collageFilm schools in Europe offer a wide range of degree programs and courses for aspiring filmmakers and actors. From the Academy of Performing Arts in Czechia to the Lodz Film School in Poland, these institutions provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the competitive film industry. Whether you are interested in directing, acting, or screenwriting, there are top film schools in Europe that can help you achieve your goals.
The quality of education offered by these film schools can be seen in the prestigious programs they offer and the success of their alumni in the industry. For example, the University of Surrey’s Acting MA and MFA programs provide students with intensive training in acting techniques and performance skills. Similarly, the La Fémis in France offers workshops and summer courses that give students hands-on experience in filmmaking. By attending one of these top film schools in Europe, students can develop their talents and build a strong foundation for a successful career in the film industry.
To better understand the programs offered by the top film schools in Europe, it is helpful to compare the degree types and admission requirements of each institution. The table below highlights some of the key information about the film schools mentioned above, including the degree types offered, the country where the university is located, and the specific programs available. By examining this data, prospective students can make informed decisions about which film school best fits their interests and career goals.
Table of Universities Offering Performing Arts Degrees
| University | Country | Degree Type |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Performing Arts, FAMU | Czechia | Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| Catalyst Berlin | Germany | Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| La Fémis | France | Workshops, Summer courses |
| Lodz Film School | Poland | Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama | UK | Acting Diploma |
| University of Surrey | UK | Acting MA, Acting MFA |
Top 15 Best Film Schools In Europe
Motion pictures, television shows, commercials, and educational videos are made everywhere. Hollywood and New York City are major cities in the USA with a large number of studios and with some production happening all the time. Around the world are other centers of creative productions.
Some of the best schools for filmmaking careers are in or near these cities, with many being in European countries. The best film schools in Europe can educate any filmmaker in the basics and quite a few of them offer degree programs that are among the best, and most prestigious, in the world.
One of the obstacles that hampers some aspiring filmmakers is getting a quality education in their own language. Thankfully, students in other lands and speaking other languages can get the education and they need to succeed in filmmaking anywhere.
Because the same principles apply to any film or TV studio, a graduate of a top film school anywhere in the world is equipped with the skills necessary to work anywhere in the world. Just look at how many award winning films or box office successes are made by filmmakers from places other than Hollywood or New York City in the USA.
Here is an overview of some of the best film schools in Europe.
Top 15 Best Film Schools In Europe!
1. London Film School
One of the most prestigious film schools in Europe, if not the world, this school only accepts postgraduates wanting to continue on to their Master’s or a Ph.D. in their chosen discipline of filmmaking.
Located in London since 1966, the London Film School is international in scope. Only a small number of candidates are accepted each year and these candidates can come from anywhere in the world. This year, 60 % of the student body comes from some 30 different countries.
The LFS has various degree programs at postgraduate level. There is an MA in Filmmaking, and an MA in Screenwriting. Also offered, in partnership with the University of Exeter, are an MA in International Film Business and a PhD in Film by Practice. The London Film School also offers shorter and part-time professional development courses as LFS Workshops.
It functions more like a studio than a college. In the filmmaking Masters program, student will work on about 10 films before receiving their degree. On at least two of those films, the student will act as director. So, even if the student is wanting to be an award winning screen writer, cinematographer, or film editor, they will have real world experience in the other aspects of filmmaking.
The degree programs cover film and digital, and the primary language s English.
2. Academy of Performing Arts’ Film and TV School
Also known as FAMU, the Academy located in Prague, Czech Republic, is one of the world’s top film universities offering a variety of degrees. Founded in 1946, it is also the fifth oldest film school in the world, behind Moscow, Berlin, Rome, and Paris.
Programs for Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D.’s are available in Directing, Documentary filmmaking, Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy, Animated Film, Cinematography, Sound Design, Editing, Production, Photography, and Audio Visual Studies.
This film school has taught some of the most active and awarded directors in major motion picture work through the decades.
Classes are primarily in Czech, but many English language studies are provided as well.
