Acting for Stage and Screen BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Build performance and production skills relevant to theatre, film, television and emerging media.

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

W411

Start date

September 2026
November 2026
January 2027
March 2027
May 2027
July 2027

How to apply

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Your UCAS Guide

Available through Clearing

We recognise a breadth of qualifications and relevant experience and may be able to consider your portfolio or other examples of your practice-based work even if you do not have the required points. Speak to one of our advisers today for more information. Your portfolio and/or practice-based work will be reviewed by the Course Director who will make a final decision.*
*Applicant offer decisions are final and there is no right of appeal.

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Course overview

If you're passionate about acting and performance, this practical, studio-based course combines rigorous training in craft with the opportunity to study on a distinctive undergraduate performance programme in the UK. You'll build the skills, confidence and creativity to work in live performance, screen and emerging art forms through intensive training in voice, movement, acting techniques and character development.

Learning by doing is at the heart of the course. Through workshops, rehearsals and productions, you'll challenge yourself as a performer while working in professional studio spaces and across live, filmed and digital performance. You may also have the opportunity to contribute to our internationally award-winning creative projects, collaborating with fellow artists and partners from around the world on productions that push the boundaries of contemporary performance. By the time you graduate, you should have the technical skill, critical insight and creative range to take your next step into today's evolving performance industries, whether that's further training, professional performance work, or a wider career across the creative sector.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Build your craft through practical workshops, rehearsals and productions in professional theatre and film studios, supported by expert technical and academic staff.
Develop your versatility by exploring a wide range of acting techniques and creating work across live, screen and innovative digital performances.
Learn in industry-standard facilities, including live rehearsal and performance spaces, immersive digital studios and professional production resources.
Be part of an award-winning creative community, learning from experienced practitioners, industry professionals and alumni, with opportunities to contribute to innovative projects including our internationally award-winning Telepresence in Theatre collaboration.
Graduate with a body of professional-standard work: productions, screen projects, audio recordings and a final showcase alongside the critical and reflective skills to keep developing as an artist long after you leave.

About the School of Arts and Creative Industries

Our hands-on, practitioner-led approach is rooted in project-based learning. This creates opportunities for cross-disciplinary working and engagement with external collaborators. Where appropriate, you may work with peers from other courses, bringing specialist skills to interdisciplinary projects in ways that reflect the collaborative nature of creative studios and agencies in the creative industries.
Our learning and teaching mirror the needs of the creative industries, so our graduates have the opportunity to develop the skills and attributes needed to become industry specialists, leaders and innovators.
Our global initiatives aim to give you skills to become a collaborative communicator and make you culturally competent.
Our industry links typically enable us to host an exciting programme of guest speakers covering topics such as acting for the camera, becoming an Equity member and creating your own work.²
Past students have worked on projects such as the award-winning Immersive Telepresence in Theatre project and have collaborated with the acclaimed outdoor theatre company ‘The Fabularium’.

Joint 18th

for Drama, Dance and Cinematics

The Times and Sunday Times, Good University Guide 2026

What you'll study

Modules

Actor’s Toolkit: Character and Rehearsal – 30 credits

This module teaches essential acting skills for live and digital media through practical training and critical inquiry. Develop voice, movement and characterisation techniques while exploring performance methodologies, improvisation and storytelling. This module integrates ethical and theoretical considerations, fostering self-reflection and analysis. Apply diverse techniques to varied mediums to build a robust foundation for future artistic and professional growth.

Compulsory

The Performer and the Space – 30 credits

Explore storytelling in performance, focusing on how actors use voice, body and space to engage audiences. Through practical exercises and reflection, create performances with minimal resources, exploring solo and ensemble techniques. Examine narrative structure, character embodiment and improvisation while developing skills in self-evaluation and analysis, fostering creativity and adaptability in performance-making.

Compulsory

Actor’s Toolkit: Performance Styles and Forms – 30 credits

Advance your acting skills for live and screen-based media through practical training, text analysis and exploration of actor training methods. Refine voice, movement and character techniques while learning to adapt performances across genres. Gain hands-on experience in recording and editing for screen, combining technical skills with critical reflection to enhance your versatility as a performer.

