Acting BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    W410

  • Level

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 years

  • Starting

    September

  • BBC at A-Level or,
    DDM at BTEC

  • Fees UK 24/25

    Full Time : £9,250

  • Fees International 24/25

    Full Time: £15,200

  • Location

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


Entering the Acting profession as a working stage and screen actor requires high-level skills and knowledge, which the Acting BA (Hons) degree at the University of Northampton is designed to help you develop.

You’ll spend 30 hours per week for 30 weeks in practical training, showing your dedication and commitment to the Acting course, which is recognised by both Equity and Spotlight, ensuring that the training provided is relevant, current and of an excellent industry level standard.

We follow the ethos of craft, artistry and performance application while encouraging the continual journey of self-discovery, curiosity and the employment of your imagination in truthful characterisations.

Updated 18/03/2024

Highlights


Course Content


  • This Acting course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

    SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

    All three years on Acting BA (Hons) degree have the core acting, vocal and movement pathways central to them; Year 1 tackles key concepts and core skills and equips you with the fundamental tools you need to be successful in the industry. Year 2 introduces new skills such as acting for TV, Film and Radio alongside beginning to hone your artistry and apply the craft you learned in Year 1 towards public performances.

    The final year will see you further develop your artistry with more autonomy as you define your artistic identity and take part in 5 different performance projects with professional directors, culminating in the opportunity to be part of a final showcase* at a London theatre with an invited industry audience. We always strive to produce artists who contribute meaningfully to the industry whilst moving the craft of acting forwards.

    The first stage of your studies focuses on the fundamental craft of acting, vocal and movement techniques including; character analysis, scoring the text, improvisation, Estill voice training (only one of 9 institutions in the world with accreditation), singing, pure movement, animal study and stage combat.

    Year 1

    In Year 1 of BA Acting, you have the opportunity to gain certification both in stage combat with the APC (Academy of Performance Combat), recognised by Equity, and Estill voice training which can be added to your Spotlight CV, putting you a cut above the rest. You will be involved in one main production and small studio-based performance tasks throughout the year.

    Year 2

    Stage two develops your performance range and artistry, including acting for the camera and radio, including voice-overs for commercials and animation and radio dramas. In addition, you will deepen your core acting, vocal and movement strands in exploration of; movement psychology, classical acting techniques, accent and dialect work, rhetoric skills, mask work and further pure movement skills, acting through song and you will continue your stage combat classes in which you will have the opportunity to take a higher level certification. You will perform in a public Shakespeare performance which will be professionally directed at the end of the year.

    Year 3

    The final stage begins with refining your core skills and supplementing them further with guidance in how to write and produce your own work with the opportunity to take it to a professional fringe festival*. You will learn the nuancing of multi-rolling through vocal and movement skills to truly embody multiple characters. From here you switch from studying acting to preparing for all aspects of employment. You will perform in 5 performances throughout the year including forming your own theatre company as part of the annual Flash Theatre Festival. We will teach the key aspects on preparing for life as a professional actor; acting CV, headshot, showreel, self-taping, website, and meetings with professional agents and casting directors.

    At the end of the Acting course, you may be invited to perform at our London Showcase in front of agents and other key industry representatives.

    *by invitation only

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

      • Module code: ACT1002
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to develop an actor?s core vocal skills both technically and artistically. It's a blend of practical and critical analysis of voicework and designed to allow the voice to release the actor and their creativity. Students learn to use their voice safely, appropriately and artistically.
      • Module code: ACT1004
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is provide a basic introduction to actors body and movement training. Students will be led through a programme of movement training that focuses on physical health, strength, awareness and neutrality. These will culminate in a creative exploration in performance.
      • Module code: ACT1005
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to provide a foundation in the study of theatre and performance history and theory, especially in relation to the craft of acting. The module will develop students' skills in theories and analysis of performance and the relationship between theory and practice.
      • Module code: ACT1017
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to explore the body and voice together as one expressive and creative tool. The module provides students with the opportunity to explore some of the basic elements of actor training which are necessary to master before the craft can be developed further.
      • Module code: ACT1018
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to explore the skills and techniques of improvisation when working with extant or devised scripts.
      • Module code: ACT2002
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop and apply their vocal practice artistically, critically and socio-politically within the demands of performance material. Students will be expected to demonstrate further autonomy and complexity in both research and practice.
      • Module code: ACT2007
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to engage students in deep textual analysis with classical and Shakespearean and occasionally contemporary texts, enabling students to realise those complex texts through rehearsal and performance.
      • Module code: ACT2019
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to explore practically the skills required by performers working in screen and radio. It will develop appropriate performance skills and techniques and develop an understanding of the actor's professional role in media performance processes.
      • Module code: ACT2021
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to engage students in movement training, and to encourage them to move into deeper and wider investigations into the craft of movement for the actor, allowing opportunities for these explorations to begin to integrate within performance.
      • Module code: ACT2022
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to learn about the relationship between an actor and a director and how to respond to directorial demand through working with a professional director on a studio-style production at a professional venue.
      • Module code: ACT3001
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to prepare students for a career in the professional performance industry, focusing on the essential business and administrative requirements of the acting profession.
      • Module code: ACT3008
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to apply nuanced extended vocal work to performance. Students are provided skills in practical application and critical analysis to widen their understanding and practice. Students will be expected to demonstrate further autonomy and complexity in both research and practice.
      • Module code: ACT3010
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to enable students to deepen their skills in movement for performance and to refine their ability to create nuanced characters with detailed and situation specific movement languages.
      • Module code: ACT3011
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to create an independent practical project, resulting in the creation of work that is relevant for fringe venues.
      • Module code: ACT4003
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to give students opportunities to work with professional directors in order to realise industry standard levels of performance.
  • A typical offer for BA Acting is:

