BA Acting Admission 2025, Exams, Colleges, Syllabus, and Scope

• Updated on  Aug 05, 2025, by Akangsha Das

BA Acting is typically a 3-year degree for undergraduates that deals with the study of various aspects of acting and drama. The eligibility criteria for the course are that the students have passed class 12 or any other equivalent qualifying exam in any stream with a minimum 50% aggregate marks from any recognized board. Some of the best BA in Acting colleges in India are CPIFT, Gandhinagar, SIFT, Rohtak, etc.

 

Most colleges give admission on merit, while some colleges, such as FTII, Pune, conduct entrance exams. The BA in Acting fees range between INR 12,000 - 200000. The job profiles after completion of the course are Film and TV Actor, Theatre Artist, Voice-over Artist, etc. The average annual salaries for freshers range between INR 5 - 12 LPA (depending on skills and expertise).

 

Table of Contents

  1. BA in Acting Course Highlights
  2. What is BA in Acting?
  3. Why choose BA in Acting?
  4. Who Should Pursue BA in Acting?
  5. BA Acting Entrance Examination
  6. BA in Acting Colleges in India
  7. BA Acting Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process
  8. BA in Acting Syllabus
  9. BA in Acting Job Profiles
  10. BA in Acting Future Scope
  11. BA in Acting Vs BFA
  12. BA in Acting Frequently Asked Questions

 

BA in Acting Course Highlights

Students need to know about some important highlights of the BA Acting course. Given below are some of the basic Bachelor of Arts in Acting course:

Feature

Details

Course Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting

Course Duration

3 years

Eligibility

Passed Class 12 (any stream) with a minimum of 50% aggregate from a recognized board

Admission Process

Mostly merit-based; some colleges conduct entrance exams (e.g., FTII, Pune)

Top Colleges

CPIFT (Gandhinagar), SIFT (Rohtak), FTII (Pune), Whistling Woods (Mumbai)

Course Fees

INR 1,00,000 - 200000

Career Options

Film & TV Actor, Theatre Artist, Voice-over Artist, Radio Jockey, Ad Actor

Average Salary (Freshers)

INR 5 - 12 LPA (depending on skills & expertise)

 

What is BA in Acting?

BA Acting is a three-year undergraduate degree course learning about different aspects of acting, drama, and performance. The Bachelor of Arts in Acting course teaches the techniques of acting, voice modulation, movement, stagecraft, and character development. It equips the students with everything required for a career in Film, Television, Theatre, and Digital Media through theoretical concepts and practical knowledge through workshops, rehearsals, and live performances.

 

Why choose BA in Acting?

The interested students can find many reasons to choose a Bachelor of Acting course. Here are some of them:

  • This course is perfect for those who love acting and telling stories.
  • It opens the gates to cinema, TV, theatre, voice-over, and other fields.
  • BA Hons Acting improves acting skill, line delivery, expression, and improvisation.
  • The students get practical experience through stage plays, workshops, and internships.
  • There are many emerging opportunities in OTT platforms, web content, and web series.
  • Good actors and performers can secure handsome salaries depending on experience and demand.

 

Who Should Pursue BA in Acting?

A BA in Acting is a specialized undergraduate program. It is for students who wish to enhance their performance and dramatic arts skills. These are the kinds of students who should enroll for a BA in Acting:

  • Individuals who truly adore performing, acting, and being on stage before others are ideal for this program. Enthusiasm for the art form is a must.
  • While there is some innate talent in acting, formal education is imperative for professional success. Students who desire disciplined lessons in acting, voice, and movement will gain advantage.
  • The skill of acting needs creativity and expression of emotions and characters. Those students who like experimenting with various roles and communicating stories can pursue this course.
  • The course of acting involves constant practice, rehearsals, and perseverance. Students need to be ready to invest a lot of time and effort into developing their skills.
  • Acting is frequently an ensemble art. Those students who enjoy working with people, including other actors, directors, and crew, will enjoy this program.

 

BA Acting Entrance Examination

Some colleges, such as NIFT and the School of Fashion Technology, conduct entrance exams for admission into Bachelor of Arts in Acting. Given below is a list of entrance exams for admission to BA Acting degree:

Exam Name

Application Date (General)

Exam Date

Application Fee (General)

Whistling Woods International (WWI)

May 2026

May 2026

INR 3500

National School of Drama (NSD) Entrance Exam

April 2026

May 2026

Gen - INR 250SC/ST - INR 50OBC-NCL/EWS - INR 150.

GMCET (Gujarat Music and Cultural Entrance Test)

May 2026

May 2026

INR 350

CUET

March 2026

May 2026

Gen - INR 1000SC/ST - INR 800

 

BA in Acting Colleges in India

Many colleges in India offer a Bachelor of Arts Acting course. Given below is a list of colleges that offer a BA Hons Acting, along with their location and course fees:

College Name

Location

Fees Per Annum (INR)

Whistling Woods International (WWI)

Mumbai, Maharashtra

INR 2,83,000

Amity University

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

INR 1,60,000

ITM University

Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

INR 1,10,000

SGT University

Gurgaon, Haryana

INR 1,62,500

City Pulse Institute of Film and Television (CPIFT)

Gandhinagar, Gujarat

INR 2,25,000

State Institute of Film and Television (SIFT)

Rohtak, Haryana

INR 1,00,000

Renaissance University

Indore, Madhya Pradesh

INR 1,10,000

 

BA Acting Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process

The students must have completed class 12 or any other equivalent qualifying exam from a recognized board to be eligible for a Bachelor of Arts Acting. Some institutes, such as Whistling Woods International and, National School of Drama (NSD) Entrance Exam, may conduct entrance exams as part of the admission process.

