Acting courses, pursued at different levels of education, are made for candidates who are looking to pick up on acting tricks and skills. Anyone who is looking to make a career in Films, Theatres, Television, or as professors and teachers will benefit from these courses. The aim of acting courses is to provide students with the skills and essential tips and tricks to work in the entertainment industry.
One can choose to pursue certificate, diploma and regular degree programmes in Acting. Some of the top institutes like Jamia Millia Islamia, Amity University, Pondicherry University etc offer various acting courses such as Diploma in Acting, Diploma in Theatre Arts Acting, BA Acting, BPA Theatre etc.
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Check: Diploma in Acting
All About Acting Courses
- The duration of certificate courses is a few hours to 6 months. While diploma courses are of 1 year and 2 years.
- Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate courses are of 3 years, 2 years and 3 years duration respectively.
- Auditions are held for the admission process along with entrance examinations and personal interviews in some universities.
- Online educational portals like Udemy, Skillshare also provide online Acting Courses
- The average course fees ranges from INR 10,000 - 50,000
- Upon completing graduation, candidates can get hired as Film Actor, Theatre Actor, Theatre Writer, Event Manager, Acting Consultant, Teacher etc.
- The average salary after acting courses in India can be anywhere from INR 2-12 LPA.
Types of Acting Courses
As already discussed above, Acting can be pursued in various courses such as Certificate Courses, Diploma Courses, Undergraduate Courses, Postgraduate Courses and Doctorate Courses. Below mentioned sections will discuss each of these courses in detail for your reference,
Certificate Acting Courses
Certificate courses are short term, intensive programmes in a specialization of choice. They can be pursued in online and offline modes. They are self-paced programmes that make it perfect for working individuals. Individuals looking to pick up extra skills in their free time, as a part of a hobby or career, can choose certificate Acting Courses.
- The duration of certificate courses ranges from a few hours to 6 months.
- Multiple batches for the programme are held throughout the year.
- They are self-paced and often free of cost with a minimal fee charged for a certificate of completion.
The average starting salary an acting certificate holder can earn is INR 3,00,000 to 5,00,000.
Online Acting Certificates
There are a number of online certificates for Acting skills. The best online acting certification courses are as follows.
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directing the Actor: A USC course with Nina Foch | Udemy | 3 hours 58 mins | INR 1,600 |
| Physical Theatre: Meyerhold and Biomechanics | University of Leeds, FutureLearn | 3 weeks | Free |
| Professional 10 Hour Acting MASTERCLASS | Udemy | 10 hours 13 mins | INR 8,640 |
| Acting Techniques Masterclass - Learn 9 Different Techniques From 9 Master Teachers | Skillshare | 40 mins | NA |
| Acting 101 for Adults | Udemy | 6 hours 52 mins | INR 1,600 |
Offline Acting Certificates
Offline mode certificate courses are taught on-campus through classroom teaching. In offline mode, only Andhra University offers a Certificate course in Acting in India.
| Course Name | Name of the College | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Course in Acting | Andhra University | INR 63,522 | 3 months |
Admission Process for Certificate Acting Courses
Admissions to certificate Acting courses are done on a merit basis. There is no strict and rigid admissions pattern like for bachelors, masters and doctorate level programmes.
- Eligibility criteria for certificate courses are class 10th or 12th pass out.
- Some providers will judge all applicants before granting a seat in the course.
- The application is done by applying through the online platform’s website.
Colleges for Offline Acting Certificates
NIRF prepares annual rankings lists for different categories. Andhra University offering certificate acting course, secured the following rank in NIRF’s university list.
| Name of the College | Location | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra University | Visakhapatnam | INR 63,522 |
Diploma and PG Diploma Acting Courses
Diploma and PG diploma courses are perfect for candidates who do not have the time to pursue a full-time degree programme before applying for a job. They are short duration courses and can be pursued in different specializations. Some diploma and PG diploma courses are part-time and can be pursued by employed individuals too.
- The duration of diploma courses is 2 years while the PG diploma course is for 1 year.
- Admissions are done on a merit basis only and auditions might be held by some universities.
