apply now for SEPTEMBER 2026
Do you want flexible training that fits around your day job and/or your professional work as an actor? If so, our Part-Time School in Birmingham is the course for you.
overview
Why Choose this course?
In the Part-Time Drama School in Birmingham, you work with some of the most inspiring and renowned acting teachers and industry professionals in the U.K.
You train two evenings a week – and sign up a term at a time – offering you the flexibility you need. The course runs over three terms a year. Each term is 12 weeks long. You do 6 hours of classes per week.
If you book a job as an actor whilst training – if it is more than two weeks long – we refund you for the classes you miss.
During your time in the Part-Time School you will:
- Make a short film
- Perform in a full-length public theatre production
- Take part in a West End Agents Showcase
- Make a television pilot
when will i graduate?
You would be invited to stay in the Part-Time School for a maximum of three years – by which point we would consider your training complete.
However, we recognise that, depending on your level of prior experience, you may feel able to graduate sooner than that.
how do you work with industry?
Out Part-Time Drama School is open to the industry – you will regularly share your work with external agents, casting directors and other industry professionals.
In April of each year of the training there is showcase in London’s West End where we will support you in seeking to gain agent representation.
We also have an annual industry gala in Birmingham in July where you will be part of a festival of performances, allowing a second major opportunity to share your work with industry.
You will not be invited to participate in the showcase until Year 2, though all students participate in the annual gala.
advanced entry
Most students join the Part-Time School in Year 1, though a small number of students with significant training and/or prior professional experience may be granted direct entry into Year 2 or Year 3.
Please indicate when you apply if you would like to be considered for Advanced Entry.
where will it be based ?
The Part-Time Drama School will be based at Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH
Upon completing two years of training in our Part-Time School, you will be eligible to apply for Spotlight membership.
The Part-Time course at Collective has truly been an invaluable experience for me. The team always have your best interests at heart and are incredibly generous with their time and energy – they will do everything they can to ensure you have the best opportunity to succeed. Make sure you’ve got a notepad and pen because there will be a whole lot you’ll want to write down!
Tayler Marshall – Screen Actor – My Family, Casualty, Hollyoaks
Course Overview
The Part-Time School offers a comprehensive professional actor-training – delivered in a flexible way – ensuring you develop the skills needed for a sustainable career, whilst still allowing you to work professionally as an actor when you book work.
There is a strong focus on screen acting, but you also get the opportunity to perform in full-length theatre projects and create your own work for film and television.
Despite its flexibility, the term-by-term training model has a clear developmental structure to aid your growth as an actor. Each module builds on the next, so each term you can expand the skills you learnt previously and explore new approaches and techniques you’ve not covered before.
Year 1
In the first year, the curriculum will help you develop your acting techniques for Realism.
- Actor’s Toolkit
- Movement
- Screen Acting 1
- Voice
- Contemporary Scene Study
- Accents
- Screen Acting 2
- Creative Ensemble
- Contemporary Play Project
- Self-Tapes
- INDUSTRY GALA
YEAR 2
During the second year you will undertake more stylised and genre-based forms of acting.
- American Play Project
- American Accents
- Screen Acting 3
- Making Your Own Work for Theatre (Solo Story)
- Short Film Project
- Comedy
- Industry Preparation
- WEST END SHOWCASE
- INDUSTRY GALA
YEAR 3
The final year will focus on public performance and preparation for the industry.
- Shakespeare Play Project
- Full-Length Public Play Project
- Screen Acting 4
- Screenwriting
- Industry Preparation
- Television Pilot
- Audition Technique
- WEST END SHOWCASE
- INDUSTRY GALA
course fees £650*
*per term
Unlike with a drama school degree, you pay term-by-term to join our Part-Time Course. So you can come train with us without needing to commit to full-time academic study.
There is an option to pay in instalments.
meet the staff
paul harvard | programme leadER
anthony vander | head of film and television
Aly Spiro | senior acting tutor and programme
Prashant Tailor | head of participation
gail sixsmith | head of creative practice
niall walker | head of voice and MOVEMENT
Darragh Hand | industry teacher and programme
Alexander Igbanoi | Screen Acting Teacher
corry raymond | director of photography
