FAQ: 12- and 18-Month Programmes

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 12-month program may receive scholarships up to €2,000. Those applying for the 18-month 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 12-Month Program is for beginners, focusing on building essential skills and confidence within a "safe space". The Final Project is a detailed Explanation Book (Director's Book). The 18-Month Program is for experienced directors, theatre-makers, and educators seeking structured, portfolio-based professional training. The final examination is Staging a Performance.

Upon successful completion, you receive a private professional document issued by NIPAI, confirming your participation in an intensive, structured training process, your completed practical work, and your total learning workload. Beyond the document itself, the core outcome of the program is the body of work you develop throughout the training. In the 12-month program, participants build a comprehensive Director’s Book (Explanation Book) - a detailed directing project that demonstrates their ability to analyse a play, structure a staging concept, and make clear artistic decisions. This becomes a foundational professional tool and a first substantial piece of directing work. In the 18-month program, participants develop and realise a full stage production, working through the entire directing process - from concept to rehearsal and presentation. This is supported by a portfolio of materials created throughout the program, reflecting both artistic development and practical experience. The programs are designed for different stages of practice: the 12-month track supports those who are entering or structuring their directing work, while the 18-month track is intended for experienced practitioners who want to deepen their artistic voice and consolidate their work through a complete directing process. The document you receive reflects this process - not as a formal academic qualification, but as a record of advanced professional training and completed artistic work, which can support applications for artistic projects, residencies, teaching, and further professional opportunities. NIPAI is a private provider of non-formal professional education. Its documents confirm professional training and do not constitute state-recognized academic degrees.

Both, 18-month and 12-month 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 is designed for advanced professionals and serves as a direct gateway to the professional stage. Key outcomes include: A formal professional document confirming your advanced training in theatre directing, the successful assessment of your practical work, and completion of the NIPAI program; Development of a strong professional portfolio, hands-on practical experience, and acquisition of industry-relevant technical skills; A culminating final examination in the form of staging a full performance; Access to NIPAI’s extensive international network of professionals and artists (available in both online and blended study formats). The program follows a practice-oriented “learning by doing” philosophy, where all skills are developed and refined through real-world projects.

The 12-Month Program 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 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 12-month program provides foundational directing skills for those beginning their professional journey or looking to enhance existing experience. 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.

At NIPAI, our methodology is built on developing concrete, applicable skills rather than passive theoretical study. The Distance and Blended formats are structured to deliver genuine practical training that mirrors the realities of professional theatre work. How the hands-on component works in practice: Each module provides a specific directing or choreography task (for example, scene analysis, blocking, work with actors, composition, or rehearsal planning). You apply the task directly to a play or project of your choice and submit the results - usually in the form of written director’s notes, diagrams, video recordings of rehearsals or etudes, or staged fragments. Tutors review your work and give detailed, individual feedback, just as a senior director or mentor would in a professional setting. Assignments are designed to replicate actual theatre production steps: breaking down a text, developing a directorial concept, planning rehearsals, solving staging problems, and documenting your process. This builds the same decision-making and organisational skills required when working with a real company. You regularly record yourself working with actors (friends, colleagues, or local amateur groups), rehearsing scenes, or testing blocking ideas. These recordings become the basis for tutor feedback and self-reflection. Many students use this to develop material that they later incorporate into their own productions. The 18-month program culminates in staging a full performance (the Graduation Performance). You develop, rehearse, and present this production with a theatre group or company in your own city or country. The Distance/Blended format allows you to do the preparation and conceptual work remotely while carrying out the actual rehearsals locally. You receive one-to-one feedback from experienced tutors throughout the course. In the Blended option, you also have the opportunity for short in-person sessions or masterclasses. Additionally, you gain access to NIPAI’s international community of directors, choreographers, and artists, which can lead to future collaborations. Real advantages of this format: You can continue working or living in your own city/country while receiving structured professional training. You immediately apply new skills to your current or future local projects instead of waiting until the end of the program. The flexibility allows you to balance studies with professional or personal commitments. Feedback is focused on your individual artistic approach and the specific context in which you work. By the end of the program, you have a portfolio of concrete directing materials and a completed production (in longer programs), which are directly usable in your professional career. This approach ensures that the “learning by doing” philosophy remains central, even at a distance. The emphasis is always on producing tangible results that you can test and refine in real artistic practice. If you have any questions about how this would work with your current schedule or local opportunities, we would be happy to discuss them in more detail.

The New International Performing Arts Institute offers flexible enrollment periods depending on the program duration: 1. Long-Term Programs (18-Month and 12-Month) 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 18-month or 12-month 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.