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Acting

BA (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - single honours

Award
BA (Hons) Acting
School/s
Bath School of Music and Performing Arts
Campus or location
Newton Park and related sites in Bath
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: W410 or RTFD
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Our Acting degree trains you to become a versatile and employable voice, film and stage actor.

  • Prepare for a portfolio career. Train as an actor who can work across a range of media including theatre, screen, radio and voiceover.
  • Perform and create with professional venues and organisations including Ustinov Studios, The Rondo Theatre and Bath Festivals.
  • Build the skills, experience and resilience necessary to become a professional in the industry.

What does it take to be a professional actor? Skill and confidence, certainly. We also think it helps to have a strong portfolio before you even graduate.

Our Acting course trains you in all aspects of the business while nurturing the versatility, creativity and resilience needed to succeed in acting and a range of performing arts careers.

In your first year, you’ll build the foundations through technical skills classes in movement, voice, singing and comedy. Your second year explores and tests these skills through projects such as full-scale theatre productions, short films, commercials, presenting jobs and voiceovers for audiobooks and games. In your final year, you’ll focus on your profile and perform to public audiences to build your CV. You’ll also work with industry professionals to expand your network of contacts – all before launching your career. 

University of the Year for Social Inclusion

Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024

Joint 2nd in the UK

and #1 in the South West for Value Added in Drama and Dance (Guardian University Guide, 2024) 

#10 in the UK

and #1 in the South West for Student Satisfaction in Drama, Dance and Cinematics (Complete University Guide, 2024) 


Open Days

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What you'll learn

Overview

Early career actors need to be proactive. We show you how to take an entrepreneurial approach – how to sell your brand, find opportunities, and bring the transferable skills you’ve gained on the course into many areas of the industry.

You’ll get the chance to create your own work and collaborate with professionals, especially at our student-led festival, SparkFest, which we run in partnership with Bath Festivals, and as part of our in-house production company, Bath Spa Productions.

By the time you graduate, you’ll know what it’s like to work with directors, technicians, venue managers, writers, producers and your fellow performers. You’ll know how to position yourself to find opportunities – and how to create them. You’ll learn about all aspects of communicating with future employers and freelance clients, by developing your:

  • showreel
  • CV in Spotlight (one of the main casting databases in the UK)
  • portfolio
  • website
  • headshot
  • interview techniques
  • self-taping and audition skills
  • career action plan.

This is a challenging Acting degree, led by specialist staff, and designed to equip you to succeed in an increasingly competitive profession. 

Course structure

Year one
The first year introduces you to the key practitioners and processes that underpin actor training. You’ll learn about the connections between composition, rehearsal, research and performance, and develop skills such as:

  • script analysis
  • breaking down a scene
  • researching the world of the play
  • interpreting character
  • exploring subtext
  • devising your own work.

Technical classes will introduce you to professional-level movement, voice and comedy skills that will enable you to work effectively both as an individual and as part of an ensemble.

Year two
Interpret, analyse and perform various texts in order to extend your understanding of performing in, as well as creating, drama.

Alongside your regular technical classes, you’ll receive acting for camera training and stage combat classes, designed to enhance your skills-base and prepare you for production projects in year three.

Year three
This is your apprentice year, when we’ll encourage you to take your skills into an outward-facing environment.

You’ll become a member of Bath Spa Productions, a professional company that produces a range of live and recorded work. This provides a safe environment in which to test your ability to work collaboratively. You’ll get the chance to connect your acting work with design, technical, management, music and other production elements. Within this collaborative environment you’re expected to meet industry standards and work within professionally-recognised timeframes.

How will I be assessed?

You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods including:

  • self-reflective journals
  • performances
  • essays
  • vivas (where you talk about your work)
  • presentations.

In your final year, you’ll also be assessed on a range of projects, all led by external industry professionals.

How will I be taught?

You’ll learn in a wide variety of settings, including regular practical acting classes, seminars, workshops, tutorials, rehearsals and small groups. You’ll have regular one-to-ones with our specialist staff to check your progress and provide individual support.

