Creating Career Path...

Finding Further Careers...

Performing Arts

Actor

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

Acting is a creative career involving performing roles in theatre, television, film, radio, and other media. Actors bring characters to life by interpreting scripts, memorising lines, and collaborating with directors and other performers. The work can be varied, including stage performances, TV dramas, commercials, and voiceovers. Flexibility, resilience, and strong communication skills are important, as work is often irregular and actors can spend time auditioning between jobs. Many actors also supplement their income with related work, such as teaching drama or working in the arts sector.

Actor

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

The average salary for actors in the UK ranges from £15,000 to £25,000 per year, although many actors work on a freelance basis and pay can vary widely depending on experience and the type of work.

Employment Numbers

There are approximately 73,000 people employed as actors and entertainers in the UK, according to Creative UK.

Job Competition

Competition is high, with hundreds of applicants often auditioning for a single role.

🚀 Careers in this path

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Stage Actor

Performs live in theatre productions, such as plays, musicals or pantomimes, in front of an audience.

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Voiceover Artist

Uses their voice to portray characters or narrate scripts for animations, video games, adverts or audiobooks.

Television Actor

Acts in television dramas, comedies or soap operas, performing roles in front of cameras for broadcast.

Explore Drama and Performing Arts

Join School or Community Drama Groups

Get involved in drama clubs at school or local youth theatres to gain early acting experience.

Participating in school plays or local drama societies is a great way to build confidence and learn the basics of performance. Many communities have amateur theatre groups or youth workshops that welcome beginners and offer opportunities to perform in front of an audience.

Take Acting Classes

Attend acting classes or workshops to learn essential skills and techniques.

Look for evening classes, weekend workshops, or holiday courses run by local arts centres or theatre schools. These classes can help develop your voice, movement, and improvisation skills, while also providing advice from experienced actors and teachers.

Pursue Formal Training

Study Performing Arts

Consider studying drama, theatre studies, or performing arts at GCSE, A level, or as a BTEC.

Choosing drama or performing arts as a subject at school or college will give you a solid grounding in the practical and theoretical aspects of acting. It also allows you to build a portfolio of performances and meet like-minded people.

Apply to Drama School or University

Apply to accredited drama schools or universities offering acting or performance degrees.

Well-known UK drama schools, such as RADA, LAMDA, Guildhall, and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, offer intensive training and excellent industry connections. Entry is competitive and often requires an audition, so prepare your pieces carefully. Some universities also offer respected theatre and performance courses.

Build Experience and Find Work

Audition for Roles

Look for auditions in local theatres, student films, commercials, or online casting calls.

Many actors start with unpaid or low-paid roles to gain experience and build a showreel. Auditioning regularly will help you develop resilience and improve your performance skills. Consider registering with casting websites and agencies that specialise in new talent.

Network and Join Industry Organisations

Make connections in the industry and join professional bodies like Equity.

Networking with other actors, directors, and producers can help you hear about new opportunities. Joining organisations such as Equity provides professional support, advice, and access to job listings. Attending workshops, showcases, and industry events is also valuable for making contacts.

🎬 Useful Videos

Expert Film: This is Osman Bawa. Osman works as a IMS Manager for Rolls Royce SMR. Osman talks about the factors which affect an object's ability to resist water.
1:10
Expert

Expert Film: This is Osman Bawa. Osman works as a IMS Manager for Rolls Royce SMR. Osman talks about the factors which affect an object's ability to resist water.

almost 2 years ago
Expert Film: This is Jonathan Dodds. Jonathan works as a Technical Manager for National Nuclear Laboratory. Jonathan talks about how nuclear will help us reach net zero.
1:14
Expert

Expert Film: This is Jonathan Dodds. Jonathan works as a Technical Manager for National Nuclear Laboratory. Jonathan talks about how nuclear will help us reach net zero.

almost 2 years ago

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Actor. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

No career progressions found for Actor

Sample Qualifications

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • a course at drama school

University

You could do a foundation degree, degree or postgraduate diploma in a subject such as:

  • drama
  • performance studies
  • contemporary theatre and performance
  • acting
  • musical theatre

You could join your university drama or theatre society to develop a network of contacts and get performance experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • to pass an audition
  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

College

There is no set entry route to become an actor but it may be useful to do a course like:

  • performing arts
  • drama and theatre
  • speech and drama

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Volunteering

Acting is very competitive and you'll need to develop your skills by getting as much acting experience as possible.

You might get experience by joining:

  • amateur, community or youth theatre
  • college and university drama societies
  • student drama festivals and competitions
  • an agency to get work as an 'extra' for films and TV shows

Societies and theatre groups also help you meet other people in the acting profession. It can be useful to have contacts when looking for work.

Direct Application

You may be able to find work by applying directly for roles if you have a lot of experience and exceptional acting talent.

Other Routes

You can study with a private drama school or conservatoire. You can choose from full time courses, short courses and summer schools.

You'll need to pass an audition to get into a drama school. You may also need A levels or a Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts. This is not always essential if you can show enough talent and commitment.

You could also take graded exams in acting, musical theatre and performance art at:

Funding

You may be able to apply for a Dance and Drama Award to help with fees and living costs at a private drama school.

More Information

Career tips

You'll need to get as much experience of acting as you can. You can give showreels and headshots to agents and casting directors.

You may need another job to get the money you need while you search for acting roles or when you're between acting jobs.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join Equity who are a professional body. They can help you find jobs, training opportunities and contacts.

You'll need to have earned money from an acting job or be a student or graduate to join Equity.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in theatre, film and the creative sector from:

Interested in More Career Paths?

Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.

Browse All Careers Generate New Career Path

Stay connected

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases

Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK

Phone
01603 273515

Email
[email protected]

Developing Experts

LessonsAboutResearchReportingPlans & Pricing

Legal

GDPRPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsCookie Policy

Contact Us

Get in touchRequest SubscriptionChildren's CodeAbout UsCareers

Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.