Nathan Batchu

A career in acting wasn’t always on the cards for Nathan Batchu. A change of heart after school led him to NESCol and two years later, he’s been accepted to continue his acting training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).

Nineteen-year-old Nathan was a talented footballer who hoped to play professionally once he left Bridge of Don Academy.

He said: “I lost my passion for playing football and apart from PE, drama was the only subject at school that I really liked.”

Being an Aberdonian, NESCol was Nathan’s local college and he felt more comfortable staying at home to study. In 2022, he enrolled on the HND Acting & Performance course.

“The best thing about the course for me has been the full range of acting styles that you’re taught.

“The lecturers at NESCol are incredible and have a level of professionalism where they keep it friendly but prepare you for the real world of acting.”

Nathan applied for the BA Acting degree programme at the RCS, one of the world’s top 10 performing arts institutions. After an intensive audition process with 1,600 applicants, Nathan found out he was one of the 26 accepted onto the course, alongside classmate, Fraser Thomson.

“I can’t wait for the next stage of my journey at the RCS. It’s such a prestigious school and Glasgow is a great location for the performing arts.

“Auditioning for the programme was a good experience – I kept telling myself that whatever happened, it was a fantastic learning opportunity. The staff understand that you’re nervous and you’re given plenty of time to warm-up.”

Hannah MacBeth, Lecturer in Acting & Performance at NESCol, said: “After the first year of his HND, something clicked for Nathan. He is incredibly dedicated and truthful on stage – he has this air of honesty about him when he’s performing which is really special. He connects so well with the characters he plays, and his castmates, audiences really buy into his performances.”

Looking ahead to his future career, Nathan would like to secure professional representation and dip his toes in both stage and screen acting.

He said: “I’ve always loved the theatre; screen is more of subtle style of acting while theatre needs more energy. However, I’d like to get involved with both throughout my career.”

His advice for those considering studying acting is to give it your all.

Nathan said: “My lecturers helped me turn it around in second year. I think in first year I didn’t understand that to succeed in acting you have to give it one hundred percent. There are no half measures in this industry! Acting is something you need to put your heart and soul into, and you need to have the mentality where you’re ready to dedicate your life to it.”