Qualification | Degree
Course Leader | Bradley Hawkins
Validated by | University of East London (UEL)
Location | Woking
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Start Date | September 2024
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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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 East London (UEL). Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.
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.
Our course is structured to help students progress from developing their technical skills in the first year, to refining and applying those skills in rehearsals and projects in the second year, through to performing in public productions with professional directors in the third year. Along the way, students also receive input and support in rehearsals from our skilled practitioners in voice, movement, singing, and intimacy co-ordination as needed. In the third year, students have the opportunity to further develop their individual creative voice and storytelling through a Practical Dissertation, and throughout the year, they are prepared for entry into the performing arts industry through professional preparation workshops, lectures, talks, and individual tutorials. We’re committed to helping our students succeed, not just as performers, but as creative artists who bring truth and depth to their roles.
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 Film Work in Year 3.
Typical 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 Carleton Hobbs Radio Competition. Additionally, they have the opportunity to work on 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:
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.)
For further information, please see our International Applications page.
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
The BA (Hons) course offers the following funding options:
Italia Conti welcomes applications for audition fee waivers for those who are eligible.
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.”
“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!
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 to the BA (Hons) Acting course is to be made through UCAS only. Please note that our listing on UCAS is shown as University of East London (UEL) – Acting.
UCAS Institution Code | E28 UCAS Course Code | W410
Once applicants have applied for the BA (Hons) Acting course through UCAS they will receive an email from UEL containing a link to Italia Conti’s BA (Hons) application form. 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 course.
Applicants who have applied through UCAS and who have not received an email containing a link to Italia Conti’s application form should contact admissions@italiaconti.co.uk
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.
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.
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:
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………”
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”
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).
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.
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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.
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
Date | October Half-Term - Exact Dates TBC
Age | 15+
Cost | £190.80
Course Leader | Dan Fulham / Bradley Hawkins
Validated by | Pending Validation
Qualification | Certificate of Higher Education
Course Length | 1 Year, Full-Time
Course Leader | Jenny Coyle
Location | Online
Course Length | 1 Year - flexible learning
Start Date | January 2024 / September 2024