Compulsory

Devising Performance Texts – 30 credits

Create and produce a devised performance, forming a company responsible for creative, logistical and technical aspects. Through collaboration, improvisation and exploration of contemporary theatre practices, develop artistic, technical and problem-solving skills. Gain experience in staging, design and marketing, fostering a holistic understanding of performance creation and professional production processes.

Compulsory

Modules

Actor’s Toolkit: Acting For Camera – 30 credits

Train in acting for narrative film, building on prior skills to meet on-camera performance demands. Learn technical aspects like camera angles, blocking and lighting while refining techniques such as tone, eyeline and hitting marks. Through workshops and screenings, develop the skills to confidently prepare and perform in filmed scenes.

Compulsory

Actor’s Toolkit: Performing Shakespeare – 30 credits

Intensively explore the acting challenges of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Refine voice, movement and characterisation through practical workshops, tackling Renaissance drama’s linguistic and structural complexities. Analyse verse, metre and rhetoric while engaging in scene work and staging. Emphasis is placed on vocal, physical and emotional demands, cultural adaptation and modern reinterpretation, building flexible, professional performance skills.

Compulsory

Exploring New Forms of Creative Practice – 30 credits

Explore contemporary performance-making through both practical and theoretical lenses, emphasising devised work in non-traditional spaces. Engage with site-specific theatre, immersive performance and digital integration while collaborating on innovative, original projects. Examine experimental methodologies and cultural frameworks, developing skills in audience engagement, multi-platform storytelling and reflective creative practice to effectively navigate evolving performance landscapes with precision.

Compulsory

Directed Performance – 30 credits

Immerse yourself in diverse performance texts from ancient to contemporary periods, fostering understanding of cultural, historical, sociological and stylistic influences. Through professional rehearsals and collaborative production roles—including performance, marketing, design and technical work—refine acting techniques and organisational skills. Public performances and reflective journaling culminate in practical, critical experience mounting professional-standard theatre productions.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

Performance Project – 30 credits

Gain hands-on professional creative experience by partnering with industry practitioners to create live, filmed or digital performances. Refine advanced performance techniques, technical skills and collaborative practices while developing professional attitudes and adaptability. The emphasis is on individual and ensemble work, reflective self-analysis and meeting industry expectations, ultimately preparing you for a confident transition into professional environments.

Compulsory

Actor’s Toolkit: Actor’s Voice – 30 credits

Focus on the development of voice, movement and character through the exploration of a range of techniques, practices and theories. Skills sessions will be linked to a series of workshops that develop vocal dexterity and the application of vocal technique in performance. Test your techniques against a variety of texts/situations to foster an appreciation of how different vocal tones can suit different styles of text and how the aesthetic response to text informs considerations of pitch, pace and dynamics. Develop skills applicable to genres such as radio drama, voice-over, podcasts, games and ADR techniques.

Compulsory

Preparing for Industry – 30 credits

Designed to develop a deep understanding of professionalism in the performing arts and creative industries, this module encourages self-reflection, career planning and social responsibility. Explore industry structures, career pathways and commercial pressures through workshops and case studies. By critically evaluating your artistic identity and skills, gain practical tools to navigate professional landscapes and transition from training to employment.

Compulsory

Professional Showcase – 30 credits

Challenge yourself to conceive, develop and present a substantial collaborative performance project. Integrating skills and knowledge from your training, lead project design, research and rehearsals, and manage planning, budgeting and documentation. By assuming key creative roles and engaging in critical reflection, gain leadership and project management skills, preparing you for careers in the performing arts industry.

Compulsory

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.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include: 

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical workshop sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course is assessed using methods that vary by module. These approaches are intended to prepare you for the complex and evolving contexts of professional practice.

Assessment methods may include:

artefacts
practical coursework
group work
live presentations/presentations
performances.

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.

International experience opportunities

You may have the opportunity to take part in Telepresence in Theatre/Shakespeare Remote, our internationally award-winning performance project that brings together actors from universities around the world to rehearse, create and perform live across countries. Combining theatre with innovative digital technologies, the project offers a unique opportunity to explore new approaches to performance while developing the creative, collaborative and technical skills needed for today's evolving creative industries.

Originally developed between Coventry University and Tampere University in Finland, the project has grown into a long-standing international collaboration with leading partner institutions across Europe and North America, including ESADIB (Mallorca), Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland), Purdue University and Florida International University (USA). Students have worked on productions with collaborators in countries including Finland, Spain, Poland, Hong Kong and the United States, creating ambitious performances that challenge traditional ideas of rehearsal, performance and audience.

