Acting Diploma Course (In-Person)

With optional ATCL - HND EQUIVALENT UNIT

Looking to become a Professional Actor or get into a BA/MA Acting Course? Have you recently left school or reached a point in your life where it’s time to pursue your dreams? 

If so, then our Acting Diploma In-Person Course is for you. It can be completed in just one year and it is part-time meaning you can fit it around your current study, work or life commitments.

Watch a collection of video testimonials from our students who have already completed their course with us…

Acting Out is an Award-Winning Drama School. We will train you in Acting and prepare you for the start of the professional world or further professional education. In this Acting Diploma Course, there is an optional Trinity College London ATCL qualification.

This Equity Vetted Course, is recognised by casting agents and professionals in the industry. All our UK based students, have the option of an Equity Membership on graduating.

With a small class of around only 14 students, you will train part time in acting with leading acting coaches & directors with a mixture of weekly residential days, online modules through a professional portal system and home study.

Gain experience and build your networking skills while working towards an optional ATCL Foundation Degree (England) & equivalent to HND qualification units in Scotland. Specifically it’s a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) which compares to the first year of a bachelor's degree, Level 4 qualification.

Gain knowledge, experience and practice while working towards an optional ATCL Acting Diploma (Foundation Degree, England & equivalent to HND qualifications in Scotland) if you choose to sit the exam.*

During the year you will meet during regular weekly evening sessions to cover the main skills of Acting and Performing, as well as auditioning skills so you are ready to audition for roles or for drama school.

You’ll learn and practice theories from the pioneers of the acting world such as Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov, Meisner, Uta Hagen, and more. Exact content may vary each year depending on the expertise of our professional artists, coaches and directors.

You will delve deeply into characterisation, relationships, actions and narrative.

You will also have online sessions and modules and work to complete and pass at home.

As this course has been vetted and approved by Equity, you’ll also be able to apply for your student membership while studying with us, as well as your professional membership on graduating.

*This is on the basis you pay the additional exam fee of around £300.00 and pass your exam.

You will be guided throughout the year by expert acting coaches, award-winning artists, directors and practitioners who really care about your acting and your future career or study ambitions.

After your course is completed, you may also have the opportunity to progress up to our Professional Acting Course, where you will gain your Spotlight Membership, Showreel, Performance, Professional Headshots and be industry ready.

You will also have direct contact with all your coaches and directors throughout the 12 month period.

This is an Equity Vetted Course and is recognised by casting agents and professionals in the industry. You will also be apart of a small class of around only 14 students.

 Here’s Exactly What You’ll Get:

✅ You’ll work with an Award-Winning, Industry recognised and Casting Agent Endorsed Drama School

✅ You’ll have the option to sit the ATCL Performing Qualification in Speech & Drama (a Foundation Degree in England, equivalent to an SQA HND unit) *

✅ You’ll be part of a Certified Course with Acting Out Drama School and Education Scotland with digital certificate **

✅  You’ll explore and cover a whole range of acting theories, practitioners and subjects so when you leave, you’ll have a sound knowledge and skill of acting. You’ll get the exact curriculum once enrolled, as we change it each year to keep up with industry demands. An example of what you might cover is Sanford Meisner, Constantin Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov, Screen Acting, Contemporary Drama and William Shakespeare.

✅ You’ll cover audition training so you’ll feel ready to audition for the Professional Acting Course or BA/MA Acting Degrees once you’ve graduated.

✅  You’ll get weekly residential evening during term time where you’ll practice your knowledge and develop your skills under the guidance of your professional coaches and guest experts.

✅ You’ll also complete online modules.

✅ You’ll meet the team from Equity and learn about professional contracts.

✅ You’ll be able to get your optional Equity Membership as your course has been vetted and approved by Equity ***

✅  You’ll get an optional NUS Student Card ***

✅ You’ll learn and practice with expert, professional performers, directors and coaches

✅ You’ll get the skill, the guidance, the courage and the confidence to start acting or go on to further education

*This is on the basis you pay the additional exam fee of around £300.00 and pass your exam. ** This is on the basis that you pass all your end-of-module assignments *** NUS Cards and Equity Memberships are Payable to these organisations directly.

LOCATION

During your Acting Diploma, your face-to-face lessons will take place at Murrayfield United Church, near to shops, cafes, train stations and buses. Other venues may also be used and will be given once enrolled.

Your evening residential sessions will run from approx 8pm to 10pm on Wednesdays in 9 week blocks.

You are also expected to do around 2 hours private study a week (this is an average over the whole year and some weeks there will be more or less expected).

Your private study times may involve online modules, preparation for your face to face sessions, follow up assignments and various other opportunities that may be offered throughout the course.

You must pass your assignments to complete the course.

 You are also encouraged and able to enrol onto our vocational performing courses, such our Intermediate Acting Course and Advanced Acting Course where you will be apart of a performance in a professional theatre (agents are invited). 

QUALIFICATION

Your optional practical exam is an ATCL Performing Qualification in Speech & Drama (a Foundation Degree in England, equivalent to an SQA HND unit). You will be assessed, graded and awarded your qualification and certificate by Trinity College London. Your examination is likely to be digital. You will be fully supported with an online module dedicated to exam preparation. All information will be given to you in your Exam Preparation Module. Please remember the exam is optional, and if you choose to do it there is an additional exam fee of around £300.00.

DATES

Your official starting date begins as soon as you enrol where you will be given access to your online portal and the first module which gets you started. You will have online modules to complete and home study as well as these essential residential dates below.

