Taj Atwal. Actress.
Graduated 2007

After graduating from the National Diploma Acting in 2007, Taj Atwal headed to London to study for a career in acting. She’s been treading the boards ever since.

“York College have been so supportive and encouraging. Through some of the most difficult times in my life the student services' team guided me in the right direction and pushed me to reach my potential, at the same time allowing me to make mistakes so I could learn from them.

“When my tutors realised my potential in acting they suggested I apply to a drama school to continue my training. I had no idea what a drama school was and never thought I would gain a place at one of the top leading institutes! I would not have been in a position to do this without the funding York College gave me. They paid for all my audition fees, my travel and accommodation expenses for every school I applied to.

“And their support didn't end there. I was living independently at the age of 16 and sometimes struggled to cope. York College put me in touch with student services where I received weekly support from my tutors. This provided me with emotional support and any problem I had in and out of York College to ensure I maintained a healthy balanced lifestyle whilst studying.

“I received a double distinction and merit in Acting and a distinction in dance grades I never thought I could achieve! York College let me grow as an adult by allowing for mistakes and guiding me towards a better future.

Since graduating this year with a BA(Hons) 2:1 I went straight into playing the leading actress in a classical piece, Don Juan in Love and Mole in Toad Hall in The Scoop Open Air theatre in London.

“I'm now about to go on to play Puss in the Christmas musical Puss in Boots at the Guildhall theatre! Being a working actress is something I worked hard for and dreamed of becoming my whole life. York College was the biggest stepping stone to my success and for this I credit them highly.”

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