Acting for Stage and Screen BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Two students acting on stage sat on the floor with a concrete wall behind and stage lighting

Acting for Stage and Screen BA (Hons) is aimed at students looking to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in acting on stage, screen and in immersive and digital spaces.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

W411

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

This is a practical and creative course in which you will have the opportunity to develop skills which are essential for a range of careers in the creative industries and beyond.

  • Taught primarily through practical workshops in professionally equipped studio spaces, students will benefit from dedicated technical support for theatre, film and wardrobe needs as well as a range of equipment available on loan for video, recording, sound and lighting (subject to availability)4.
  • Courses explore a wide range of different styles and forms from character building methodologies, to devising performances for theatrical, digital and experimental spaces. The purpose of this course is for you to have a contextual underpinning to the work you do, with the aim of becoming a critical and reflective practitioner with an industry focus.
  • This degree combines devising, scripted and experimental work with opportunities for live and mediated performances emphasising the development of acting as an art form. Teaching and learning methods selected for this course are designed to facilitate your ability to develop and reflect on your own skills and understanding, and to foster links between this, the practice of others, and theoretical knowledge and concepts.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • You will be taught by our team of experienced creative practitioners, and you may have the opportunity to be taught by industry professionals, collaborative companies and recent alumni2.
  • You will have access to excellent facilities, including a theatre with lighting/sound control rooms and comprehensive and up-to-date technical equipment, large film, immersive and green screen digital studios, rehearsal spaces an extensive costume stores and dressing rooms and box office facilities4.
  • You may have the opportunity to participate in the multi-international award winning Telepresence in Theatre initiative which is an ongoing project between Coventry and the actor training degree at the Tampere University, Finland. Using repurposed technologies such as videoconferencing, rear projection, directional sound an immersive rehearsal space is created in both locations giving students the unique opportunity to rehearse and explore performances simultaneously while thousands of miles apart2.
  • We have excellent links with industry locally, nationally, and internationally, providing opportunities to act in a wide range of contexts and projects. The course is taught by experienced creative practitioners who have worked as directors, actors, and designers for a wide range of companies (staff may be subject to change)2.
  • Our graduates have gone on to further training, both in 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 gone to work in the education sector for (inter)national production companies.
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What you'll study

In your first year, you will begin to develop skills in voice, movement and characterisation coupled with an exploration of contemporary acting styles and practices underpinned with knowledge and theory to help develop your practice. Key practitioners and styles of acting are explored as well as the fundamentals of acting in live, digitised and mediatised settings.

Modules

Your second year takes skills developed in your first year and applies them to a series of contexts from the digital to the live. From classical to experimental performance styles, you will undertake a series of activities that will continue to develop and hone your acting skills through a series of stage and screen opportunities. There may be opportunities to learn with students from across the School and to engage in externally facing/industry projects2.

Modules

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.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In your final year, you will work on shaping your career path with the help of industry professionals. You will continue to have opportunities to develop your acting skills through a series of workshops and projects that prepare you for entry into the creative industries, examining how you apply skills in voice, body and character creation to a series of performance opportunities, leading to a final industry showcase event.

Modules

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

The course normally lasts three years. Students successfully completing the first two years of the course can apply to take a Professional Placement or Study Abroad module2, spending a year out between the second and third years on placement or study abroad. Past students have spent a year studying at Valencia in Spain, Berlin, Nicosia in Cyprus, and Long Beach, California. Your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice.

Teaching methods include: practical classes and workshops with associated lectures and seminars.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional 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 learnt 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 will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include practical or project work, coursework and essays.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.


International experience opportunities

The current teaching team has a vast array of international research expertise which in the past have included exciting collaborations such as a site-specific project on the use of Pico pocket projectors during field trips with Das Institut für Alles Mögliche, Berlin, as well as long-form improvisation research with alumni of Chicago’s Second City and teachers from The Hothouse Los Angeles (staff may be subject to change).

You may also have the opportunity to participate in the Telepresence in Theatre initiative. This project was initially a joint development between Coventry University and Tampere University, Finland but has expanded to work with global institutions such as Florida International University, the University of Purdue, Adam Mickiweicz University, Poland and ESADIB, Palma. Using repurposed technologies such as videoconferencing, rear projection, directional sound, Adobe Connect and Facebook, an immersive rehearsal space is created in both locations to enable students to rehearse and explore a variety of classic plays.

The project, which has now received multiple international awards (shortlisted for a Music and Drama Education award in 2023 and 2024, The Guardian Award for Internationalisation 2020, Gold in Arts and Humanities Reimagine education 2016 and 2018, Highly Commended at the Times Higher Education Awards 2018) is continuing to develop new ways of teaching and learning at a distance. The project has conducted performances in Hong Kong, Finland and Miami and in 2019 collaborated with Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan and Purdue University in the US.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 104
A level BCC
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 27 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma. Plus GCSE English at grade 4 / C or above.

Portfolio

You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email (as is appropriate to your course), either virtually or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites for these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Portfolio

You will be required to submit a portfolio via email or alternatively attend a showcase activity session or audition (as is appropriate for your course) which can be virtual or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites to send in your portfolio or attend these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 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 of £1,250 to 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.

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.

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.

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).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*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.


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.

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.

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.


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 ‘Actor’s Toolkit: 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 Talent 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.

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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