{"id":3666,"date":"2023-11-23T10:02:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T10:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=3666"},"modified":"2026-05-21T16:56:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:56:22","slug":"how-to-be-an-actor-in-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/the-essentials\/how-to-be-an-actor-in-scotland\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start Your Acting Career in Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to start your acting career in Scotland, find acting jobs and the expected cost of living in Edinburgh and Glasgow for 2023<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n

Scotland is steeped in culture that goes way beyond its famous ceilidhs and iconic bagpipes. The country\u2019s breathtaking scenery served as the backdrop for films such as <\/span>Harry Potter,<\/span><\/i> Sunshine on Leith<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>James Bond: Skyfall<\/span><\/i>. Historical time-travelling drama <\/span>Outlander<\/span><\/i> \u2013 now in its seventh season \u2013 created a massive tourism boost for Scotland, attracting fans from around the world to tour its filming locations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Outlander\u2019s<\/span><\/i> lead actor,<\/span> Sam Heughan, said of the show\u2019s popularity<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s been life-changing for the tourism industry and also for our careers.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With an<\/span> impressive choice of drama schools and acting programmes, Scotland has produced a multitude of talented actors such as Ewan McGregor, Sean Connery and Karen Gillan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, Scotland is ideal for aspiring actors or those wanting to establish a career, with Glasgow and Edinburgh providing ideal bases for work in TV, film and theatre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re living in Scotland or thinking of moving there and want to establish an acting career, this guide will cover everything you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Actor Training in Scotland<\/span><\/h3>\n

Full-time training:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland<\/span><\/a> is ranked sixth best in the world of institutions to study performing arts. The Glasgow institution offers a BA (Hons) Acting and a BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course, and students can utilise the school\u2019s first-class facilities with five performance venues.<\/span><\/p>\n

The conservatoire\u2019s impressive alumni include James McAvoy, Richard Madden and Ncuti Gatwa. Gatwa, who graduated in 2013, <\/span>praised RCS for the atmosphere among students and staff<\/span><\/a>, \u201cIts approach was very personal.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more about The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland\u2019s entry requirements and <\/span>how to apply<\/span><\/a> here<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other full and part-time options throughout Scotland:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Edinburgh Napier University<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n