Term 1:

Wednesday 10th September 2025 - Wednesday 5th November 2025

Term 2:

Wednesday 14th January 2026- Wednesday 11th March 2026

Term 3:

Wednesday 18th March 2026 - Wednesday 13th May 2026

Term 4:

No Set Dates. Completion of Online Modules. Working towards and around Drama School/other Auditions. Equity Meeting likely to take place online towards the end of May 2026. For those who choose to sit the optional qualification, preparation and exams will take place in June 2026.

FEES

Acting Out is an Award-Winning Private Drama School, accredited by Trinity College London and offering students professional and vocational courses in acting.

The Acting Diploma Course is also Equity Vetted and recognised by leading casting agents and directors. The fees includes the standard college tuition fee, professional expertise, small class sizes of around 14 students, central facilities and professional online portals.

The full fee for the 1 Year Acting Diploma Course is £1495.00*

On acceptance of a place, full payment can be made, or your choice of a suitable instalment plan.

*This fee does not include the exam (which is optional) and around £300. Exam preparation via an online module is included in this fee. Completing this diploma does not automatically qualify you for AODS’ Professional Acing Course. For last minute applications full payment may be due before the start of the course.  

AUDITIONS

Once you have applied you will receive an automatic email detailing all your audition information. Our main auditioning methods are online self-tapes.

For the auditions, you are required to perform (from memory and in character) one monologue, lasting no more than 2 minutes, either classical (preferably by Shakespeare and in verse) OR a contemporary. We require you to film your monologue and answer questions to the camera that are sent beforehand via email. 

We will be looking for clear evidence of the abilities required for the course, evidence of practical and intellectual skills necessary for the nature of this course, and personal qualities that would contribute to the class and the school. More details will be given after we receive your application.

Decisions for audition outcomes are normally made at the end of each month.

There is a small fee of £10 which covers your application and audition.

*** Applications open***

FQA

Is there funding for this course?

Most students pay for the course themselves as the cost is very small compared to higher educational qualifications. In the past, students who don't have the full payment upfront have paid for courses in instalments or made the most of student banking services such as the free student overdrafts or soft student loans (including career development loans). You can also contact your Local Education Authority or Charitable Trusts who help finance Performing Art Students. Check out your local library for more information. 

Will the SAAS pay for my fee?

Again, most students pay for the course themselves as the tuition fee is low. To build your connections to London (the place to be for actors and directors) Acting Out have chosen to work with Trinity College London for your certified qualification. Therefore as your qualification is an English qualification, the SAAS may not cover your tuition fee. You may still be entitled to a student loan. Check the question above about how students have paid in the past.  

I may need special assistance, is that possible?

Yes. Your coaches will be on hand to assist you if you need extra time, additional help, or more guidance. For the exam, as long as you can prove in writing that you are entitled to extra time, you should be able to secure it.

Exactly how is the course structured?

The course is made up of specific learning outcomes over a period of 12 months (during term time). You have all the face-to-face sessions/ days mentioned above, as well as online tutorials, modules, possible workshops and performances to attend.

You’ll have 4 Terms, each focusing on your core acting training with intensive evening sessions in acting, voice, movement, auditioning and more. You’ll study and practice both remotely and in-person with expert coaches, using techniques and methodologies from the likes of Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Meisner. You’ll also learn the basics of Screen Acting and Self-Tapes.

There are assignments and pieces of homework to submit as well as many more to practice and explore in your own time. You must pass all the assignments to complete the course. Full details on all your learning outcomes and assignments will be given prior to starting your course.

There are additional benefits we include such as an Equity Membership and connecting to an award-winning school.

What if I miss a session?

If you miss sessions due to illness or a prior commitment, we do everything we can to ensure you don’t fall behind. There is lots of contact between students and coaches. It’s normal for coaches to send a breakdown of what was covered after each session as well as help students with assignments if they need it. So missing one or two sessions due to sickness is okay, as long as you can put the work back into your course in your own time. 

Do I get an Equity Membership on completion of this Course?

Yes, this course has been vetted and approved by Equity. All students who pass the course not only meet Equity and gain a huge amount of knowledge about the professional industry and how to start your professional journey, but will also be offered full Equity Membership. Please note, in the last few years, Equity have conducted their sessions online.

How do I get my Spotlight Membership?

To automatically qualify for your Spotlight Membership, you will need to be in training for 2 years with us through our Professional Acting Course. In some cases, it is possible to join the Professional Acting Course in Year 2. But only if you can demonstrate a sound knowledge of acting and talent already in your Acting Diploma Course.

Do I need a Visa?

If you are not from the UK, you don’t need a visa to enrol onto any of our courses (providing you are legally allowed to stay in the UK or are traveling in and out of the UK for your residential day each month). We have lots of foreign students and you would be very welcome to join us.

Will this course allow me entry onto the second year of an acting degree?

It all depends on how strong your application is when you graduate. Students have been very successful previously when wanting to gain further education or professional work. The course is a great place to start your education and your professional journey. This is a diploma course (which is the English equivalent of a foundation degree) not the first year at university (as it would need to be full time). Even so, many of our students are offered places on the second year of acting degree courses, and above. Around 70% of our students who apply for BA Acting Course are offered places and around 50% MA places (Year 5, thus skipping 3-4 academic years). Overall, anything is possible and the harder you work within this course, the better your chances of academic success in the future.

Will this course guarantee me an agent?

Again, previous students have been very successful when gaining an agent after the course. It all depends on how strong you are and what agents are looking for when you leave the course.

How do I apply?

Just click below. There is a small application and audition fee of £10.