Course Introduction

This new three-year BA Honours degree is designed to develop your acting skills in preparation for working in the performance industry. It aims to provide a solid grounding in the practical and intellectual skills necessary for a successful career in stage, screen, digital and media industries.

Led by a team of inspiring staff with extensive experience working across the industry and within higher education, you will embark on a creative journey that aims to provide you with the tools necessary to excel in your chosen field.

About the course

This is an actor training course, predominantly taught through practical exploration and rehearsal, underpinned by research, practitioner study and critical reflection. Your training will focus on vocal, physical and emotional skills enabling you to communicate character and narrative effectively in a broad range of dramatic styles and genres. You will have the opportunity to create your own original work, enabling you to explore areas of specific and personal interest and to find your own creative voice.

Year 1 (Level 4) modules are planned to include:

Performance skills
Contemporary theatre: performance and context
Classical theatre: performance and context
Media performance

Year 2 (Level 5) modules are planned to include:

Screen acting
Independent practice
Physical theatre
Ensemble performance

Year 3 (Level 6) modules are planned to include:

Industry practice
Small-scale theatre
Major performance
Major independent project

Performing arts facilities

Our performing arts courses boast some of the best facilities of any performing arts degree provider in the country.
Our 200 capacity theatre built in 2019 is our showpiece but it’s the sprung floor dance studios, rehearsal rooms and intimate performance spaces that enhance our offer to our performing arts students.

Our show season attracts audiences from across the city and beyond and our rolling programme of visits and performance workshops from some of the industry’s most prominent and talented artists means our students get lots of hands-on training and a unique insight into the varying career pathways in performing arts.

Useful links:

Nottingham College is proud to have been awarded the Teaching Excellence Framework Bronze Award for high quality student experience and outcomes. You can read more about this on the Office for Students website.

Course Information

Qualification

Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Acting validated by The Open University

Level

Level 6

Entry Requirements

We expect applicants to be working at (or to demonstrate competency at) Level 2 or above in English/literacy and maths/numeracy. We accept GCSE passes in English Language and maths at Grades 9 to 4 (previously A* to C).

Applicants must also have a minimum of 48 UCAS points from study at Level 3:

At least two A Levels at A2
BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma
International Baccalaureate
Access to HE Diploma
T levels

Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

Applicants may be invited to attend an audition and informal interview. This can be held either on-campus here at the College or remotely.

Mature applicants not meeting the standard entry criteria but with relevant industry or life experience are very welcome to apply.

Teaching & Assessment

A combination of traditional and innovative assessment methods: including case studies, group projects, live briefs, peer review, research projects, critical reflection and presentations. All assessments focus on one, or a combination of exploration, preparation, rehearsal, performance and written response, there are no written examinations.

Progression

Previous graduates have moved directly into the performance industry, teaching, drama production, youth and social work, fitness training, events management and related work in the creative arts and leisure industries.

Additional Information

Nottingham College is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.

You can view the Open University Students Guide 2022 here.

In addition, you can view the OU Validated Award Regulations here.

This programme is subject to validation.