3. University of Television and Film Munic
German schools have been powerhouses in the fields of art and engineering for a long time. The Munich University of Television and Film, Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München, was established in 1966. Besides being a top film school in Germany, it is considered one of the leading film schools in the world.
Student to teacher ration is less than 10:1 most semesters, a great environment for learning fundamentals and the deeper, insider knowledge and disciplines. Many grads have gone on to great success in film and TV, including winning awards such as Oscars.
Classes are conducted in German. Media and Communication Studies and Media Technology are two fundamental departments that each degree program includes. Other departments include Creative Writing, TV Journalism, Advertising, Serial Storytelling. Five degree programs are in Film and Television Drama Directing, Documentary Film and Television Reportage Directing, Film Production and Media Economics, Screenplay, and Cinematography.
Interested in more German schools? Well, we have got you covered! You can check out our guide here on the best photography and film schools in Germany!
4. La Fémis
La Fémis (Fondation Européenne pour les Métiers de l’Image et du Son), in Paris, was established in 1943 and restructured in 1986, and is a top rated film school in Europe and the world. Buildings on school grounds were part of motion picture studios since 1926.
The school has teaching departments in direction, screenwriting, picture, sound, editing, production, set design, script continuity, and distribution/exploitation. There is also a master workshop, a production program for advanced training. Courses are taught in French.
5. Lodz Film School
Another top rated film school, the Film School in Lodz, Poland was established in 1948 and is the leading Polish academy for training actors, directors, photographers, camera operators, and television production professionals.
The school teaches directors, directors of photography, animators, photographers, screenwriters, editors, film and television production managers, and actors. Students learn their chosen profession and gain experience by a mix of classroom study and work on real film sets.
Some of the most successful creative workers in film received their education through the Film School of Lodz.
6. National Film and Television School
The NFTS has more than 30 English language courses, including courses for certificates and Bachelors to Masters programs in the fields of film, television, and games.
It has more behind the camera courses than any other film school. Programs and courses include directing and cinematography as well as specialist disciplines such as script supervision and production accounting.
Opened in 1971, the site of the school is an old studio dating back to 1921. Diversity is an important aspect of the NFTS, with a large portion of the student body being comprised of minorities and women.
NFTS has its own film studios and its own television studio, both completely equipped with Industry standard equipment. Their studios have an annual production of around one hundred and fifty films, making this an ideal environment for learning the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful Film and TV career.
7. Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography
Russia has great schools, the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography was founded in 1919 as the Moscow Film School. It is the oldest film school in the world. It’s had the current name since 1986.
With all courses taught in Russian, students graduate with one of the best educations for all aspects of filmmaking. The graduates from this school have all the tools needed for a successful career.
To receive any information and apply, you will have to be fluent in Russian.
8. Italian National Film School
Italian National Film School (Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia), founded in Rome in 1935, is the oldest Western European film school courses of acting, screenplay writing, production design, animation, set design and costuming, cinematography, sound engineering, production, and editing.
Classes are taught in Italian. The Italian National Film School trains its students using 35mm equipment over a three year period. There are only 6 places available per class year, so understandably student selection is a competitive process. The results for graduates are well worth it, with the placement rate being extremely high in the film industry.
Classes are taught in Italian.
9. Norwegian Film School
Norwegian Film School was opened in 1997 as Den Norske Filmskolen. It offers a three year Bachelors degree program in Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production design, Digital visual design, Screenwriting, Sound design/technique, and Documentary.
A Masters program in Audiovisual Storytelling is for anyone who works professionally in film, TV, and other media industry, and who wants to further develop their skills, qualifications, and overall marketability.
Studies are conducted in Norwegian, and the school even has artistic fellowships conducted in various state sponsored research departments.
10. The Deutsche Film und Fernsehakademie Berlin
The dffb was founded in 1966. As one of Germany’s oldest film schools, it has a long tradition of training creative and successful film industry professionals. “Ich bin ein Berliner” is still in the minds of many throughout the world, thought nowadays not so much for any political reason. Berlin is well known as an international center for creative arts of all kinds.