    • BBC at A-Level or,
    • DDM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
    • M at T Level

    in conjunction with an extensive audition.

    We welcome applications from a range of non-traditional education or professional qualifications, and from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    Auditions

    Once your application has been reviewed, you may be invited to attend an audition with us. During your audition you will need to perform two monologues: one classical/Shakespeare piece and one contemporary piece. Both pieces should be no more than two minutes long and you should know them by heart.

    We’ll also do some vocal, movement and acting workshops with you, so please come prepared in loose fitting clothing so you can move around easily and be comfortable.

    Following your performances and the workshops there will be an interview with a member of the Acting team. You’ll also have the chance to meet with some current students on the BA Acting course and ask them any questions you might have about being an Acting student at UON.

    The audition is in a group setting with other applicants, and you should expect to be with us for 4-6 hours.

    We do require you to attend face-to-face for your audition, but we will accommodate virtual auditions if you cannot attend face-to-face.

    Audition dates for 2024: 

    • Wednesday 10 January 2024
    • Wednesday 24 January 2024
    • Wednesday 7 February 2024
    • Wednesday 21 February 2024
    • Wednesday 6 March 2024
    • Wednesday 20 March 2024
    English Language Requirements

    All International and EU students applying for a course with the University of Northampton must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
      for study at undergraduate level

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  • 2024/25 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • International: £15,200
    Additional Costs
    • Show Reel: £120 (approx)
    • Head shots: £70 (approx)
    • Spotlight membership: £100 (not compulsory)
    2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • International: £14,750
    Additional Costs
    • Show Reel: £120 (approx)
    • Head shots: £70 (approx)
    • Spotlight membership: £100 (not compulsory)

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

    If you join this full time Acting degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

    Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your Acting course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

    To check out the full list of perks visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

    *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

  • How will I be taught on Acting BA (Hons)?

    Classes are largely studio-based and practical in nature stretching you physically and personally whilst preparing you professionally. You will have over 30 hours of practical sessions per week. The acting industry is competitive and we aim to equip you for it by teaching you a wide range of skills. You will also work with inspiring and creative professional directors who are active in the industry.

    What do students say about this course?

    Find out more about a range of student experiences on Acting BA at UON:

    How will I be assessed on BA Acting?

    This Acting course is mainly assessed through practical work, performances and presentations, worth 80% of your final grade, but there is some written work in the form of reflective sketchbooks, journals and industry relevant tasks such as character studies and funding applications, worth 20% of your final grade.

Staff


Emmett Tams, Senior Lecturer in Acting & Drama
Emmett Tams

Senior Lecturer in Acting & Drama


Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

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Owain Rose, Senior Lecturer in Acting & Drama
Owain Rose

Senior Lecturer in Acting & Drama


Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

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Careers and Employability


University of Northampton’s Acting BA (Hons) graduates go on to work in all forms of performance, No.1 Touring companies, No.1 Venues such as Nottingham Playhouse, Royal and Derngate Theatres, Feature Films, radio drama, commercials, BBC Drama and more. Equally our graduates know how to create work for themselves to create their own opportunities.

Facilities and Special Features


Specialist facilities and features on the Acting degree include:

  • Six bespoke rehearsal rooms that are stimulating and at the same time practical, safe and ideal for learning the craft of acting
  • Lecturers with professional experience as actors and directors;
  • Direct links to the prestigious Royal and Derngate theatre who also audition students for their main house productions;
  • Student Equity card
  • Talks and workshops by world class directors and actors and other industry figures.
  • In recent years actors such as Samantha Bond and Lesley Joseph have spent time with our students.