A Diploma in Acting is an undergraduate diploma programme, the duration of which may vary from two to three years depending on the institute. The course is a branch of Arts stream that focuses on improving professional acting skills thereby offering various technical aspects relevant to fine acting or on-screen performance. There are around 9 private colleges which offer a Diploma in Acting Course.
Students must complete a minimum of 10+2 with any subject combination to get enrollment in this diploma course. The Diploma in Acting admission process may also vary depending on the colleges. Some institutes conduct their entrance examinations followed by a group discussion and personal interview rounds while others provide admissions on a merit basis.
After finishing a Diploma in Acting course students may find numerous opportunities to work in films, t.v. serials, theatre plays, and television commercials. The average salary range is between Rs. 4 Lakhs and Rs. 7 Lakhs per annum. Some top-level recruiters hiring are Cineyug Talent Management, Balaji Telefilms, and Yashraj Films.
Particulars | Values |
Degree Name | Diploma in Acting |
Degree Type | Diploma Undergraduate |
Degree Duration | 2-3 years |
Entrance Examinations | - |
Eligibility Criteria | Completion of 10+2 with a minimum of 50 per cent of marks |
Admission process | Entrance Examination/Merit |
Fees for the entire duration | Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 4 Lakhs |
Average Salary | Rs. 4 Lakhs to Rs. 7 Lakhs |
Job Profiles | Actor, Acting Consultant, Screenwriter, Producer, Theatre Writer |
Top Recruiters | Balaji Telefilms, Yashraj Films |
The eligibility criteria for enrollment in a diploma in acting course varies from college to college. Some colleges may prescribe entrance examinations while some institutes may ask based on merit secured in class 12.
The admission process varies from college to college, and institution to institution. Individuals are required to prove their capabilities to enroll in a Diploma in Acting programme. Some institutes only prefer merit scored in the 10+2 examination whereas some other institutes might ask the candidates to attend a relevant entrance examination.
Several acting or film institutes offer admissions in Diploma in Acting courses to students on a 10+2 merit basis and their performance in the interview. Several other film institutes conduct written interviews, group discussions, and personal interviews to select candidates to provide enrollment to the course.
The cut-off is the set eligibility criteria for the selection of candidates to provide admissions in the specific course. A cut-off list is released every year by most colleges which describes the minimum required percentage in 10+2 to get enrollment in the respective college.
Similarly, the cut-off is released for colleges conducting entrance examinations to offer admissions, then the maximum rank or minimum rank is announced, and students who fall under this rank or acquire scores are eligible for admissions.
Individuals willing to acquire skill sets to upgrade their knowledge and enhance their learning experience. Some of the basic but crucial skills listed below for a Diploma in Acting are:
The academic curriculum varies from institute to institute. We have provided below the syllabus of the advanced Diploma in Acting course offered at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai.
First Semester | Second Semester |
Film Analysis for Actors – A | Spoken Hindi Prose – A |
Allied Arts of Filmmaking | Culture Studies I |
Spoken Hindi – A | Acting Practical II – A |
Basics of Filmmaking | Acting Theory II – A |
Acting Practical I – A | - |
Acting Theory I – A | - |
Third Semester | Fourth Semester |
Culture Studies II | Acting Practical IV – A |
Acting Practical III – A | Acting Theory IV – A |
Acting Theory III – A | - |
The Diploma in Acting fees varies from institute to institute. The average fee ranges from Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 4 Lakhs per annum. The fee mainly differs on the type of institution and facilities offered to students which is decided by the college authorities.
Students interested in performing arts, theatre, or drama may get enrolled in a diploma in acting course. The entertainment industry is highly competitive and candidates with professional qualifications are preferred over laymen, therefore, a diploma programme in acting adds to the candidates’ profile.
After completion of the programme, candidates may find numerous opportunities to work in theatres, television, films, and radio stations as well. Individuals willing to opt for further education may opt for a postgraduate diploma in the same. Those who are willing to opt for an academic career as a professor or a teacher are required to further opt for a bachelor’s degree in performance arts or film acting.
After completion of a bachelor’s degree, they may opt for a master’s degree in the same and then pursue a PhD or MPhil in the performance arts.
There are numerous options for graduates with a diploma in acting. We have provided below some of the major career options that aspirants may opt for and enter the world of work.
Actor - An actor is responsible for communicating a character in the screenplay for a theatre play through body expressions and movements. He or she puts life into the soul of the character's role so that people get connected and feel if it is real along with the situations around which the role has been woven.
Film Director - A film director’s role can be defined as a visual scriptwriter. He or she is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of each component of the movie. He or she directs how the scene unfolds and props should be used and the appearance of the character on screen. He or she decides who will play which role.
Film Producer - A film producer is responsible for supervision of all the aspects of making a film. He or she works closely with film directors, actors, and creative personnel and contributes his or her vision to the same. A film producer’s major responsibility is managing the finances involved in the production of the film, including payment of the staff involved in it, arrangement of equipment, and other resources.
Screenwriter - A screenwriter is a visual scriptwriter responsible for writing screenplays. He or she may write feature films, short films, television commercials, and other genres relevant to screen visuals. He or she used his or her creativity in writing the storyline of the script including dialogues and characters.
A Diploma in Acting polishes the hidden talent of students and provides training to them to deliver various emotions through facial expressions and body language on screen and on stage.
Students enrolled in the course also learn dancing including speech, gestures, and numerous other expressions to make the character feel real to the audience. Their communication skills improve over time with the professional training. It boosts their level of confidence and provides them with knowledge of technical aspects involved in the field of acting or the entertainment industry.
The salary offered to graduates with a diploma in acting varies depending on their skills and knowledge. The role offered to them also affects their salary. Concerning the profession of acting, film actors are paid much more than television actors. Similarly, television actors are paid much higher than that of theatre actors.
Experience | Salary |
Actor | Rs. 7.50 Lakhs |
Screenwriter | Rs. 50 Lakhs |
Film Director | Rs. 20 Lakhs |
Source: Ambition Box
Numerous colleges in India offer admissions in a Diploma Acting course. We have provided below a list of top diploma in acting colleges in India. The academic curriculum or training offered in these colleges may vary from each other.
There are both government as well as private Diploma in Acting colleges in India. We have provided below a list of top private colleges that offer a diploma in acting. The admission process, academic curriculum, and diploma acting course fee structure of these colleges may vary.
Colleges | Fee |
Rs. 12,000 | |
- | |
- | |
- | |
Whistling Woods International, Mumbai | - |
New Delhi YMCA Institute for Media Studies and Information Technology, New Delhi | - |
Center for Research in Art of Film and Television, New Delhi | - |
Ramoji Academy of Film and Television, Hyderabad | - |
The Diploma in Acting course offers various opportunities to learn acting as a profession along with industry-leading certification.
Candidates must complete a 10+2 in any subjects from a recognised board to enroll in diploma in acting course.
The average fee for a diploma in acting ranges Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 400,000.
The average diploma in acting salary package ranges from Rs. 4 Lakhs to Rs. 8 Lakhs per annum.
After successful completion of a diploma in acting course, individuals may find numerous opportunities in production houses or theatre plays. They are required to polish their skills and show up during auditions for a movie, t.v. serial or drama. They can also start off as an intern and work in a production house to learn more finely the other technical aspects involved in delivering characters on screen.
The top recruiters for diploma in acting are Balaji Telefilms, Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions, and UTV Motion Pictures Ltd., Bhansali Productions, and Rajshri Productions.
Application Date:15 October,2024 - 15 January,2025
Application Date:11 November,2024 - 08 April,2025