel Ward – Performing Arts Tutor Graduate, BA Top up Class of Sept 2022
  • 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

    - @ginamusaelyan2307 – Italia Conti Virtual
  • I’ve watched a lot of your videos and I love every single one that she teaches. THANK YOU. Gorgeous movement.

    - @debbied3464 – Italia Conti Virtual
  • Amazing class, one of the best I’ve ever done. So easy to follow, thank you!

    - @yellowbeachgirl – Italia Conti Virtual
  • 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. 🖤

    - @SarahPaceSings – Italia Conti Virtual
  • Best ballet teacher on the internet Great explanation, enthusiasm and commentary throughout the exercise!

    - @annajones6805 – Italia Conti Virtual

Entry requirements

Entry to BA (Hons) Acting requires the following:

  • 18+ by the 31st August in the year of entry
  • Level 2 English and Maths at GCSE Grade 4 or above or recognised equivalent qualifications.
  • 64 UCAS points or admission through recognition of non standard entry qualifications/experience:
    • A level: CC
    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MPP
    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: MM
    • Access to HE Diploma: M = 15 credits, P = 30 credits
  • IELTS Level 6
  • Legal right to reside/study in the UK for the full period of the programme.
  • Successful audition through Italia Conti, details of which can be found below.
  • Evidence in hard copy of all the above must be provided at enrolment.

Audition requirements

After completing the application process you will be invited to submit an audition tape where you will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Successful applicants will be invited to a recall audition on site where you will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Information about auditions can be found below. At the audition, applicants for the BA (Hons) Acting course are automatically considered for the CertHE Introduction to Acting course and vice versa. 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.

Application

Application to the BA (Hons) Acting course is to be made through both UCAS and direct application via the link below. Applicants must complete this form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered for the course. Applicants cannot apply through UCAS alone for this programme. 

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. 

Direct Application Form (italiaconti-apply.co.uk)

Direct application is now open. Please note that our listing on UCAS is shown as a University of Chichester course.

UCAS Institution Code | C58
UCAS Course Code | ICW4

Applicants who have applied through UCAS and who have not completed Italia Conti direct application form should click the Application form link above or contact admissions@italiaconti.co.uk for support. 

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.  

Audition Criteria

FIRST ROUND – ONLINE AUDITION

ACTING AUDITION, including monologues, a creative task, voice exercises, singing and a brief chat to camera answering some questions.

Applicants will be requested to submit a self-tape with the following:

  • Identification – name, UCAS number and programme you are applying for
  • Speech 1 – Shakespeare Speech from the list on the website and audition pack
  • Speech 2 – Contemporary Speech – A piece from a modern play (we define this as 1970-present day), of your choice but no more than 1min 30sec long.
  • Object Story – Redefine and everyday object and tell us all about it.
  • Voice Exercises – exercises as per the audition pack
  • Singing Audition (Only if wishing to be considered for the BA (Hons) Acting (Musical Theatre) in addition to the BA (Hons) Acting and CertHE Acting courses)‘– ‘Song 1 – One Golden Age Lyrical Song (pre-1965); Song 2 – One Traditional or Contemporary Musical Theatre Song (post-1965)
  • ‘About You’ – Brief chat to camera answering the questions in the audition pack

Speech guidance:

  • Ensure speech is from published plays. They should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts.
  • Please choose characters close to your own age.
  • Please perform your speeches in your native accent.
  • Auditionees should wear comfortable fitted rehearsal wear that best represents you and/or helps with your characterisation.

 

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.

SHAKESPEARE AUDITION PIECES

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………”

Othello – Act 4 Scene 3 – Emilia
“But I do think it is their husbands’ faults…..”

Othello – Act 1 Scene 3 – Iago
“Thus do I ever make my fool……”

Othello – Act 3 Scene 3 – Othello
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,…….”

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………”

Julius Caesar – Act 2 Scene 1 – Portia
“Is Brutus sick? and is it physical…….. who did hide their faces Even from darkness ”

Henry IV Part 1 – Act 1 Scene 2 – Prince Hal
“I know you all, and will awhile uphold……”

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”


RECALL AUDITION

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:

  • duologue/partner work
  • speeches/redirection
  • improvisation, movement, voice and singing workshops
  • an interview

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).

Recalls may fall after the institution’s deadline for updating applicants’ status on UCAS, which may result in being ’rejected by default’ on the UCAS system. Please note that application will still remain live on Italia Conti’s system until the applicant’s audition/recall is complete and UCAS will be updated accordingly.

By applying for the W410 BA (Hons) Acting Course or W411 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.

Career Prospects

Industry links

Graduates of Italia Conti’s BA (Hons) Acting course populate the performing arts industry nationally and internationally where they work on Stage, Screen, and in Audio.

Our actors can be seen on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, HBO, Disney, Sky, and on numerous product commercials. On stage, our graduates have been on tour, in established regional venues, and in West End and Broadway productions. They can also be heard on BBC Radio 4, Audiable, and many audio books and video games. Behind the scenes, our graduates have worked on some of the most prestigious film, television, and theatre projects as directors, producers, writers, and more.

The emphasis we place on the ‘artist-actor’ throughout our training, means that graduates of the course have previously transitioned their skills to working as Writers, Directors, Producers, Casting Directors, Agents, Actor-trainers, Teachers, as well as taking up roles in production, or arts administration.

Previous graduates of the course have also pursued further study taking up places on MA/MFA courses, with some graduates continuing their academic career through to PHD and producing research and literature to help develop the future of the arts.

Alumnx & graduate success

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.

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