The dffb’s courses for professional film industry subjects are designed to focus on the primary skills of filmmaking, such as directing, scriptwriting, production, and cinematography. Courses are taught in German.
Students generally complete the course in 4 years, with participants in the directing course taking slightly longer in order to complete films that factor into their degrees. 34 students per year are enrolled.
Subjects covered include screenwriting, directing, producing and business skills for producers, writers and directors, introduction to distribution, marketing and exhibition, cinematography, camera operation, and editing.
11. The Humanities Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting (GITR)
In Moscow, Russia since 1949, GITR teaches people to become professionals in Film, TV, and Radio. You don’t have to be Russian to attend, but you will need to able to speak and read Russian.
Degrees are available across the board from this internationally acclaimed institute. Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D.’s are offered in various specialties of Film, Television, and Radio work. Programs include Journalism and Screenplay, Directing Film Television and Multimedia, Camera Operating, Sound Engineering and Music Art, Management and Producing, Stage Design for Theatre and Film and TV, and Animation.
12. Media Business School
This primarily Spanish language school focuses on the business side of the Film and TV industry. Established in 1991 in Barcelona, Spain, it offers a wide variety of learning options including several Masters degree programs.
With a stellar international reputation, this school has placement rates near 100% for its graduates. Some of the specialties taught include European Audiovisual Management and Marketing and International Distribution.
13. Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT)
Opened in 1997 in Dublin, Ireland, the institute launched a film school in 2003. Studies include film, animation, broadcasting, and digital media production.
An English language school, the Institute has a large international student body on a fairly large campus. Bachelors degrees are offered in the various disciplines and the school enjoys a fine reputation in the international arts community.
Want to learn more? Then check out my guide on the best photography schools in Europe! There are 15 in total!
14. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
A public university in Thessaloniki, Greece since 2004, it open for Greek citizens to attend at no charge. State sponsored, it the only University in Greece with degree programs in Film and Television. Classes are in Greek.
Greece has a performing arts industry dating back to the BCE years, and well trained Greek professionals continue to excel in this discipline. A Bachelors degree is available and student are taught in the areas of film-direction, film-production, film-writing, cinematography, editing, sound-design and music for film, sets and costumes, and film history and film theory.
15. Aalto University
Operating in Helsinki, Finland since 2010, Aalto University has degree programs in Film and Television studies.
Students are taught in Finnish and enjoy a mixed education of classroom and hands on real word training in their art. Bachelors and Masters are offered in such diverse disciplines as theatre and film costuming, cinematography, directing, producing, screenwriting, and film editing.
A well deserved high reputation in the international arts community, this university has trained many award winning and successful professionals in TV and Film. This is easily one of the best film schools in europe!
If I have missed any schools that you believe should be in the list, please let me know as I will update this article in the future!
Best Acting Schools in the World
Twenty is a number much broader than five, which means that a chance of getting into one of these drama schools is also bigger, therefore, let’s look at the best acting schools in the world list of Top 20.
We’ve already provided you a bunch of tips on how to prepare and succeed when applying for one of these best acting schools in the world, regardless of your location (you can find all these tips in our Beginner’s Guide linked below).
If you haven’t seen my more narrow list of Top 5 top acting schools in the world, you might start from there. Who knows, maybe you’ll pick a top institution from that list, set your mind to it and get accepted. Get into one of the best acting schools in the world would be a dream come true for any actor, so if you think you can do it, I say don’t waste your time on reading this article — just do it!
However, I believe some readers are here just out of curiosity because they want to see what schools I have picked for my best acting schools in the world list and most likely criticize those choices.
I would like to remind to those people that just like I did with my lists of Best Acting Schools in the UK, Best Drama Schools in London, Best Drama Schools in UK and Drama Clubs in London, I have done my research and based the choices on a lot of criteria. I’ve also been in the industry long enough, everyday searching through the same topics all over and over again, which made me into sort of an acting industry critic or reviewer.
TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | NEW YORK CITY
Tisch or TSOA as the school is also known, is part of the New York University. It was founded in 1965 and is now one of America’s leading centers for studying performing arts. Aside from well-know screen actors, Tisch trained a significant amount of the most famous Broadway stars and is considered to be the top “supplier” of musical actors in the country, and maybe even the world. It’s a big school with over 3,000 undergraduate and about 1,000 postgraduate students. The huge amount of students is explain by school having multiple artistic departments. If you can graduate with a diploma from TSOA, consider yourself an alumni of one of the best acting schools in the world that trained today’s world-class names.
Graduates: Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ang Lee, Woody Allen, Joel Coen, Whoopi Goldberg, Marisa Tomei, Alec Baldwin, Jeffrey Wright, Bridget Fonda, Anne Hathaway, Adam Sandler
Website: http://www.tisch.nyu.edu
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRAMATIC ART | KENSINGTON
Finally an Australia school on our best acting schools in the world list. NIDA was started in 1958 in the suburbs of Sydney, with just 23 students and two teachers. Over time it grew into the biggest drama school in Australia and definitely one of the best acting schools in the world, having brought a significant amount of great actors to both the United States and the United Kingdom. As it is said, only 4% of applicants pass their NIDA auditions; just like every other great drama school, it’s not easy to get into, and it’s not easy to stay either. Mel Gibson said: “I mean, I loved NIDA and hated it.” If you can get the chance, having NIDA on your resume will undoubtedly put you on the map.
Graduates: Mel Gibson, Cate Blanchett, Judy Davis, Baz Luhrmann, Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington
Website: http://www.nida.edu.au
OXFORD SCHOOL OF DRAMA | WOODSTOCK
Oxford’s drama school is one of the youngest acting schools in the United Kingdom. While it has been around for only about 26 years, it has already produced a respectable amount of talented and famous performers. It’s a relatively small school with just 18 students on a course, so the competition for a place at this school between elite wannabe actors is a fierce one. This drama school is absolutely independent and is not attached to any of the Universities of the United Kingdom, and to get accepted means training at one of the best acting schools in the world.
Graduates: Lee Boardman, Christina Cole, Catherine McCormack, Will Adamsdale, Claire Foy, Anna Galvin
Website: http://oxforddrama.ac.uk
YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA | NEW HAVEN
No doubt one of the best acting schools in the world for training actors is Yale that has opened their doors in 1900. It’s one of the most famous drama schools that not only is a privilege to get accepted to, but it’s just as difficult to stay and train there. If you choose it, and get in, then forget about auditioning for 4 years — you won’t have the time or the energy. This drama school is also very well known for rejecting talented actors just because they considered them not talented enough; those are actors that have gone to build themselves successful careers. So yes, keep in mind — it’s more difficult to get accepted into this drama school than it is to get into a summer’s blockbuster movie.
Graduates: Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, Paul Newman, Angela Bassett, Courtney Vance, Henry Winkler, Charles Dutton, Dick Cavett, John Turturro
Website: http://drama.yale.edu/
AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER | SAN FRANCISCO
ACT, as it’s also known, was first founded in 1965 in Pittsburgh. It’s a resident company of top shelf professional actors that drew attention of 7 million people to theater’s Tony award winning shows. What’s more important, is that students get an opportunity to audition for real productions of ACT and they do get cast, this way receiving a massive exposure and experience from the top notch production in the acting industry. ACT is on the best acting schools in the world list also because like most of top drama schools in America, it has trained actors whose names will not be alien to you, and might inspire to actually submit a form for an audition to get into the school.
Graduates: Delroy Lindo, Anna Deavere Smith, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Banks, Annette Bening, Winona Ryder, Nicolas Cage, Danny Glover, Teri Hatcher, Benjamin Bratt, Darren Criss
Website: http://www.act-sf.org
GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC & DRAMA | LONDON
It’s great to be able to include GSMD once again, and it’s all the way up there with other best acting schools in the world, no doubt. This drama school is one of the most prestigious in the United Kingdom, rubbing shoulders not only with great musicians like Jacqueline du Pre and James Galway, but also actors that made a name for themselves both in UK and US markets. Dominic West says of GSMD: “Guildhall gives a broad training — it’s not prescriptive. We’re able to be versatile.” Michelle Dockery said: “Getting in was like winning the lottery.”