 

The admission procedure for a Bachelor of Acting involves some steps that may vary depending on the institute’s selection criteria. For example, given below is the procedure at Amity School of Film and Drama, Noida:

 

Step 1: Visit the official website of Amity School and sign up online for the BA Acting program.

 

Step 2: Fill in the required personal and academic information in the application form.

 

Step 3: Pay the application fee to complete the application process.

 

Step 4: Upload a copy of the documents required.

 

Step 5: The candidates will be shortlisted based on merit.

 

Step 6: The college will release the merit list of the selected candidates on its website.

 

Step 7: The shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview.

 

Step 8: The final merit list will be created based on the score of the interview, and the selected candidates will be called for the counselling process.

 

Step 9: The shortlisted candidates will be required to submit original certificates to finalize document verification.

 

BA in Acting Syllabus

The BA in Acting curriculum covers all aspects of acting and drama. It will help the students to know about the syllabus and help them handle the coursework. Given below is the syllabus for BA Hons Acting at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai:

Semester I

Semester II

Film Analysis for Actors

Psychology for Actors

Basics of Screenwriting

Spoken Hindi Prose

Spoken Hindi

Acting Practicals I

Introduction to Filmmaking

Acting Theory I

-

Spoken Hindi Poetry

-

Culture Studies I

Semester IV

Semester III

Acting Practicals III

Acting Practicals II

Acting Theory III

Acting Theory II

Film Analysis and History II

Film Analysis and History I

 

Culture Studies II

Semester V

Semester VI

Acting Practicals IV

Acting Practicals V

Acting Theory IV

Acting Theory V

 

BA in Acting Job Profiles

Upon the completion of a BA Acting degree, there is immense scope for earning high salaries that can go up to INR 50,00,000 per annum or even higher, depending on skills and experience. Given below is an overview of career opportunities and starting salary ranges for professionals post the completion of a BA Hons Acting:

Job Profile

Job Description

Beginner Salary (Per Annum)

Theater Actor

Performs live on stage in theatrical productions.

INR 6 LPA

Film Actor

Act in movies, portraying scripted characters.

INR 12 LPA

Television Actor

Appears in TV shows, playing roles in series.

INR 10 LPA

Commercial Actor

Features in advertisements and promotional campaigns.

INR 11 LPA

Voice-over Artist

Provides voice for animations, dubbing, or narrations.

INR 5 LPA

Background Artist (Junior Artist)

Performs non-speaking roles or crowd scenes in films/TV.

INR 5 LPA

 

BA in Acting Future Scope

Upon the completion of BA Acting, students can follow the following career paths:

  • One can pursue an MA in Acting for further in-depth knowledge in this field.
  • Certification courses such as CCA or CATM can also be done for upskilling.
  • Some colleges offer an Advanced Diploma or a PG Diploma in Acting and related fields that can help with specialisation.

 

BA in Acting Vs BFA

An acting degree at BA is more general and provides an education, whereas BFA is narrow and intense in training that targets those who want to pursue an acting career per se.

Aspect

BA Acting

BFA

Degree Focus

More general, includes broader liberal arts subjects.

More specialized, intensive training in acting.

Curriculum

Balanced between theory, practice, and other arts.

Primarily focused on acting practice and performance.

Course Duration

Typically, 3 years.

Usually 3 to 4 years.

Career Preparation

Good for diverse arts-related careers.

Designed for professional acting careers.

Flexibility

More freedom to explore minors or double majors.

More rigid course structure with prerequisites.

Audition

Sometimes required but less intense.

Often requires a rigorous audition for admission.

Practical Work

Includes acting but less frequent practical classes.

Extensive practical acting classes and performances.

 

BA in Acting Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pursue BA Acting with any acting experience?

Yes, it is possible to achieve a BA Acting course without any acting experience. But a background in theatre or drama would be advantageous during auditions or interviews during enrollment to the BA Acting degree.

Will a BA Acting course alone suffice to enter the film industry?

A Bachelor's in Acting gives an individual the basic skills. This will help the students to enter the film industry. There will be several mentors and professors who might help to enter the mainstream film industry as well.

What is the fees for BA acting in Whistling Woods?

The BA Acting is a three-year, full-time, professional discipline of Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, which is meant to offer complete training in the art and craft of acting using mainly cinema as the platform, but also allows theater, television, advertising, and voice-over fields. The overall cost of this degree would be approximately INR 5 lakh by the end of the degree program.

Which are some of the best BA Acting colleges in Mumbai?

Among the top BA Acting colleges in Mumbai, you will find Whistling Woods International, University of Mumbai-Academy of Theatre Arts, Atharva Institute of Film and Television, and Barry John Acting Studio. The city has quality and reputable institutions that offer quality education, experienced teaching faculty, and good industrial tie-ups, which present good prospects to aspiring actors.

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