Which is Better for Acting - NSD or FTII? Courses Offered, Famous Alumni, Career Opportunities

Don’t know which acting institute is better, NSD or FTII? Worry not, Shiksha here has made this task easy for you. Check out this article and compare the admission process, courses offered, tuition fee, and career scope of NSD and FTII to help you make an informed decision.

Which is Better: NSD or FTII?

Which is better for acting: NSD or FTII? Choosing the right acting school can be one of the biggest decisions for anyone dreaming of a career in the theatre or film industry. The National School of Drama and Film and Television Institute of India are two of the best acting institutes in India. Candidates unsure between these institutions should make a pro and con list and compare them based on the different parameters. Some of the major parameters include admission process, course, fees, and career opportunities.

Check out this page to know which acting school is better between NSD and FTII. Additionally, find a list of NSD famous alumni and FTII famous alumni to know which of your favorite celebrities in the film and theatre industry are from these institutes.

National School of Drama (NSD)

The National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi, is one of India’s best institutes for theatre and acting. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959 and became an independent organization in 1975.

NSD offers one full-time PG Diploma course in Dramatic Arts. The course duration for the same is 3 years. The institute offers 27 seats for admission in this course, making it highly competitive among students. The course fee for PG Diploma in Dramatic Arts is INR 5,730.

The National School of Drama ensures that students learn through practice. Therefore, their course structure not only includes theoretical study of acting, they also allows students to produce and perform plays in front of live audiences, giving them real theatre experience. The facilities at the NSD campus are perfect for training. Additionally, many famous actors and directors in India are alumni of NSD.

Also Read: Difference Between Theatre, Television, and Film Actors: Skills, Courses

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)

The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, is one of India’s top institutes for building a career in film and media. It is a private institute, established in 1960 on the historic Prabhat Studio campus, which was earlier declared a heritage site by the Pune Municipal Corporation, and is still used by students. The institute is accredited by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).

FTII offers a wide range of PG Diploma and Certificate courses in the Film and Television Wing in multiple specializations, including cinematography, sound design, script writing, acting, direction, and editing. The institute offers 120 seats for admission to the offered courses. The course fees at FTII range from ₹ 96.63 K - 1.45 L for PG Diploma courses and ₹ 48.31 K - 1.45 L for certificate courses.

The Film and Television Institute of India is a member of CILECT, a global network of leading film schools. Students at FTII get the opportunity to train with modern equipment, explore creative storytelling, and learn directly on sets and studios. Many famous filmmakers, actors, and technicians in India have graduated from FTII.

Also Read:

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• Screenwriter VS Scriptwriter

NSD vs FTII – Key Differences

Before deciding which institute is better for acting between NSD and FTII, students must know how these institutes are different from one another to measure their pros and cons.

Which is Better for Acting - NSD or FTII?

Both the National School of Drama and the Film & Television Institute of India have their own perks and benefits. Choosing the best acting school in India from these two depends on the career prospects of the student. Both institutes are prestigious and help students build a career in acting.

Let’s discuss their strengths and understand what career can be built from these two institutes:

Strengths of NSD & FTII

• NSD provides robust theatre education, along with practical stage training, movement, and voice.
• FTII offers a broader skill set to students. The courses offered by FTII educate students about acting with a combination of technical film and TV production.

Best for (Career Goals)

• NSD is best for a career in serious theatre work or stage-focused acting careers.
• FTII is best for a career in screenwriting, filmmaking, or the technical side of media production.

Hence, before deciding where to study, students must first identify their goal. If they want to enter the world of theatre and stage, NSD is perfect; and if they want to build a career in the film and TV profession, FTII is the best choice.

Know About: Acting in Film & TV colleges in India

Courses Offered by NSD

The National School of Drama offers admission to the following courses:

• Modern Indian Drama
• Voice & Speech
• Classical Indian Drama
• World Drama
• Theatre Music
• Yoga
• Mime and Movement

Also Read: NSD Entrance Test

Courses Offered by FTII

The Film & Television Institute of India offers admission to courses in two different wings: Television Wing & Film Wing. Below is the list of courses offered by FTII:

Courses Offered in TV Wing:

• Direction
• Video Editing
• Electronic Cinematography
• Sound Recording & Television Engineering

Courses Offered in Film Wing:

• Direction & Screenplay Writing
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound Recording & Sound Design
• Art Direction & Production Design
• Screen Acting
• Screenwriting (Film, TV & Web Series)

Also Read: FTII JET Entrance Test

Notable Alumni of FTII

Some of the top celebrities who are notable alumni of the Film & Television Institute of India are mentioned in the table below:

Notable Alumni of NSD

Check out the table to know which famous celebrity is an alumnus of the National School of Drama:

Also Read:

• Film Making Course: Admission 2025, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Career Scope
• Job Opportunities after Film Making Courses in India: Eligibility, Skills, Top Colleges

Job Options After NSD and FTII

After pursuing the desired course from the National School of Drama or the Film & Television Institute of India, students can make a career in the following job profiles:

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