Graduates: Ewan McGregor, Joseph Fiennes, Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans, Orlando Bloom, Eileen Atkins
Website: http://www.gsmd.ac.uk
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES
USC, as a research University, has been founded in 1880 in Los Angeles. While University’s research department is extremely famous by itself and the USC’s not exclusively drama based, their drama department is considered to be strong enough to hold their own against other best acting schools in the world. It is ranked among the top theater programs in the United States for a good reason, as throughout the years it has graduated some very successful actors. The reason why I like USC is because students there are already trained not only in acting, but in the business as well, because that’s what it takes to make it here. Who better would know this that people from Los Angeles.
Graduates: Forest Whitaker, Kelly Preston, Lisa Ling, John Wayne, Michael Landon, John Ritter, LeVar Burton, Rob Estes, Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Selleck, Ally Sheedy, Cybill Shepherd, Sophia Bush, Robert Stack, Robert Zemeckis
Website: http://www.usc.edu/
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES
Straight up next on the best acting schools in the world list comes another Los Angeles based research University with extremely strong resume of successful actors on their hands. It was established in 1882 and since then grew to be a very important part of the state of California. In addition, UCLA produced some of the greatest names ever in the industry, some of whom most likely inspired you to become an actor. Just like USC, UCLA’s actor training emphasizes screen work and understanding the business; there’s no way around it for an actor who wants to make it in Hollywood. Their world class drama department is one of the greatest study opportunities an actor can ever get.
Graduates: James Dean, Tom Skerritt, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Englund, Elizabeth Berkley, Lloyd Bridges, James Coburn, Jayne Mansfield, Rob Reiner, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, Jaleel White, Mayim Bialik, Jack Black
Website: http://www.ucla.edu
Best Acting Schools in the World: Top 20
JUILLIARD SCHOOL | NEW YORK CITY
Of course, it had to be also on the list of best acting schools in the world, and I know you were waiting for it. Considered to be the best drama school in the world, Juilliard comes up first on our list of best acting schools in the world in no particular order. Julilliard was established in 1905 as the Institute of Musical Art. At the moment, they train about 800 students per year and have produced some of the world’s most notable alumnus. It is actually harder to get into Juilliard than it is to get accepted into Harvard. Like I said, it can’t get more prestigious than that.
Graduates: Kevin Spacey, Robin Williams, Val Kilmer, Christopher Reeve, Ving Rhames, Kelsey Grammer, Eriq La Salle, Kevin Kline, William Hurt
Website: http://www.juilliard.edu/
ITALIA CONTI ACADEMY OF THEATRE ARTS | LONDON
Italia Conti was founded in 1911 and is named after its founder Italia Conti, who was an established female actor at the time. This drama school has always provided a modern approach to actor’s training based on the core of traditional skills, which means a strong emphasis on screen acting. Many professionals at this school are working in the industry and that means great connections after you graduate.
Graduates: Noel Coward, Russell Brand, Leslie Phillips
Website: http://www.italiaconti.com
ROYAL ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ART | LONDON
And here comes UK’s royalty for the list of best acting schools in the world in no particular order. RADA was founded in 1904 and in addition to being considered one of the best acting schools in the world, it’s probably one of the hardest to get into in the UK. It is named this way for a reason, as it radiates royal reputation. There are classes that involve just one teacher and up to three students. It is said that The Beatles were famous because their RADA-trained manager taught them how to be dramatic. If you’re able to get in, after graduation you’ll be definitely on agents’ and casting directors’ radar.
Graduates: Peter O’Toole, Mike Leigh, Joan Collins, Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Vivien Leigh
Website: http://www.rada.ac.uk
LONDON ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND DRAMATIC ARTS | LONDON
LAMDA is one of the oldest drama schools in the world. After being founded in 1861, it has produced some absolutely great talent. Graduates of this drama school has already taken 19 BAFTAs, 4 Academy Awards, 16 Golden Globes, 36 Olivier Awards and 12 Tonys. Apart from this school looking strong, someone who can manage to get LAMDA onto their resume will score some major points in the great training and showbiz connections department.
Graduates: Donald Sutherland, John Lithgow, Jim Broadbent, Swoosie Kurtz, Brian Cox
Website: http://www.lamda.org.uk
MOUNTVIEW ACADEMY OF THEATER ARTS | LONDON
Mountview, as it is often referred to, is currently one of the leading drama schools in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1945 and who’s current president is our beloved ‘M’, Dame Judi Dench. The school places a strong emphasis on professional stage training, but of course introduction to related industries is also there. There are claims that Mountview also supports their alumnus months and even years after they have graduated. So if that is something you are looking into (connections for years to come, why not?), then you should definitely consider applying to Mountview. Make sure you have what it takes though to get a place one of the best acting schools in the world.
Graduates: Brendan Coyle, Denise Welch, Eddie Marsan
Website: http://www.mountview.org.uk
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO
Another one of research Universities on our best acting schools in the world list due to its extremely strong theatrical department worth to be put up against any other drama school in the world. Established in 1898, DePaul is now the top institution for actors in the second best theater city in America, Chicago. Like most other Universities and drama schools on this list, DePaul trained well-known and talented actors and deserves to stay on the list. “There’s something in the water in Chicago. It’s a great place for actors, and so is DePaul,” said producer Laurence Mark.
Graduates: Elizabeth Perkins, John C. Reilly, Gillian Anderson, Kevin Anderson, Judy Greer, Karl Malden, Joe Mantegna
Website: http://www.depaul.edu
THE ACTORS STUDIO | NEW YORK CITY
I have skipped this school on every other list of mine, but I’m glad to finally get an opportunity to include The Actors Studio in the list of best acting schools in the world. This drama school has gone through some major changes, most recently joining the Pace University in 2006. A lot of actors call Actors Studio a “sacred place”, and you can understand why after looking at the graduates list that I couldn’t finish completely. With the most powerful history of all drama schools in the world and built from the basis of world-famous Group Theater, Actors Studio had some of the best teachers: Lee Strasberg, Harold Clurman, Elia Kazan, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner and Robert Lewis. Its current co-presidents are Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel and Al Pacino. Co-artistic directors are Mark Rydell and Martin Landau.
Graduates: Marlon Brando, Julia Roberts, Montgomery Clift, Robert DeNiro, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Walken, Sidney Poitier, Jack Nicholson, Eric Stoltz, Jane Fonda, Shelley Winters, Gene Wilder, Mickey Rourke, Carroll Baker, Steven Hill, Paul Newman, Eli Wallach, Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Ellen Burstyn, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, Chazz Palminteri, Tennessee Williams, Dennis Hopper, Martin Landau, Karl Malden, Bradley Cooper
Website: http://theactorsstudio.org/
ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND | GLASGOW
Another one on the list of best acting schools in the world is a drama school for actors in Scotland. RCS (formally RSAMD for Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama) is a strong drama school founded as long ago as 1847. Prince Charles is currently a patron of the Academy, helping to maintain a school’s place as a vibrant conservatoire. Apart from great undergraduate and post-graduate courses, RCS also has Junior Academy of Drama for under 18 year old youngsters looking to get a head start in their acting career. It is definitely one of the world-famous places you will not regret being trained.
Graduates: Robert Carlyle, John Hannah, Billy Boyd, Angela Lonsdale
Website: http://www.rcs.ac.uk
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH
Founded by Andrew Carnegie, the institution has been alive since 1900. During the period since they’ve developed their drama department, CMU has done enough to deserve a place on the best acting schools in the world list. What have their done? They trained some of the greatest American actors there are that won 6 Oscars and 96 Emmy awards. Zachary Quinto was quoted saying about the joy of studying at CMU: “It was a four-year playground.” Holly Hunter added: “I loved to be able to take a script apart in purely technical terms to learn about a character using this very pragmatic tool. That’s where I learned it.” Definitely a good addition to our best acting schools in the world list.
