Theatre Diploma

• What is the NSTA Theatre Diploma?

  The NSTA Theatre Diploma is a single, comprehensive award that recognises sustained commitment, contribution, and development in school or youth theatre. It celebrates pupils who have engaged meaningfully over time across multiple areas of theatre-making, both onstage and behind the scenes. The Diploma is accredited and overseen by the National School Theatre Awards (NSTA) and assessed against a clear national framework.

• Who is the Theatre Diploma for?

  The Diploma is open to pupils aged 11–18 who are actively involved in school productions, extra-curricular drama, youth theatre, part-time theatre schools, or community theatre linked to education. Home-educated pupils may also enter, provided their work is supervised and verified by a recognised theatre leader or educator. In reality most pupils will achieve the Diploma in Year 10-13 as it requires a certain level of sustained commitment in school theatre. 

• What does a pupil need to do to achieve the Diploma?

  To achieve the Theatre Diploma, a pupil must demonstrate meaningful, sustained involvement in three out of four recognised areas of contribution and complete a final reflection presentation. The four areas are Performance, Directing or Writing, Technical Theatre, and Community and Contribution. All work must be supervised and verified by a teacher or theatre leader.

• How much time does the Diploma involve?

  As a guide, pupils typically contribute around 25–30 hours in total, spread over time. This includes rehearsals, performances, technical work, leadership, volunteering, and preparation. The emphasis is on quality, consistency, and responsibility rather than clocking hours and these hours are a guide. 

• Does the Diploma require extra teaching or admin from schools?

  No. The Diploma is designed to recognise work pupils are already doing in school or youth theatre. There is no additional teaching requirement and minimal admin. Schools simply verify pupil involvement and submit a short reflection video via the online Diploma Portal.

• What is the reflection video?

  All pupils submit a 7–10 minute reflection video as part of their entry. The video replaces the need for written portfolios or logbooks and allows pupils to explain what they did, describe their role and responsibilities, reflect on skills developed and challenges faced, and show pride in their contribution to theatre. This presentation is a core part of the assessment.

• How is the Diploma assessed?

  Each submission is verified by the school or supervising theatre leader and reviewed by an NSTA Assessor against a structured national framework. Periodic quality checks are carried out to ensure consistency across schools.

• Is the Theatre Diploma a formal qualification?

  The Theatre Diploma does not carry UCAS points, as is the case with many creative arts diplomas and vocational awards. It sits alongside a wide range of respected programmes that recognise achievement outside formal examination frameworks. Instead, it provides powerful, credible evidence of a pupil’s long-term dedication to theatre and creative practice for future colleges, universities, and employers. The diploma is an externally reviewed recognition programme, comparable in structure and purpose to awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Each submission is assessed by an NSTA Assessor to ensure consistent national standards are met.

• Can one production count towards more than one area?

  Yes, but only where roles are clearly distinct and substantial. For example, a pupil who acted in a production and also took on a genuine technical or directing role may count these separately, provided each role involved meaningful responsibility and contribution. Minor or overlapping involvement will not be sufficient.

• Can curriculum-based work be included?

  Curriculum-based projects such as GCSE, BTEC, A Level, or LAMDA work may be included only if they involved a public performance, demonstrated independent work beyond routine classroom activity, and met the Diploma’s expectations for responsibility and commitment. Routine lesson activities alone will not meet the threshold.

• How does a school submit entries?

  All submissions are made digitally via the NSTA Diploma Portal. Schools submit a short online verification form and the pupil’s reflection video. Submissions are accepted at set points in the academic year, and results are confirmed within four school weeks.

• What does a pupil receive?

  Successful pupils receive official confirmation of the Theatre Diploma, a digital certificate recognising their achievement, and recognition through the National School Theatre Awards framework.

• What are the benefits of the Theatre Diploma?

  The Theatre Diploma supports drama school and arts course applications, sixth form or college applications, school leadership roles, and university or apprenticeship interviews. It demonstrates transferable skills including commitment, teamwork, creativity, leadership, communication, and time management.

• How much does the Theatre Diploma cost?

  The Theatre Diploma costs £125 per pupil. This fee covers external assessment by an NSTA Assessor, administration, digital certification, named in our NSTA programme and a Theatre Diploma accredited by the National School Theatre Awards®