Acting for Stage and Screen BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Two students acting on stage sat on the floor with a concrete wall behind and stage lighting

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

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

W411

Start date

September 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

The information on this page is for 2025-26 entry and should be used as guidance for 2026-27 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

Aimed at aspiring actors, performers and performance-makers, this practice-led course is designed to equip you with essential skills in voice, movement and character development. Prepare for diverse roles across theatre, film and digital media while developing into a reflective, industry-ready practitioner.

Develop your craft through workshops exploring varying acting styles and methodologies.
Perform in professional studio spaces and across theatrical, digital and experimental platforms.
Gain critical insight to help you become a confident, adaptable performer and creative collaborator.

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

Learn through hands-on workshops in fully equipped professional studios with expert technical support for theatre, film, wardrobe, video, sound and lighting.
Explore a range of acting styles and methodologies, devising and performing across theatrical, digital and experimental platforms.
Get access to modern facilities, including theatre spaces, immersive digital studios, green screens, costume stores and box office resources.⁴
Benefit from teaching by experienced practitioners, industry professionals and alumni, with opportunities for unique international collaborations like the Telepresence in Theatre project.
Build strong industry connections locally and globally, preparing you for diverse careers in theatre, film, television and beyond.

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’.

1st

for Student Satisfaction in the Midlands in Drama, Dance and Cinematics

The Complete University Guide 2024

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

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

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

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

Immerses 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

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

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

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	GCSE English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
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.

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.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year	Not available
EU	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 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 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 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 2027/28. 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 carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

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.

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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UK students

Full-time students will be able to apply for this course through UCAS from September 2025. 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 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
AHU082

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 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and membershipsons

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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

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

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. 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.

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Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding

Acting for Stage and Screen BA (Hons)

Course overview

Rated Gold Overall

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

Why you should study this course

About the School of Arts and Creative Industries

What you'll study

Modules

Modules

Modules

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours

Guided and independent study

Online learning

Assessment

International experience opportunities

Entry requirements

Portfolio

Other qualifications and experience

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

Portfolio

English language requirements

Fees and funding

*Irish student fees

**EU Support Bursary

Facilities

Performance spaces

Music seminar room

Television studios

Careers and opportunities

Where our graduates work

Further studies

Discover Phoenix+

How to apply

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