Being an acting student at The Lir theatre at Trinity is completely different to being a student on other drama courses. While students of degree courses in drama might be in taught classes for approximately 14 hours per week, students at The Lir Academy can expect to be in classes, workshops and rehearsals on average for 35 hours per week, and sometimes more when in production. Training for the theatre at The Lir Academy is founded on the basic principle of simulating the working environment of a professional theatre.

The teaching is intense and offers a high degree of individual tuition. Acting students are expected to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to cope with the physical demands and stamina required by the training.

While the course offers the possibility to meet theatre practitioners on a regular and ongoing basis, as well as the possibility to tour theatres and recording studios, students are encouraged and expected to widen and deepen their knowledge of the contemporary theatre scene by attending professional performances and related events. Being connected to the professional theatre scene, right from the beginning of training, is a crucial part of the student experience.