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Acting BA (Hons)

Start date

September

UCAS code

W410

Duration

3 years

UCAS points

96 - 112

Acting
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 10 for Student ExperienceThe Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 5 for Teaching Quality

Develop your individuality and prepare for a career in the creative industries with our Acting degree

Challenge your imagination and potential with our London-based Acting degree. The programme is flexible and offers you the chance to tailor your degree to suit your creative needs.

As well as your in-depth actor training, you will have the chance to learn how to write your own script, produce and devise your own films and theatre projects, and define yourself in today's creative industries. Our acting programme will prepare you to work across a range of media, including:

  • theatre
  • screen
  • radio
  • voiceover.

You’ll also get to participate in a West End showcase and a professional production in a local theatre or St Mary’s theatre. After your degree, you’ll leave with a showreel and voice reel, helping you to kickstart your career.

Hands-on learning with experts

Our acting course is intensive. You will receive guidance from experts, such as:

  • industry professionals
  • directors
  • actors.

Cutting-edge facilities

You will learn in our creative arts facilities, which include our:

We also have a 320-seat theatre in Twickenham called The Exchange.

Pre-UCAS auditions

These allow you to come and audition for us before making your final UCAS choices. Pre-UCAS auditions will be held on:

  • Undergraduate Open Day - 28th September (open day only) from 11am (Campus Theatre)
  • 16th October – pre-UCAS auditions from 2pm (Studio 5)
  • Undergraduate Open Day - 30th October (open day and pre-Ucas) from 2pm (Wednesday) (Studio 5)
  • 13th November – pre-UCAS auditions from 2pm (Studio 5)
  • Undergraduate Open Day - 30th November (open day and pre-Ucas) from 11am. (Campus Theatre).

Visit our pre-UCAS auditions page for more information.

Audition for free

Your audition – free and on-campus – will involve:

  • a workshop
  • an individual piece
  • an interview.

Visit our auditions page for more information.

BA (Hons) Acting graduates

View the portfolios of our graduates.

Mark Street

Senior Lecturer - Drama

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Course content

Modules

The core modules listed below outline the main core skill sets an actor needs to forge a successful career in the stage and screen industries. Outside of these there are options that you can take to help you develop skills that will give you a competitive edge in today's creative industry.

From screen writing to digital production, you can opt to study modules where you will be taught by our highly talented and experienced tutors. Within your three years you will be working with the filmmaking students forging collaborative relationships that may last into your professional careers.

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Entry requirements

We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:

  • subjects studied at Level 3
  • your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
  • non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
  • your references and motivation.

96 - 112

UCAS points

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).

Auditions

All applicants for our BA (Hons) Acting programme are required to attend an audition on campus, unless you live outside of the UK. For more information, see our audition information page.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

How many UCAS points my grades are worth

A levels

  • A*

    56 pts

  • A

    48 pts

  • B

    40 pts

  • C

    32 pts

  • D

    24 pts

  • E

    16 pts

My qualification isn't listed:

If you can't find your qualification in this list please check the full list of UCAS tariff tables.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Home

£9,250

International

£17,100

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage

Scholarships

Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

How the degree is taught

Contact time - 82%

Independent study - 18%

*Contact time includes 18% of guided learning

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

The course is predominantly (90%) taught through practical classes and workshops, as well as rehearsals for productions.

The Contextual Studies strand of the degree is taught in lecture seminars (10%) throughout the course and links to the work you do in practical classes, giving you a wider understanding of the theatre.

Class sizes are usually 20 to 25 students, and year three productions run in casts of 10 to 12. 

Assessment methods

Acting, Performance, Voice and Movement modules (comprising 90% of the course) are assessed through practical exercises, performances and workshop demonstrations. The Contextual Studies modules are assessed by essay (two essays across three years) and graduate portfolio in your third year.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

Career opportunities

With our Acting degree, you will develop essential transferrable skills like teamwork, communication, and adaptability.

Contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.

Previous students have secured careers as:

stage actorson-screen actorswritersdirectorsproducers

What our students say about this course...

All our teachers were very knowledgeable and had industry experience, whether in writing, directing, acting, or producing.
Montel Douglas

Montel Douglas

Graduated 2018

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Open Days

Open Days are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet academic staff. You'll also be able to look around the campus, speak to current students and find out more about services such as Accommodation and Student Wellbeing.