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The BA (Hons) Acting degree, delivered in collaboration with the world-famous Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) in Scarborough, aims to produce proactive professional actors.
Year of entry
2025-26
Location
CU Scarborough (Scarborough)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC
Course code
W410
W412
W141
Start date
September 2025
Our aim is to turn you into a professional, pro-active actor. Our unique collaboration with the world-famous Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) means you will work with SJT professionals at points throughout the programme – including mentoring, observation of professional rehearsals, and performance on stage in a professionally directed piece for theatre.
The course is dedicated to making acting an accessible and rewarding occupation for all, regardless of background.
This course is delivered in collaboration1 with the following bodies:
The Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) is an independent professional producing theatre and cinema in Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast with an international reputation for producing brilliant theatre. The theatre has an illustrious history, with a longstanding commitment to producing new plays including premiering over 80 plays by acclaimed playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn.
In this unique and exciting collaboration, CU Scarborough students are given the opportunity to work with SJT professionals, gaining invaluable industry support with mentoring and performance opportunities in both The Round (the first theatre in-the-round in the UK) and The McCarthy (end-on theatre and cinema).
In your third year, acting students form the cast of a professionally directed Christmas show for families with a two-week run at SJT. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to perform in an acting showcase in front of invited industry professionals, subject to availability.
Throughout your studies, you will also have the opportunity to see SJT productions for dree or at discounted rates, subject to availability2.
"The course prepares student actors for what the industry will be like in 10 years’ time." Liam Farricker, Graduate, quoted June 2023
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
The course is brilliant at offering connections and networks to prepare you as an actor going into industry.
Ellen Ramos, Year 3, quoted June 2023
This is a course that is practically driven and you will be assessed in a variety of ways.
Learning is delivered in a workshop style so that you get the best out of your training.
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 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.
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.
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 methods vary and may include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.
Course Breakdown:
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.
My course tutor helped me secure a job with ARCADE and through that, I have now made my own personal industry connections.
Liam Farricker, Year 3, quoted June 2023
Typical entry requirements:
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2025/26 fees TBC* 2024/25 fees-£7,950 per year |
Not available |
EU | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - as UK per year with EU Support Bursary** 2025/26 fees TBC* 2024/25 fees -£18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | 2025/26 fees TBC* 2024/25 fees -£18,300 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:
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.
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.
We work out of a working theatre which is equipped with:
This space has a fully equipped theatre with 240 seats and a full working rig and dressing room facilities.
Our purpose-built campus building is arranged around an open central atrium and includes a dedicated drama studio to accommodate you - our acting students (opened September 2019). Facilities include:
The campus itself is located next to Scarborough’s Sports Village, a complex that includes an Olympic Legacy swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite, all-weather pitches, and the Scarborough Athletic Football Club ground.
It is a 10-minute walk from the East Yorkshire seafront. North Bay is Scarborough’s Blue Flag beach, meaning it is one of the best in Europe for cleanliness; on the sand and in the water, for facilities, and safety.
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.
On successful completion, you should be able to:
The collaboration with the SJT has been designed so that employability is embedded from the outset, with the aim that exposure to creatives and industry professionals will facilitate high-level networking, enhancing professional opportunities and prospects following completion of the degree.
The course provides skills training in the art of acting and the business of acting, in a versatile range of contexts including commercial live theatre, recorded media, and educational and community settings. From a business perspective, you will be introduced to business concepts including marketing, budgeting and entrepreneurship, in order to ensure that upon graduation, you are able to market yourself professionally.
Graduates have a real opportunity to develop work outside in the professional world and development across a variety of theatre spaces and environments. They extend the range of their skills across various professional performing spaces. They are industry ready and work from the beginning in a professional environment as a strong ensemble. Very high-quality and experienced industry leaders who still work in professional practice who are very industry connected.
Marcus Romer, Theatre and Film Director, quoted June 2023