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Acting BA (Hons)
Study level: UndergraduateHNC/HND courses
The BA (Hons) Acting degree, in collaboration with the world-famous Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, aims to produce proactive professional actors.
Year of entry
Location
CU Scarborough (Scarborough)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC
Course code
W410
W412
W141
Start date
September 2024
Course overview
The Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) is a professional producing theatre, was Britain’s first theatre in the round, and has premiered over 80 of the plays of acclaimed playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn.
- In this unique collaboration, you will work with SJT professionals at points throughout the programme – including mentoring, observation of professional rehearsals, and participation on stage in a professionally directed piece for theatre.
- You will work daily in our professionally equipped spaces and studios, working and collaborating with industry professionals in a variety of contexts, with the aim of making you fully industry-ready upon successful graduation.
Why you should study this course
The course is dedicated to making acting an accessible and rewarding occupation for all, regardless of background.
- Over the three years, you will look to acquire a secure grounding in the skills needed to replicate human behaviour at a realistic level, insight into performance versatility, and familiarity with recorded media and emerging contexts of new work for actors.
- Upon graduation, you should have a comprehensive portfolio of experience and knowledge, enabling you to be ‘industry-ready’ at a high level. This could include headshots, showreel material, showcase and CV work as well as industry contacts and experiences.
Collaborations
This course is delivered in collaboration1 with the following bodies:
Stephen Joseph Theatre
The Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) is an independent theatre and cinema on the North Yorkshire coast with an international reputation for producing brilliant theatre. The theatre has an illustrious history, with a longstanding commitment to producing new plays including premiering over 80 plays by acclaimed playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn.
In this unique and exciting collaboration, CU Scarborough students are given the opportunity to work with SJT professionals, gaining invaluable industry support with mentoring, observation of rehearsals, and performance opportunities in both The Round (the first theatre in-the-round in the world) and The McCarthy (end-on theatre and cinema). In their third year, students form the cast of a professionally directed Christmas show for families with a two-week run at SJT as well as an acting showcase in front of invited industry professionals. Throughout their studies, students will also have the opportunity to see SJT productions for free or at discounted rates.
Acting at CU Scarborough
"The course prepares student actors for what the industry will be like in 10 years’ time." Liam Farricker, Graduate, quoted June 2023
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
The course is brilliant at offering connections and networks to prepare you as an actor going into industry.
Ellen Ramos, Graduate, quoted June 2023
How you'll learn
This is a course that is practically driven and you will be assessed in a variety of ways.
Learning is delivered in a workshop style so that you get the best out of your training.
- You train with people who are also industry professionals so the knowledge you get is up to the minute.
- You train in a professional environment where you are free to also explore your own artistry.
- Industry-applied learning is integral to every aspect of the programme.
- You will learn about building the ensemble and the importance of working together as part of your everyday practise.
Teaching contact hours
The number of full-time contact hours may vary from module to module, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 taught hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-delivered rehearsal and development of character work and script work of approximately 15 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group work, and online tutorials depending upon the modules.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.
Course Breakdown:
- Coursework
- Performances
- Recordings
- Vivas
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
One-to-one training and a great network of professionals prepares you brilliantly for industry.
Heather Taylor, Year 3, quoted June 2023
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.
Tuition Fees
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £7,950 per year | Not available |
| EU | £7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary** £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
| International | £18,300 per year | Not available |
If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees3:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU Support Bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
Facilities
We work out of a working theatre4 which is equipped with 3 rehearsal rooms, film studio with green screen and voice booth, café area and an additional classroom. This space has a fully equipped theatre with 240 seats and a full working rig and dressing room facilities.
Our campus building4 is designed with your needs in mind. It features an open central atrium with IT suites and study spaces. The onsite library offers a wide range of essential and recommended reading materials, including access to over 115,000 eBooks. Additionally, you'll find dedicated spaces for career guidance, study support services, a café, a prayer room, and social areas within the building.
Careers and opportunities
On successful completion, you should be able to:
- Understand your personal methods and styles of communication and apply them to the process of acting.
- Effectively market yourself as a professional in a versatile range of contexts including commercial live theatre, recorded media, and educational and community settings.
- Understand research-informed performance versatility, and a familiarity with recorded media.
- Apply a comprehensive portfolio of experiences and knowledge, enabling you to be industry ready.
The collaboration with the SJT ensures that employability is embedded from the outset and exposure to creatives and industry professionals will facilitate high-level networking, enhancing professional opportunities and prospects following completion of the degree.
The course provides skills training in the art of acting and the business of acting, in a versatile range of contexts including commercial live theatre, recorded media, and educational and community settings. From a business perspective, you will be introduced to business concepts including marketing, budgeting and entrepreneurship, in order to ensure that upon graduation, you are able to market yourself professionally.
Where our graduates work
- Stephen Joseph Theatre
- Rusticus Theatre Company
- ARCADE Arts
- KIT Theatre Company
- YMCA Theatre Yorkshire Coast
- Freelance Actor: Various companies, television adverts, programmes etc
- Magical Quests North
- Next Door But One Theatre
Graduates have a real opportunity to develop work outside in the professional world and development across a variety of theatre spaces and environments. They extend the range of their skills across various professional performing spaces. They are industry ready and work from the beginning in a professional environment as a strong ensemble. Very high-quality and experienced industry leaders who still work in professional practice who are very industry connected.
Marcus Romer, Theatre and Film Director, quoted June 2023
How to apply
UK students
International students
Disclaimers
