Niamh Blackman has swapped a future law career to pursue her acting ambitions.
The 19-year-old will start a Bachelor of Arts at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London later this year after securing one of 15 places from 4000 international applicants.
The Tauranga teenager said she was "blown away" by the news.
"I really enjoyed doing the law degree but it made me realise I needed to follow my passion. I am going to give acting my best shot and I am very, very excited."
She credits a family trip to England as a 5-year-old and watching Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous musical Cats in the West End for capturing her interest.