Telepresence in Theatre has received international recognition for its innovation in performance and higher education, including the PIEoneer Award for Internationalisation, the Guardian Award for Internationalisation, multiple Gold Reimagine Education Awards in Arts and Humanities and Hybrid Learning, and recognition from the Times Higher Education Awards and the Music & Drama Education Awards.

Participation in International Experiences are competitive and subject to availability. Where international travel is involved, additional costs and visa or travel requirements may apply.

Entry requirements

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Typical entry requirements:

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,790 per year	Not available
EU	£9,790 per year with EU Support Bursary £20,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£20,800 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees.

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.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

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?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

Access to facilities may include a theatre performance space with lighting/sound control rooms and comprehensive and up-to-date technical equipment, two theatre studio rehearsal spaces, a dance studio with sprung floor and lighting, theatre workshop space, wardrobe facilities and storage with around 3,500 costume items and 1,500 accessories, dedicated technical support for theatre and film and dressing room facilities as well as a range of equipment available on loan, such as video, recording, sound and lighting. Booking may be required for some facilities⁴.

Take a virtual tour

Students acting out a classroom scene on stage

Performance spaces

Our Ellen Terry Building has a theatre performance space, two rehearsal studios, a dance studio and a workshop spaces for building and constructing set and props. It also has dressing rooms and storage with around 3,500 costume items and 1,500 props and accessories.

Student playing trumpet on stage accompanied by a pianist.

Music seminar room

A great space for our budding musicians, our specialist music seminar room comes with a grand piano, PA, amps, drum kit and 5.1 surround sound, all directly linked to a control room for recording.

Student using computer equipment on a recording studio desk.

Television studios

On selected courses, you’ll have access to our on-site television studio The Tank, offering specialist equipment such as large cameras, mixing facilities and fibre-optic wiring throughout.

Facilities are subject to availability⁴. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

understand diverse practices of acting within historical and contemporary global contexts
evidence theoretical and contextual knowledge and understanding of acting and performance across a range of live and mediated platforms
engage with the work of local, national and international communities of practice to evaluate, challenge and influence current and future industry trends
demonstrate a diverse range of acting and performance skills in a variety of independent and collaborative contexts
critically reflect on the development of skills in the production of a highly creative portfolio of work as an emerging independent and collaborative practitioner
accurately deploy established techniques in acting across a range of live and technologically mediated performances at various stages of production.

There is a strong emphasis within the course on your future career path, aimed not only to help you to explore what your chosen career path might be, but also to help build a professional level of business skills and knowledge.

The ‘Preparing for Industry’ module in particular is designed to encourage you to develop an appreciation of the nature of professionalism in the context of the performing arts industry and to recognise the relationship between professional arts practice, critical reflection and personal planning. You will have the opportunity to consider career structures relevant for your field, including companies, freelance, small businesses and sole trader, and the commercial structures within which you may eventually work. We will also look at the possible market places for different skills and creations, which includes areas such as self-promotion, marketing and publicity.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aims to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's careers team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career or take advantage of professional practice opportunities within course specific industries. Our dedicated Enterprise Officers also offer valuable assistance on how to begin as a freelancer/entrepreneur.

On successful graduation, there are many options you could possibly pursue including careers in teaching following further training, socially engaged and community arts organisations and theatre in education contexts.

Where our graduates work

Our graduates have gone on to further training, both in the UK and abroad and have worked in a variety of roles in the theatre and film industry from acting for Amazon Prime, BBC and Netflix, touring with both large and small scale independent theatre companies and freelance performers.

Previous graduates have secured work in the education departments of theatres including The Belgrade Theatre, The Birmingham Rep, Old Vic Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and The Roundhouse in London. Others have found roles with a range of organisations, such as supporting national community cohesion at The Challenge, managing TEFL (Teaching of English as a Foreign Language) programmes with Dramatic English in Hong Kong, working alongside schools at specialist SEN agencies or with Live and Local promoting arts in rural Warwickshire.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Further studies

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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How to apply

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UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CASU042

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The current 2025/2026 contract applies to students starting between September 2025 and July 2026. Students starting between September 2026 and July 2027 will be covered by the 2026/2027 Student Contract. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.