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 London is the course for you.
overview
Why Choose this course?
In the Part-Time Drama School in London, 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 a West End showcase where we will support you in seeking to gain agent representation.
We also have an annual industry gala at Collective 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.
Upon completing two years of training in our Part-Time School, you will be eligible to apply for Spotlight membership.
I don’t think theres been a moment I have not used something from my classes with Collective during my career – whether that’s from the way I prepare for castings, for rehearsal or for a take on screen/stage. I use techniques from my training in every aspect of my professional life.
Segun Fawole – Screen Actor – Grime Kids, Sandman, Eastenders
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 Project
- Full-Length Public Play Project
- Screen Acting 4
- Screenwriting
- Industry Preparation
- Television Pilot
- Audition Technique
- WEST END SHOWCASE
- INDUSTRY GALA
£875*
*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 (£315 per instalment, for three instalments)
Note: the above fees are for the non-accredited Part-Time Drama School. See below for the course fees for the CertHE pathway.
taught by industry professionals
west-end agents’ showcase
make an original short film
self-tapes & audition technique
perform in public full-length theatre production
screen acting focus
CertHE Acting (funded pathway for the Part-Time School)
accessing funding
Self-funding your place in the Part-Time School can be a challenge. At Collective we never want people to miss out for financial reasons.
Applicants to the Part-Time School can now access our part-time evening training by completing a CertHE Acting which means you can qualify for financial support.
student finance
If you choose the CertHE pathway, and are an eligible U.K. student, you will be able to access Student Finance to pay your fees.
Eligible students will also be able to apply for a means-tested maintenance loan.
gain a qualification
Selecting the CertHE route means you graduate with a Higher Education qualification, allowing you to progress into other Higher Education courses should you wish, including direct entry into Year 2 of our BA Acting.
This qualification is validated by our partner Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
choosing your pathway
All successful applicants may choose to select the self-funded non-accredited pathway, or the CertHE.
CertHE students train alongside the rest of the Part-Time School. They work on the same classes and projects. The CertHE covers Years 1 and 2 of the curriculum.
Note: you cannot be offered advanced standing to the 2nd Year of the Part-Time School if you choose the CertHE pathway.
What is the difference?
The main difference with the CertHE is that it is a fixed length. On this course you will train for 2 years in total, studying 3 terms per year.
Unlike the non-accredited pathway, you will need to meet a minimum attendance requirement of 90% on the CertHE pathway to continue to qualify for funding.
You will also be required to undertake assessments as part of your course.
The CertHE pathway is available at our London campus only.
CertHE Course Fees
£3,250
The fees outlined above are the cost per year for your course for all U.K. students. You will need to pay the fee each academic year. Government regulation affects tuition fees – so the fees listed for courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year are subject to change.
Fees are slightly higher than on the non-accredited route, due to the additional support and time your receive for your assessments.
You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependents.
Collective Acting Studio is registered with the Office for Students (OfS) as a Provider of Higher Education in England, meaning you can apply to access student finance if your application is successful.
Sadly, we are currently unable to accept applications from international students.
For more information, or if you feel you need additional support, please get in touch with our admissions department.
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
