This two-year diploma offers in-depth training in voice, body, imagination, and collaboration, allowing you to develop your acting toolbox. You will be further challenged with opportunities for live performance, while being guided and advised on how to form industry networks – a crucial part of gaining relevance in an ever-evolving industry.
What you'll learn
Critic, develop, reflect and succeed
Alongside developing specific skills for working on-screen, you will engage in rigorous physical and vocal training and be introduced to multiple approaches to acting. You will develop skills in analysing text and reflect on your own performance and progress.
Practise makes perfect
You will practise your craft on and off camera, and your familiarity and confidence with the technical aspects of screen acting will grow throughout the year. You will gain a deeper understanding of acting through our holistic approach.
You get to tell your story
A key element of your second year will be providing you with the skills to create your own work, this will take the form of collaborative workshops and a screen project led by an industry professional. You will have further training in acting techniques and many opportunities to practice with industry mentors and directors.
We refine your techniques
We provide you with a range of physical and vocal specialist workshops; with access to smaller group sessions, addressing your own specific goals. These in-depth workshops include accent development, voice overs, motion capture, and other technique aspects for you to further develop on.
Showcase your project
We bring in a range of specialist industry professionals throughout the year, to support your core training. You will be guided in developing your self-taping skills and audition techniques. At the end of the year, you will collaborate with a professional director to shoot your showcase piece and graduate with showcase material to introduce you to the industry and emerge as an actor, a collaborator and a creative.
A bit more information
Domestic students
Tuition Fees:
First year: $9,310
Second year: $9,311
Student Services Levy: $350 per year
Fees Free Study
To find out if you are eligible for Fees Free study, please find out more here or visit the government Fees Free Website
International students
Tuition Fees: $26,000/year (NZD)
Total: $52,000
Course Related Costs: $2,000 (NZD)
Total: $4,000
For more information, click here to download the international course costs PDF.
Please note fees are subject to change.
The course is open to all New Zealand and international students.
International applicants must be 18 or older
International students must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS (Academic) Level 6
All applicants must complete the course application form and written requirements
We will invite suitable applicants to attend an audition workshop at South Seas
The audition workshop involves applicants taking part in a series of exercises observed by South Seas On-screen Acting tutors, who assess the applicant’s suitability for a place on the course. Tutors will invite some applicants for a 'callback', to complete more exercises and submit to an interview. The tutors then contact all applicants and advise whether they will be offered a place on the course or not. Students will need to provide a CV (work or performance) and Headshot prior to the audition.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive the New Zealand Diploma in Drama (Level 6).
Get more info
Provide your details in the form below and one of our course advisors will then be in touch with more information.
"We were given so much ‘on set’ training through working with the other departments at South Seas that, when finally on a professional set, I was able to know what was going on at all times and act to my full potential.”
- Rebeckah Randell, Actress
Course Start Dates
Next round of Auditions for the Feb 2026 intake will be on 20th-21st September 2025.
Check out some student work
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