Qualification | Certificate of Higher Education
Course Leader | Bradley Hawkins
Validated by | University of East London (UEL)
Location | Woking
Course Length | 1 Year, Full-Time
Start Date | September 2024
The Certificate of Higher Education, Introduction to Acting, at Italia Conti will give you a taste of the rigorous training required to become a professional actor.
Students will learn from experienced faculty in a professional and disciplined environment at a leading drama conservatoire. Individual sessions on interview technique and monologue preparation will increase students’ chances of success in future auditions. The course emphasises the importance of respect, generosity, and shared passion in the rehearsal room and encourages independent, self-reliant working. Italia Conti aims to create a secure and nurturing environment that allows students to be creatively fearless. A range of workshops will cover additional actor skills as well as introduce students to other areas of the performing arts that might also be considered as a potential career prospect. Students on the CertHE Intro to Acting course will learn to evaluate their work, the work of others’ and express their ideas with clarity and confidence.
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Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Introduction to Acting, at Italia Conti, is a one-year, full time foundation in actor training for anyone aged 18+ who wishes to develop their existing skills in Acting, with the view to moving onto a full-time, three-year actor training programme at Drama School or University level. The course is validated by University of East London (UEL). Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.
The Certificate of Higher Education Introduction to Acting at Italia Conti offers a comprehensive foundation in the key principles of successful training and performance.
Students learn the fundamentals of Stanislavski’s system, which focuses on creating and communicating believable characters, situations, and relationships through work on text and improvisation. They also receive training in vocal and physical technique through voice and movement classes, as well as audition practice to help them select and prepare appropriate monologues and songs for future auditions. In addition, a series of workshops, tasters help students develop their understanding of the contemporary performance industry.
During the second term, students build upon their skills from the first term, starting with an intensive period of audition preparation and practice. They refine and polish their speeches for drama school auditions and participate in mock auditions with an industry expert to improve their technique. They also take part in interview skills and professional preparation workshops to develop their personal and promotional skills. The remainder of the term is focused on continued skills classes and rehearsing a Scene Study which is performed at the end of the term. A series of short workshops covering a range of approaches, such as Meisner Technique, Acting for Camera, Stage Combat, and Clowning, are also included in the curriculum.
The third term offers intensive projects focused on specific performance practices, including Acting for Camera, and a larger theatre project which consolidates skills learnt across the year into a production for family and friends. More advanced voice and movement classes support this project, helping students to work more expressively and with flexibility. These projects provide students with a solid base of knowledge and skills that will be useful in any future career in the profession.
All students on the CertHE course will also have the opportunity to audition for the BA (Hons) Acting course for the following year. However, it should be noted that attendance on the CertHE course does not guarantee a place on the BA (Hons) course.
Tuition Fees | £9250 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments) EU Student Fees | £11880 per academic year International Student Fees | £15000 per academic year (approximately) 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.
It’s fantastic. Showcases, shows, summer shows, carol concerts. It’s very full on but I don’t wake up regretting coming here. It is the best thing ever!
“The college provides you with a disciplined, yet family atmosphere that trains you to become the best of the best moving forwards into the performing arts industry.”
“Italia Conti has helped me in terms of my acting development, but also as a person and how I engage and view the world, which aids me as an actor.”
“The building and staff inside welcome you with open arms, guide you through your training and proudly push you, prepped with the best tools for the job.”
“Italia Conti allowed me to do my favorite thing, every day in a safe space amongst talented, supportive people. Being taught by skillful tutors was invaluable. The small classes ensured my voice was always heard and helped me hone my skills.”
“My training at Italia Conti has challenged, fulfilled, and broadened me as an actor and as a person. The buffet of techniques on offer will allow me to meet all challenges in any avenue.”
“The influx of inspiring people flowing through the building creates an atmosphere for greatness and I am honoured to be a part of that.”
“I couldn’t have asked for a more understanding place to spend these crucial moments. The door is always open for us to come back ‘home’ for advice, or even for a cup of tea!”
“Having the most supportive faculty (many of which are working professionals), who are always pushing you to be the best version of yourself has made my transition into the industry a seamless one.”
After completing the application process you will be invited to attend one of our audition days where you will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Information about auditions can be found below. At the audition, applicants for the CertHE Introduction to Acting course are automatically considered for the BA (Hons) Acting course and vice versa.
Application to the Cert HE Introduction to 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 | W411
Once applicants have applied for the CertHE Introduction to Acting course through UCAS by the 26th January they will receive an email from UEL containing a link to Italia Conti’s CertHE 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 should have completed Italia Conti’s application form and paid the audition fee by the 1st February in the year of application in order to be considered for audition.
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 before the 1st February in the year of application.
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 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:
Auditionees should wear comfortable fitted rehearsal wear that best represents the individual and/or helps with 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.
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 W411 CertHE Introduction to Acting Course or W410 BA (Hons) Acting Course you are automatically considered for both acting courses.
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Graduates of Italia Conti’s CertHE Introduction to Acting course either continue their actor training at Italia Conti or other established drama schools, change performance course and pursue Musical Theatre or Dance, or move into other creative fields such as Writing, Directing, Producing, and production roles. Some graduates pursue more formal academic routes within their chosen disciplines, and some graduates change course completely and take up other subjects and pursuits, but still continue to utilise the transferable skills gained on this course.
With over 107 years of Italia Conti history, 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.
Qualification | Degree
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time