You’ll have an average of 18 contact hours per week in your first two years, with more independent rehearsals in your graduating year. You need to complement this with equivalent hours of independent study and preparation.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.

Year one (Level 4) modules
  • Preparing the Actor
  • Introduction to Acting
  • Acting Processes in Action
  • Form and Practice
  • The Actor in an Ensemble
  • Performance Practice
Year two (Level 5) modules
  • Text Project
  • Theatre Making
  • The Actor’s Portfolio Career
  • Live Performance
  • Mediated Performance
  • The Self-Directed Creative
Year three (Level 6) modules
  • Acting Independent Study
  • Production Project: Live Production
  • Production Project: Mediated Production
  • Production Project: Small Scale Production
  • Creative Portfolio

Opportunities

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Work placements, industry links and internships

We work closely with professionals, companies and organisations in theatre, film and television. These collaborators are both national and in the region. The course has a successful professional partnership with Theatre Royal Bath.

Our students have recently worked with the following individuals and companies:

  • Director and theatre maker, Jenny Davies
  • Established and experienced director, Ed Viney
  • Writer and theatre director, Emma Williams
  • Award-winning comedy writer, producer and performer, Fergus Woods Dunlop from multi award-winning company, New Old Friends
  • Award-winning theatre company, Wardrobe Ensemble
  • BAFTA-winning filmmaker and director, Rupert Miles
Careers

Our graduating students work across stage, screen and voiceover for books and video games; they’ve performed at Comedy Clubs, in TV commercials, and on UK national tours. They’ve appeared in immersive experiences, major touring pantomimes, short award-winning films and musical theatre productions. They’ve also acted in dramas by Netflix, the BBC and ITV.

Several have established successful theatre companies, and gone on to create their own national tours and even employ members of the creative community they established at Bath Spa University.

Acting graduates from Bath Spa work locally, nationally and globally, and are recognised for their creativity and versatility as actors, creatives and makers, building their career in what they were trained to do.

Our graduates also engage in further study or work in related performance roles, as artistic directors, writers, arts officers and teachers.

Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Global Citizenship Programme, which you’ll study alongside your degree. You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience.

On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

Our Oldfield Park Theatre workshops are a purpose-built facility in central Bath for second and third year Acting students. These facilities include:

  • Four rehearsal studios and Black Box performance space
  • Breakout spaces and quiet study areas
  • Lecture and seminar rooms
  • IT suite
  • Fully-equipped carpentry workshop and teaching space
  • Fully-equipped costume making workshop
  • Prop making workshop.

You’ll also have access to facilities on our other campuses, including:

Resources
  • Our Library offers a wealth of learning resources including books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. Our Subject Librarian for Performing Arts provides subject-specific support, including help with research.
  • ASk (formerly the Writing and Learning Centre) provides support for your academic work, including feedback on written drafts and other help with academic writing.
  • Our Virtual Learning Environment provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources. 
  • The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
  • You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
  • If English isn't your first language, our English Language Unit can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.
  • Our Student Wellbeing Services are available to support you through your learning.

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £16,905

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,381

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

Are you curious about your subject, hard-working, imaginative and creative? Do you enjoy working with others? We welcome an open and generous approach, celebrate your individuality, and support you on a journey of learning over three years. If this is the kind of community you want to join, this could be the course for you. 

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

  • A Level – grades BBB-BCC including a grade B in Drama, Theatre Studies or Performing Arts preferred.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject, or evidence of experience in Performing Arts.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
  • International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required in addition to evidence of involvement in drama or performing arts.
  • Access to HE courses - typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher) together with evidence of involvement in drama and performing arts.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries
For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.

Audition and interview

We invite all eligible candidates to attend an audition, which is made up of two workshops and an interview where you can get to know us and we can get to know you. International students can audition online. You’ll receive further information if you’re invited to an audition. We don’t charge an audition fee.

Course leader: Kerry Irvine
Email: k.irvine@bathspa.ac.uk

Three year course
With placement year
Image credits: Production images by Nick Spratling @nick_theofficialphotographer. Majority of headshots by M.A.D Photography. Dom Thompson by Sorrel Price Photography.

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk