Where Did Alicia Vikander Go To College?
Alicia Vikander is one of the most acclaimed and sought-after actresses of her generation. She has taken Hollywood by storm over the past decade, showcasing her incredible acting talents and quickly rising to the height of movie stardom.
However, before Alicia Vikander ever graced the big screen, she pursued rigorous training as a performer, including her time in higher education. So where exactly did this award-winning actress from Sweden go to pursue her path in college?
Where did Alicia Vikander go to high school?
Before her college years, Alicia Vikander embarked on an intensive training in the arts, even starting as a young high school student. She attended the renowned Södra Latin School in her hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Södra Latin School is an advanced secondary school focused on education in the arts, providing a competitive atmosphere and innovative curriculum geared towards creative professions. While attending Södra Latin High School from age 16-19, Vikander intensively studied various art forms, while continuing to act in performances across Sweden.
This college-preparatory high school gave Vikander a rigorous arts education to build the skills necessary for advancing her talents in the creative realm. It paved the way for her eventual higher education experiences in the dramatic arts that would polish her craft and transition her into a professional film and theater career.
Where did Alicia Vikander study dance and acting?
While Alicia Vikander is now primarily known as an award-winning film and tv actress, she originally dreamed of becoming a professional dancer after leaving high school. To pursue this passion, Vikander studied for three years at the prestigious GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, the contemporary dance institution connected to the Gothenburg Opera House.
Starting at age 16, Vikander attended rigorous contemporary dance training at this highly competitive school. She immersed herself fully in developing her skill in movement, spending up to 35 hours a week in rehearsals, while also performing in acclaimed productions by artists like Mats Ek and Angelin Preljocaj.
In 2009, a series of injuries forced Vikander to re-evaluate her career path and led her towards a transition into professional acting. She moved to London and was accepted into the acting program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), an extremely selective university focused on dramatic performance training.
Where did Alicia Vikander attend university?
The royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London became Alicia Vikander’s primary place of formal higher education for acting. Established in 1904, RADA is one of the most prestigious acting schools in the world, providing intensive conservatory training for those passionate about the dramatic arts. Their alumni include such icons as Anthony Hopkins, Diana Rigg, Ralph Fiennes, and many others.
For her 3 years at RADA from 2009-2012, Vikander was fully immersed in focusing on her craft through advanced acting techniques. The curriculum included training in stage, film, and television performance, movement training, voice production, classical works, improvisation, and all facets of honing an actor’s abilities.
The incredible talent and work ethic displayed by Vikander at RADA accelerated her transition into professional acting. Even before she graduated in 2012, Vikander already acquired leading roles in award-winning Swedish films and stage productions. Her RADA training gave her the skills she needed to immediately begin her quick ascent to becoming one of Europe and Hollywood’s most acclaimed young actresses.
What degree does Alicia Vikander have?
While Alicia Vikander spent years extremely invested in intensive education at some of the most prestigious performing arts schools in Scandinavia and Britain, she did not complete a traditional bachelor’s or advanced degree.
Rather than striving towards a specific diploma or credentials as an end goal, Vikander prioritized attending these schools for the unparalleled experience they provided to accelerate her development as an actress through rigorous practical training.
Vikander never attended a typical academic college or university geared towards undergraduate degrees of study. Her goal was to gain real-world skills through as much hands-on training and stage experience as possible from the beginning of her acting journey.
Attending the conservatory programs at GöteborgsOperans Danskompani and RADA were chosen specifically for immersive education in her craft through long hours of acting, movement, and voice work in both classes and performances.
While Vikander does not hold any particular certificates or diplomas from her years studying the dramatic arts, the proof of these schools’ impact shows through her meteoric career achievements so early on.
The techniques she honed through her specialized education shaped Vikander into the skilled performer visible through all her acclaimed roles on international screens.
What awards did Alicia Vikander win for acting?
Alicia Vikander has already won the acting profession’s most prestigious honors in an incredibly short period of time since transitioning into the career full-time. Although she only graduated from RADA in 2012, her intense prior training and stellar performances right out the gate quickly gained mass recognition through these awards:
- 2013 Guldbagge Award – Vikander won this Swedish film award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her first major starring turn in the 2012 film “A Royal Affair”.
- 2015 Empire Award – Vikander’s breakout year winning the Best Female Newcomer award after critically hailed performances in “Ex Machina” and “The Danish Girl”.
- 2016 Academy Award Oscar – Vikander achieved what few do, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Danish Girl” at just age 26.
- 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards – Also received the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role award for “The Danish Girl”.
In the years since this award-winning streak, Vikander has been continuously nominated through her varied and intense acting roles. Most recently in 2021, she was nominated for an Emmy for her gripping performance as the lead role in the television series “The Green Knight”. Vikander continues to showcase her dedication to her craft through the compelling skill visible across all her acclaimed performances since embarking on this career.
What are the best films and shows Alicia Vikander has starred in?
Alicia Vikander has displayed her immense acting talents across critically-acclaimed movies and television series. Some highlights of her most notable roles in films and shows include:
Feature Films
- A Royal Affair (2012) – Vikander’s breakout role as Queen Caroline Matilda gained international recognition through her emotive and nuanced performance.
- Ex Machina (2014) – Portrayed the strikingly intense role of an advanced AI named Ava and the impact on those she encounters.
- The Danish Girl (2015) – Her transformative portrayal of painter Gerda Wegener gained Vikander her Academy Award win.
- Tomb Raider (2018) – Vikander took on the iconic adventure franchise role of Lara Croft, showcasing striking athleticism.
Television Series
- And Then There Were None (2015) – Gave an intricately layered performance as one of ten mysterious strangers trapped together on an island.
- The Green Knight (2021) – Displayed solo acting skill for nearly the full runtime as The Lady, garnering an Emmy nomination.
Vikander has also shown her versatility through eclectic supporting and voice acting roles in films like Jason Bourne (2016), Irma Vep (2022), and the HBO series Catherine the Great (2019). As she continues achieving success, audiences anticipate what engaging work she’ll take on next.
What unique life experiences did Alicia Vikander draw from for acting?
In addition to rigorous formal education at leading dramatic arts schools, Alicia Vikander arrived onto the acting scene with rich and eclectic life experiences that influence her conviction in roles. Growing up in Gothenburg Sweden, some of these unique perspectives include:
- Extensive travel across Europe and beyond from a young age.
- Bilingual upbringing gaining fluency in both Swedish and English.
- Training as a ballet dancer through her early teenage years.
- Passion for creative expression across dance, music, writing, and visual arts.
- Close relationships with actors and performers in her family.
- Coming of age in Sweden’s open, progressive culture.
Vikander often speaks of how profoundly her intensive dance background impacted her acting, ingraining discipline through a dancer’s constant mindfulness of physical expression and body movement. She also credits growing up guided by strong female role models from previous generations of her family who pushed boundaries in their professional fields.
Traveling widely during summers brought exposure to diverse cultures and global perspectives Vikander seamlessly taps into for emotionally resonate characters. Combined with rigorous training at Sweden and England’s top acting academies, these influences empower Vikander’s ability to compellingly inhabit all manner of roles.
What other awards and honors has Alicia Vikander received?
Alicia Vikander’s quick ascent into the elite of film acting over the past decade has justifiably gained her acclaim through these additional high honors:
- Listed in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World (2016)
- Named in Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 List (2016)
- Selected for a British Academy Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year (2016)
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018 at age 29, making Vikander the fastest European actress ever to be immortalized.
- Voted Best Dressed Woman of 2018 by Vanity Fair France.
- Named a Louis Vuitton brand ambassador starting 2018, appearing as the face of several luxury ad campaigns shot by famed photographer Patrick Demarchelier.
Vikander’s impressive achievements in the profession at such a young age showcase her prodigious talents cultivated through unique life experiences and world-class dramatic arts education.
As she expands beyond acting into writing, producing and directing, her multifaceted skills and vision ensure Vikander’s rightful place as a powerhouse in 21st century entertainment certain to leave an indelible mark.
Table 1. Levels of Education Pursued by Alicia Vikander
| Years Attended | Institution | Area of Study |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-2007 | Södra Latin High School (Gothenburg, Sweden) | Advanced Secondary School w/ Focus on the Arts |
| 2007-2009 | Gothenburg Opera Dance Company | Classical & Contemporary Dance |
| 2009-2012 | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London) | Acting for Theatre, Film & Television |
Conclusion
In summary, Alicia Vikander gained renown as one of the most skilled performers of her generation through natural talent cultivated by diverse life experiences and competitive dramatic training. Rather than pursuing traditional higher education, Vikander prioritized rigorous practical schooling in dance and acting to accelerate developing her craft.
Starting intense performing arts education in high school at Sweden’s prestigious Södra Latin School, Vikander seamlessly transitioned into demanding classical dance training at the Gothenburg Ballet Institution for three years.
After injuries derailed her dance career, Vikander found even greater life purpose pursuing her parallel passion for acting full-time. She moved to London in 2009 to attend the highly selective Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) university, completing her 3-year conservatory acting training in 2012.
Equipped with unparalleled technique from RADA, Vikander burst onto screens in award-winning roles right out of school, winning an Oscar by 2016. While she does not hold any specific degrees, the real-world performing skills Vikander honed through these competitive programs proved the highest quality training to showcase her talents to the world. Going forward, Vikander’s education and dedication to her craft promises that this uniquely gifted Swedish star’s bright future in entertainment remains boundless.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alicia Vikander’s Education and Career
Where did Alicia Vikander attend elementary school?
Alicia Vikander was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden. She attended elementary school at her local public schools in Gothenburg.
What dance training did Alicia Vikander have other than the Gothenburg Opera?
From ages 9-15, Vikander studied ballet at the Svenska Balettskolan i Göteborg (Swedish Ballet School in Gothenburg). She then danced at the Gothenburg Opera from 16-19 years old while concurrently attending high school.
Has Alicia Vikander starred in any Swedish films or TV shows?
Yes, Vikander had major roles in acclaimed Swedish films even prior to her international breakthroughs. Some Swedish projects include the feature films Pure (2010) and Hotell (2013), along with starring in the Swedish TV series Andra Avenyn (2007-2008).
What theatre performances has Alicia Vikander acted in?
During her years at RADA Vikander performed in plays like Strindberg’s Miss Julie and Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. She also starred to great acclaim in the 2012 revival of Henrik Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea in Oslo, Norway after graduating.
Has Alicia Vikander ever been married?
Yes, Vikander married actor Michael Fassbender in 2017 after they met during filming of The Light Between Two Oceans. The award-winning actors keep their relationship very private.