FAQs: Your Investment, Professional Qualification, and Career Outcomes
Diploma & Certificate Programs
The investment varies by program and qualification level. Contact us at info@nipai.org to receive a consultation with our program manager about tuition costs and which program would be the best fit for you
Yes. NIPAI offers partial scholarships designed to make the professional qualification more accessible (addressing the financial barrier). Students applying for the Certificate may receive scholarships up to €2,000. Those applying for the Diploma program, which is positioned as a long-term professional investment, may receive significant financial support up to €6,000.
Specific deadlines are announced regularly. To find out details and deadlines, and whether you are eligible for a partial scholarship at NIPAI, contact our program manager at info@nipai.org.
The programs target different audiences: The Certificate is for beginners, focusing on building essential skills and confidence within a "safe space". The Final Project is a detailed Explanation Book. The Diploma is for advanced professionals, resulting in a Professional Qualification. The final examination is Staging a Performance.
Yes, upon completing the 18-Month Diploma program, you will receive a diploma confirming your professional qualification as a Theatre Director.
This qualification is central to the program's value proposition and is specifically designed for experienced practitioners seeking a significant return on investment (ROI) and accelerated career advancement.
How the qualification is validated:
1. Your qualification is validated through intense practice-oriented learning (learning by doing) and culminates in the final examination: Staging a Performance.
2. This diploma serves as a gateway to the professional stage. For advanced specialists, education is viewed as an investment, and our program provides value through the acquisition of specialized skills and access to an international network of professionals.
3. We address the high investment cost by offering partial scholarships up to €6,000, making this professional qualification a more financially feasible investment.
The program provides the necessary credentials and a strong portfolio to launch a career, aligning with the practical mindset of students who seek concrete, tangible results.
Both certificate and diploma programs utilize a flexible distance and blended learning concept, as NIPAI students are located around the world in different time zones. This helps balance studies, professional commitments, and personal life.
Distance learning includes a modern remote education platform and an extensive knowledge library for NIPAI students. The distance format involves practical work with real scripts that students choose to work on. Instructors guide each student individually through the learning process with their selected play.
Blended learning includes everything in the distance format plus in-class practical sessions focused on hands-on training and collaborative work.
The intensive program, designed for advanced professionals, serves as a gateway to the professional stage. Key outcomes include:
- A diploma that confirms professional status in the industry.
- Development of a portfolio, practical experience, and acquisition of technical skills relevant to the industry.
- The culminating final examination is the Staging a Performance.
- Networking: Connection with NIPAI's international network of professionals and artists.
The program utilizes a practice-oriented, "learning by doing" philosophy where skills are applied through real-world projects.
The Certificate focuses on providing you with essential directing skills and confidence for real-life application through "learning by doing". Your final project is a detailed 'Explanation Book', which is a key tool for communicating your vision to performers. You will graduate with the skills necessary to take on technical and creative roles.
We emphasize practical learning for real-life application. Graduates develop the skills and portfolio needed to work professionally in theatre directing.
Our student success stories demonstrate the program's impact:
Cody Ganger transitioned from community theatre to becoming a College Theatre Professor. Following the distance diploma program, Cody directed increasingly ambitious projects including Mary Zimmerman's 'Metamorphoses' (requiring a pool onstage) and a bold reinterpretation of Hamlet featuring extensive live-feed video.
Mike Savuica, a diploma graduate, has completed 50+ projects including 9 international productions by age 28. His work has been presented in Mexico, Korea, Belgium, Spain, Romania, U.K., Germany, Austria, Poland, Egypt, Philippines, Armenia, and India. He is currently an assistant professor at the Hyperion University of Bucharest and founded Monolog Slam Romania and Unfortunate Thespians. His graduation project won multiple festival awards including Best Show at Hyperfest 2022.
You can explore more student reviews and testimonials on our website.
We emphasize practical learning for real-life application. The certificate program provides foundational directing skills for those beginning their professional journey or looking to enhance existing experience.
Certificate graduates gain practical tools for directing productions, developing their artistic voice, and understanding theatrical processes. The program serves as preparation for professional directing work or further study in the diploma program.
Our student success stories demonstrate how NIPAI training translates into real-world directing opportunities across various theatrical contexts.
The NIPAI methodology is centered on providing you with concrete practical skills for real-life application. Our Distance & Blended learning model focuses on immersive, practical assignments that intentionally simulate the backstage reality of professional theatre. Instead of relying solely on theoretical lectures, we require you to engage actively in "learning by doing" projects. This approach is designed to:
1. Maximize Skill Acquisition.
2. Build Confidence.
3. Provide Personalized Guidance.
The New International Performing Arts Institute offers flexible enrollment periods depending on the program duration:
1. Long-Term Programs (18-Month Diploma and 12-Month Certificate)
These programs are offered with two main intakes per year:
• October (for the Autumn semester).
• April (for the Spring semester).
2. Short Courses (3-Month Programs)
Enrollment for the 3-month courses, such as "The Director and Play", "Ensemble Building Program" or "Choreography & Blocking in Performance", opens every month.
3. Specialized Programs
Specialized programs, such as the 3-month "Digital Presence for Performing Artists", typically offer four intakes per year (Winter, Spring, Autumn, and Summer)
Contact us at info@nipai.org to receive a consultation with our program manager.
Entry requirements vary depending on the program level and format. Each program has specific prerequisites designed to ensure students are prepared for the coursework and can benefit fully from the training.
To view the detailed entry requirements for different programs, visit here.
For personalized guidance on which program best suits your background and goals, contact us at info@nipai.org.
Yes. Students who successfully complete the 3-month distance course can transfer to the diploma or certificate program and are eligible to receive a tuition credit toward the longer program.
This pathway allows you to build on your existing knowledge and continue developing your skills without starting from the beginning. For specific details about the transfer process and tuition credit amount, contact us at info@nipai.org.
For individual applicants, the following payment options are available:
Option 1: Tuition fee paid in one installment
Option 2: Tuition fee paid in two installments
Option 3: Tuition fee paid in three installments
Once admitted to NIPAI, students must pay a deposit to secure their place in the program. The deposit amount varies depending on the program. Contact our program manager at info@nipai.org for a consultation regarding payment details and options.
We strive to ensure that the majority of required course materials are available through our digital library, which you can access with your student account. However, depending on your chosen modules and research interests, you may need to purchase some books independently.
For blended learning programs, costs for travel, accommodation, meals, and other personal expenses during in-class sessions are not included in the tuition fee.
All programs are conducted in English. Upon request, programs may be available in other languages. For more information about language options, contact our program manager at info@nipai.org.
We have many alumni who are happy to share their experiences at NIPAI. You can explore student success stories and testimonials on our reviews page, where graduates discuss how the program developed their practical skills and advanced their careers.
If you would like to connect directly with an alumnus, contact our admissions office at info@nipai.org, and we will facilitate an introduction.
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about NIPAI's diploma and certificate programs. We cover learning formats, enrollment deadlines, tuition, student requirements, and the graduation project. If you have any remaining questions, contact us at info@nipai.org.