- These courses are flexible in terms of specializations one can choose from.
The average starting salary one can earn with a diploma or a PG diploma in Acting degree is between INR 4,00,000 to 7,00,000.
Top Diploma Acting Courses
Currently, only Andhra University offers diploma courses in Acting.
| Course Name | Name of the College | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Theatre Arts Acting | Andhra University | INR 10,000 | 2 years |
Top PG Diploma Acting Courses
PG Diploma courses are meant for bachelor's degree holders. The top PG diploma courses in Acting in India are as follows.
| Course Name | Name of the Colleges | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG Diploma in Acting | Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 60,010 | 1 year |
| PG Diploma in Acting | Amity University Noida | INR 85,000 | 1 year |
| PG Diploma in Theatre Arts | Pondicherry University | INR 17,970 | 2 years |
Admission Process for Diploma Acting Courses
Admissions to diploma and PG diploma programmes are done on a merit basis only. Universities might hold auditions for admissions. There is no requirement to submit entrance examination scores.
- Candidates are admitted on the basis of their standard 12th aggregate scores.
- Diploma programmes require their applicants to be class 12th pass out
- PG diploma programmes candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in the same field or a certificate in Acting.
Colleges for Diploma and PG Diploma Acting Course
NIRF releases rankings lists for the best universities in India. Andhra University secured the following rank in NIRF’s University rankings.
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | INR 60,010 |
| 19 | Andhra University | Visakhapatnam | INR 10,000 |
| 37 | Amity University Noida | Noida | INR 85,000 |
| 58 | Pondicherry University | Puducherry | INR 17,970 |
Undergraduate Acting Courses
Bachelor's degree programmes in Acting are pursued after completing class 12th examinations. At the bachelor’s degree level, Acting is a specialization honors programme or an elective to other programmes. One can earn a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Performing Arts or a Bachelor of Vocation degree for Acting.
- The duration of a bachelor’s degree is 3 years to 4 years for a BPA Theatre degree.
- Admissions are done primarily on a merit basis. Auditions are also held for admissions.
- Bachelor's degree programmes are rigorous full-time programmes that are perfect for candidates before delving into the job market or higher education.
The average starting salary one can earn with a bachelor’s degree is INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.
Top Undergraduate Acting Courses
A number of universities in India offer bachelor's degree programmes in Acting. The top bachelor's degree programmes for Acting are as follows.
| Course Name | Name of the College | Average Salary | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA Acting | Amity University Noida | INR 1,70,000 | 3 years |
| BPA Theatre | Lovely Professional University, Calicut University | INR 76,000 | 4 years |
| BA Multimedia | Mahatma Gandhi University | INR 19,720 | 3 years |
| BA Drama | Gujarat University, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | INR 2,540 | 3 years |
| BVoc Theatre and Stage Craft | Guru Nanak Dev University | NA | 3 years |
Admission in Bachelor Acting Courses
Admissions to most universities mentioned above are done on merit basis. There are some universities that do admit students through entrance examinations. Auditions are also held in some universities to judge the skill level of applicants.
- Candidates are judged on their standard 12th aggregate scores.
- The duration of a bachelor's degree is either 3 years or 4 years.
- A round of auditions is held for admissions by some universities.
Bachelor Acting Courses Entrance Examination
As mentioned above, entrance examinations are held for admissions. The top entrance examinations asked for admissions in India are as follows.
| Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| LPU Entrance Test | Click Here | Lovely Professional University |
Colleges for Bachelor Acting Course
All universities that offer a bachelor's degree in Acting have the following NIRF University rankings.
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | INR 19,720 |
| 37 | Amity University Noida | Noida | INR 1,70,000 |
| 44 | Gujarat University | Ahmedabad | INR 2,540 |
| 51 | Guru Nanak Dev University | Amritsar | NA |
| 54 | Calicut University | Malappuram | NA |
| 69 | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | Aurangabad | INR 1,050 |
| 78 | Lovely Professional University | Phagwara | INR 76,000 |
Postgraduate Acting Courses
At the masters level, Acting is offered as a specialization course or an elective to a standard master's degree programme. The degrees one can earn are Master of Arts or Master of Performing Arts.
