BA Acting is typically a3-year degree for undergraduates that deals with the study of various aspects of acting and drama. The eligibility criteria for Bachelor of Arts in Acting is that the students have passed class 12 or any other equivalent qualifying exam in any stream with a minimum50% aggregate marks from any recognized board. Colleges in India offering a BA Acting degree are CPIFT, Gandhinagar, SIFT, Rohtak, etc.
Most colleges offering a BA Acting give admission on merit, while some colleges, such as FTII, Pune, conduct entrance exams. Course fees for BA Acting range between INR 12,000 - 200000. The job profiles after completion of a BA Acting are Film and TV Actor, Theatre Artist, Voice-over Artist, etc. The average annual salaries for freshers of Bachelor of Arts in Acting ranges between INR 5 - 12 LPA (depending on skills and expertise).
- BA in Acting Course Highlights
- What is BA in Acting?
- Why choose BA in Acting?
- Who Should Pursue BA in Acting?
- BA Acting Entrance Examination 2025
- BA in Acting Colleges in India
- BA Acting Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process
- BA in Acting Syllabus
- BA in Acting Job Profiles
- BA in Acting Future Scope
- BA in Acting Frequently Asked Questions
BA in Acting Course Highlights
Students need to know about some important highlights for the BA Acting course. Given below are some of the basic Bachelor of Arts in Acting course highlights:
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 2025
Some colleges, such as NIFT and the School of Fashion Technology, conduct entrance exams for admission into BA Hons Acting. Given below is a list of entrance exams for admission to BA Acting degree:
Exam Name | Application Date (General) | Exam Date (2025) | Application Fee (General) |
Whistling Woods International (WWI) | Applications open; Entrance exam round 4 application deadline: 30 May 2025 | Not announced | INR 3500 |
National School of Drama (NSD) Entrance Exam | April 10 2025 | Not announced | Gen - INR 250SC/ST - INR 50OBC-NCL/EWS - INR 150. |
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) JET | Not announced | Not announced | INR 2,000SC/ST - INR 600
Female - INR 600 |
GMCET (Gujarat Music and Cultural Entrance Test) | Registration ongoing till 30 May 2025 | 31 May 2025 | INR 350 |
CUET | March – May 2025 | 13 May – 3 June 2025 | Gen - INR 1000SC/ST - INR 800 |
BA in Acting Colleges in India
There are many colleges in India that offer BA 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 Bachelor of Acting. Some institutes such as Whistling Woods International, 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:
- Submission of Application Form: Offline/online submission of the application form to the desired institute.
- Merit-Based Selection: Institutes provide direct admission based on marks.
- Final Allotment: Declaration of the list of selected students on the official college website.
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 during 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 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.
Which are the big cities in India where there is scope in acting after a Bachelor's in Acting?
The hub of Bollywood and TV is Mumbai, which offers good scope for BA Acting pass-outs. Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata also have a strong theatre and local film industry.
Is there any scholarship for Bachelor's in Acting in India?
Some colleges like NSD and FTII provide scholarships for BA Acting students on merit as well as on financial grounds.