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Introduction
Our Acting programme has been designed to provide you with the performance, technical, creative, and professional skills relevant to working in the performance and creative industries. The programme is highly practical and industry-focused, with a multi-skilled approach that includes the development of a variety of performance styles, such as scripted characterisation, improvisation and acting for the screen. There is also a strong emphasis on creative collaboration across the Performing Arts portfolio.
The programme is vocational in nature, reflecting current trends within the creative industries.
Focus is placed on nurturing and training professional practitioners and developing your in-depth knowledge and understanding of current working practices within the creative industries. This is achieved through a variety of skillsbased modulesand by working with industry professionals throughout the programme.
You will develop the ability to work independently and to convey personal expression and imagination through practical workshops and rehearsal room processes, employing appropriate acting, performance, creative and making skills.
The skills and training embedded in the programme will equip you for a portfolio career in performance, self-employment and entrepreneurship. These skills are transferable to many other areas of industry, such as producing, media development and project management. You will also gain practical skills in teaching and workshop leading.
Why choose this course?
• Assessments are focused on practical skills – no written exams or dissertations.
• Learn from, and collaborate with experienced, fully trained professionals who have worked on stage, TV and film – gaining connections along the way.
• Explore different genres from contemporary writers to the absurd and Shakespeare.
• Work with other students to create artistic pieces.
• Study abroad available in the US.
• 100% of UWTSD’s Acting students agreed that staff have made the subject interesting — National Student Survey 2022.
Overview
The first year of the Acting (BA) programme concentrates on development of the basic blocks of any actor's training: Movement, Musical Performance, Improvisation and Acting, as well as developing study and collaborative skills.
The second year builds on these techniques, as we practically explore how these skills are applied to different areas of work, such as performing Shakespeare, contemporary plays and acting on screen.
The final year concentrates on applying training to a professional rehearsal setting as you perform in public productions. You will develop your skills in small scale projects as well as a major interdisciplinary production and also a site-specific/studio theatre production.
Exposure to these types of processes, along with an Independent project module, is your opportunity to explore your specific career path and will prepare you for your entry into the creative industries and beyond.
Throughout the course, students are supported by tutors and industry professionals as they build their confidence, techniques and cultivate their creativity as collaborators and performers.
Modules
Year One - Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)
• Acting (20 credits; compulsory)
• Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Improvising and Devising (20 credits; compulsory)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Musical Performance (20 credits; compulsory)
• Personal Project (20 credits; optional*)
• Voice and Movement (20 credits; compulsory).
Year Two - Level 5 (Dip HE & BA)
• Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Drama and Theatre in Education (20 credits; optional***)
• International Study Abroad (20 credits; optional**)
• Performing Shakespeare (20 credits; compulsory)
• Personal Project (20 credits; optional*)
• Script, Rehearsal & Performance (20 credits; compulsory)
• Short Film Production (20 credits; compulsory)
• Specialised Performance Practice (20 credits; optional***)
• Work Placement (20 credits; optional**).
Year Three - Level 6 (BA)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Individual Project (20 credits; optional*)
• International Independent Study Abroad (60 credits; optional**)
• Major Project (30 credits; compulsory)
• Personal Project (30 credits; optional*)
• Professional Practice (20 credits; compulsory)
• Site-Specific Theatre (30 credits; compulsory)
• Work Placement (30 credits; optional**).
*This optional module is designed to offer students a retrieval position where the collaborative tasks specified in a particular module make it impossible for those learning outcomes to be met, such as where there are extenuating circumstances or a failure.
**This is an optional work placement/international study module. Where this option is selected through consultation with student and module tutor, up to two compulsory modules can be replaced.
***Students choose between Drama/Theatre and Education OR Specialised Performance Practice at Level 5 in Semester 2.
Entry Criteria
Entry is based on individual merit and 64 UCAS Points.
Once an application has been made you will be invited by the Programme Manager to audition and interview for the course.
The audition:
This can be completed either in person on campus (Covid regulations dependent),by emailing a pre-recorded 'Self-Tape' or in person via a video conferencing platform. (eg Zoom or Teams)
Your audition speech (one speech) needs to between 1 and 2 mins long. It can be from any play of your own choosing.
The interview:
Arrangements will be made for you to either visit the campus for an in person interview/workshop (Covid regulations dependent) or we can organise an interview via a video conferencing platform. (eg Zoom or Teams)
Offers will only be made after successfully completing an audition and interview.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
Performances/Events
Students regularly have opportunities to take part in performances/events, through which we can see growth and application of skills and knowledge.
Regular tutorials
We hold formal, and informal, tutorials throughout the degree. Each student can discuss their work with the module tutor or Programme Manager during tutorials. We look at practical development, conceptual growth and future intentions.
Presentations
Presentations normally take place at the end of a module, exhibition or performance, in order to measure a student’s performance against assessment criteria.
Process workbooks
At level 4 & 5, students will document their process and practical work in a workbook which demonstrates their learning and individual pathway. At level 6, students write about and reflect on their practice and process in short written tasks and practical presentations.
During this course, students may be required to explore texts containing themes and issues that might be perceived as challenging.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers and further study, including:
• Acting – theatre, TV & Film
• Corporation role play & training
• Applied drama
• Education
• Postgraduate study/research
• Voiceover & narration
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