- The duration of a master's programme is 2 years.
- Admissions are through entrance examinations and audition rounds in some universities.
- If one is looking to delve into research programmes, masters programmes in any field are a perfect starting choice.
The average starting salary for a candidate with a master's degree in Acting is INR 2,00,000 to 20,00,000.
Top Postgraduate (PG) Acting Courses
There are a number of master's acting programmes in India. The top master's programmes that offer acting as a specialization or as an elective, in India, are as follows.
| Course Name | Name of the Colleges | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Arts and Aesthetics | Jawaharlal Nehru University | INR 1,260 | 2 years |
| MPA Theatre Arts | University of Hyderabad, Calicut University, Pondicherry University, Bangalore University | INR 11,090 - 23,781 | 2 years |
| MA Theatrical Arts and Aesthetics | Kerala University | INR 2,683 | 2 years |
| MA Indian Theatre | Panjab University | INR 12,500 | 2 years |
| MA Theatre Arts | Osmania University | INR 3,540 | 2 years |
| MA Dramatics | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | INR 1,227 | 2 years |
Admission Process for Postgraduate Acting Courses
Admissions are done to Master’s Acting courses through entrance examinations. Upon qualifying for the entrance examination, candidates are invited for further admissions rounds. Some universities, however, do conduct merit based admissions.
- The duration of the master’s programmes is 2 years.
- Some of the universities that conduct entrance examinations are Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Hyderabad, Panjab University etc.
- Candidates are also required to attend a round of auditions to test their skills, in some universities.
Postgraduate Acting Courses Entrance Exams
There are a number of national and state-level entrance examinations asked for admissions to Masters Acting courses. The top entrance examinations are as follows.
| Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| JNU Entrance Exam | To be Announced | Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| PG CET | To be Announced | Karnataka Examination Authority |
| University of Hyderabad Exam | To be Announced | University of Hyderabad |
| PU CET | To be Announced | Panjab University |
Colleges for Postgraduate Acting Course
NIRF's annual category wise ranking list is released annually on behalf of the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. All universities mentioned above have the following NIRF University rankings.
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi | INR 1,260 |
| 6 | University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | INR 11,090 |
| 23 | Kerala University | Thiruvananthapuram | INR 2,683 |
| 26 | Panjab University | Chandigarh | INR 12,500 |
| 29 | Osmania University | Hyderabad | INR 3,540 |
| 54 | Calicut University | Malappuram | INR 2,694 |
| 58 | Pondicherry University | Puducherry | INR 23,781 |
| 68 | Bangalore University | Bengaluru | INR 9,520 |
| 69 | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | Aurangabad | INR 1,227 |
PhD Acting Courses
Doctorate courses are the highest level of degree one can earn in India. At the doctorate level, candidates can pursue either a Ph.D. or an M.Phil degree in different acting specializations. Candidates choose a research topic and conduct research on it throughout the programme duration under a mentor.
- The duration of Ph.D. programmes varies anywhere between 3 years to 5 years.
- Admissions to Ph.D. and M.Phil programmes are through entrance examinations and a round of personal interviews.
- Upon completion of the programme, candidates go on to work as professors or teachers.
The average starting salary for a doctorate degree in Theatre Arts holders will earn INR 4,00,000 to 10,00,000.
Top PhD Acting Courses
Doctorate programmes are available in Theatre Arts and Indian Theatre currently in India. The top doctorate courses in Theatre Arts and Acting in India are as follows.
| Course Name | Name of the Colleges | Average Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Theatre Arts | University of Hyderabad, Pondicherry University | INR 8,980-23,301 | 3 years |
| PhD Indian Theatre | Panjab University | INR 15,667 | 3 years |
| MPhil Theatre Arts | Osmania University | NA | 3 years |
Admission Process in PhD Acting Courses
Admissions to Ph.D. and M.Phil programmes are done through entrance examinations only. Some universities may hold a round of auditions before admitting the candidates. Entrance examination scores are not asked from candidates who have relevant work experience in the chosen field of research.