Graduates: Steven Bochco, Paula Wagner, Ted Danson, Rob Marshall, Patrick Wilson, John Wells, Zachary Quinto, Holly Hunter
Website: http://www.cmu.edu
CENTRAL SCHOOL OF SPEECH AND DRAMA | LONDON
CSSD is making its appearance once again on best acting schools in the world list, and it’s well deserved. CSSD is a very highly regarded theater and drama school that was founded in 1906. T0 say that you were able to fill a place in Central, as it’s also known, is a statement to be proud of. Throughout the years this drama school has produced some extremely talented actors that were successful both on stage and in film/TV. This is one of the most unique centers for aspiring actors in London that always there to offer a new form of training in theater and film acting.
Graduates: Sir Laurence Olivier, Dame Judi Dench, Peggy Ashcroft, Harold Pinter, Vanessa Redgrave
Website: http://www.cssd.ac.uk
ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA | CARDIFF
Making a transfer from UK’s top list into our best acting schools in the world list is RWCMD. Established in 1949 in Cardiff Castle, RWCMD — the National Conservatoire of Wales — is on the top level with all other great drama schools of the United Kingdom, and even the world. From what I have read about this school, they really take care of their students during and after the studies to get them onto their feet in the industry. The school has strong connections to local TV broadcast stations, constantly invites casting directors and stages over 300 public performances per year. If you are anywhere near Cardiff or Wales, consider applying to this drama school — satisfaction is guaranteed.
Graduates: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones
Website: http://www.rwcmd.ac.uk
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS | VALENCIA
Another drama school from best acting schools in the world list that’s very close to Hollywood is a well-known CalArts. Established in 1961 in Valencia, Los Angeles County, CalArts is responsible for bringing a good amount of talented actors in the US market. Following Travis Preston’s quote, CalArts is now referred to in the sense of “the hub of a vast network of artistic and professional relationships that traverses the globe.” As it is claimed, students of CalArts get to work with the likes of the Wooster Group, Andre Gregory, Magnetic Fields composer Stephin Merritt and avant-garde dramatist Richard Foreman.
Graduates: Katey Sagal, Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, Condola Rashad, Eliza Coupe, Alison Brie
Website: http://calarts.edu/
Best Acting Schools in the World — How to get into one?
A little disclaimer first: for this little best acting schools in the world list we have picked out best drama schools only from English speaking countries. We are definitely aware of the great actors training in Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as French, Italian, Spanich and other schools of acting and their philosophical and physical approach.
However, we’re trying to give as much information as possible to our UK and US based aspiring actors looking to get into one of the best acting schools in the world where they can still maintain the ability to communicate in their native language, because our guess is that majority of them will be interested in training in their native language. We hope our foreign friends will forgive us.
As expected, of course, best acting schools in the world are mostly from United States and the United Kingdom. Obviously, London and New York City, two best theater cities with the longest and most in-depth theatrical history, are dominating the scene. Best screen acting training though belongs to California based drama schools, all four of them, which is no surprise in my opinion. And like I said, America’s actors training is very different from UK’s, as a lot of current actors don’t bother with diplomas and are getting training in private acting schools.
I would like to remind once again that the list is in no particular order. I’ve also tried to mix up all schools compared to other lists so that you could see one drama school in the top position while it was at the bottom on another list. It’s also important for you to understand that hard work prevails over anything else, and if you can get into ANY of these schools, you might be as successful as any of those graduates. Success is all about you, and very little if at all about the place you are studying at.
For more specific choices than just best acting schools in the world, you can take a loot at my lists of Best Acting Schools in the UK, Best Drama Schools in London, Best Drama Schools in UK and Drama Clubs in London. An actor from the United Kingdom might definitely find this to be a useful Intel.
Drop a comment below if you have an experience with any of these schools to share. I hope this list of best acting schools in the world will be of assistance to you, or at least be an interesting read.
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