- After qualifying for the entrance exam round, a round of personal interviews is held.
- Candidates are required to submit their research proposals.
- Some of the popularly accepted entrance exam scores are of Panjab University, Pondicherry University, and the University of Hyderabad.
PhD Acting Courses Entrance Examinations
The entrance examinations are asked as a qualifying round for admissions to doctorate courses. The top entrance examinations are as follows.
| Entrance Exams | Exam Date | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| University of Hyderabad | To be Announced | University of Hyderabad |
| Pondicherry University | To be Announced | Pondicherry University |
| Panjab University | To be Announced | Panjab University |
Colleges for PhD Acting Courses
All the universities providing doctorate courses mentioned above secured the following ranks in NIRF’s university rankings.
| NIRF Rankings | Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | INR 8,980 |
| 26 | Panjab University | Chandigarh | INR 15,667 |
| 29 | Osmania University | Hyderabad | NA |
| 58 | Pondicherry University | Puducherry | INR 23,301 |
Skills Required to Pursue Acting Courses
In order to be successful in the acting industry, individuals need to possess or pick up on specific skills. These skills will be helpful during a job search. Tabulated below are few of the most basic skills that one should possess
| Good stage, screen and vocal presence | Ability to enter another character and engage audience | Ability to memorize lines |
| Understanding of dramatic techniques | Having confidence, energy and dedication to perform | Creative Insight |
Scope for Acting Courses
Among the various job profiles open to an acting course graduate, the most popular choice is an actor. However, there are other job profiles too that can be looked into. The top acting job profiles have been described below.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | Film actors are what most acting aspirants want to end up as in their careers. Film actors work in short films, indie films and full feature films. To get hired as a film actor requires work in theatres and other smaller platforms. | 10 LPA - 6 Crore |
| Producer | Producers are responsible for the money for a film or television production. They hire people, manage writers, directors, actors and make sure the business is running smoothly. | 10 - 30 LPA |
| Script Writer | Playwrights work on their own or under a company to write and create screenplays of various topics. They are then further sent to production houses to be made into plays and films. | 5 - 20 LPA |
| Acting Consultant | Acting consultants are hired to work with projects and help hire the right talent for the film or play. They go through the play and then make suggestions for what kind of actor or actress would fit into it. | 2 - 6 LPA |
| Teachers | Another career choice that is popular among experienced individuals is that of a teacher. Acting teachers teach the art and tricks of acting to budding artists. They can teach for an institute or independently. | 3 - 5 LPA |
Acting Courses: FAQs
Ques. Can I learn Acting courses Online?
Ans. Yes. There are online certificate and diploma courses one can enrol in that are delivered completely online.
Ques. Which is the Acting Free Online Course in India?
Ans. There are multiple online course providers in India. There are multiple providers with free courses too. Some of the top providers are as follows.
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Udemy
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Coursera
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Upgrad
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FutureLearn
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edX
Ques. What is the duration of an Acting Course?
Ans. The duration of Acting certificates is between a few hours to 6 months. Diploma and PG diploma courses are for 1 year and 2 years. While bachelor's and master's courses are for 3 years and 2 years respectively.
Ques. How much does it cost to do an Acting course?
Ans. Fees for acting courses are different, depending on the level of course chosen. The highest course fee charges are for bachelor's course at INR 1,70,000
Ques. Should I go for an Acting weekend course or MBA or should I look for a job in Acting and learn from the experience?
Ans. In Acting, both experience and the right degrees will help in the job search. Having an Acting degree or certificate from a renowned institute will help in standing out during auditions.
Ques. Is it worth pursuing an Acting course?
Ans. If one has the passion and determination to succeed in the field, pursuing an Acting course is worth it.
Ques. What is the average salary after completing an acting course?
Ans. The average salary one can earn from an Acting course will depend on the competition, skills and experience of candidates among other factors. The highest average starting salary is for film Actors at INR 10,00,000.
Ques. Do I get a scholarship to pursue Acting certifications?
Ans. Yes. Some websites and universities do have financial aid available for students who require it.
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