Skip page header and navigation

Acting (Full-time) (BA Hons)

Carmarthen
3 Years Full-Time
64 UCAS Points

Our Acting programme has been designed to provide you with the performance, technical, creative, and professional skills relevant to working in the performance and creative industries. The programme is highly practical and industry-focused, with a multi-skilled approach that includes the development of a variety of performance styles, such as scripted characterisation, improvisation and acting for the screen. There is also a strong emphasis on creative collaboration across the Performing Arts portfolio.

The programme is vocational in nature, reflecting current trends within the creative industries.

Focus is placed on nurturing and training professional practitioners and developing your in-depth knowledge and understanding of current working practices within the creative industries. This is achieved through a variety of skills based modules and by working with industry professionals throughout the programme.

You will develop the ability to work independently and to convey personal expression and imagination through practical workshops and rehearsal room processes, employing appropriate acting, performance, creative and making skills.

The skills and training embedded in the programme will equip you for a portfolio career in performance, self-employment and entrepreneurship. These skills are transferable to many other areas of industry, such as producing, media development and project management. You will also gain practical skills in teaching and workshop leading.

UWTSD ranked first in Wales for Drama, Dance and Cinematics.
Complete University Guide 2023.

Course details

Start date:
Study modes:
  • On-campus
  • Full-time
Language:
  • English
  • Bilingual
Institution code:
T80
UCAS code:
W410
Course length:
3 Years Full-Time
Entry requirements:
64 UCAS Points

Tuition Fees 2023/24 and 24/25
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year

Why choose this course?

01
Assessments are focused on practical skills – no written exams or dissertations.
02
Learn from, and collaborate with experienced, fully trained professionals who have worked on stage, TV and film – gaining connections along the way.
03
Explore different genres from contemporary writers to the absurd and Shakespeare.
04
Work with other students to create artistic pieces.
05
Study abroad available in the US.
06
100% of UWTSD’s Acting students agreed that staff have made the subject interesting — National Student Survey 2022.

What you will learn

The first year of the Acting (BA) programme concentrates on development of the basic blocks of any actor’s training: Movement, Musical Performance, Improvisation and Acting, as well as developing study and collaborative skills.

The second year builds on these techniques, as we practically explore how these skills are applied to different areas of work, such as performing Shakespeare, contemporary plays and acting on screen.

The final year concentrates on applying training to a professional rehearsal setting as you perform in public productions.  You will develop your skills in small scale projects as well as a major interdisciplinary production and also a site-specific/studio theatre production.

Exposure to these types of processes, along with an Independent project module, is your opportunity to explore your specific career path and will prepare you for your entry into the creative industries and beyond.

Throughout the course, students are supported by tutors and industry professionals as they build their confidence, techniques and cultivate their creativity as collaborators and performers.

Compulsory

Musical Performance

(20 credits)

Voice and Movement

(20 credits)

Learning in the Digital Era

(20 credits)

Acting

(20 credits)

Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference

(20 credits)

Improvising and Devising

(20 credits)

Optional

Personal Project

(20 credits)

Compulsory

Script, Rehearsal and Performance

(20 credits)

Short Film Production

(20 credits)

Performing Shakespeare

(20 credits)

Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation

(20 credits)

Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment

(20 credits)

Optional

Personal Project

(20 credits)

International Study Abroad

(20 credits)

Work Placement

(20 credits)

Specialised Performance Practice

(20 credits)

Drama and Theatre in Education

(20 credits)

Compulsory

Independent Project

(40 credits)

Site-Specific Theatre

(30 credits)

Professional Practice

(20 credits)

Major Project

(30 credits)

Optional

Individual Project

(20 credits)

International Independent Study Abroad

(60 credits)

Personal Project

(30 credits)

Work Placement

(30 credits)

Course Page Disclaimer

  • We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals. 

    For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.

testimonial

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for assessments and feedback (NSS 2023) meaning the comments you get back from your work will help you learn. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students us as Top 10 in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality. Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Accommodation

Carmarthen Accommodation

Carmarthen Accommodation

Carmarthen has a variety of accommodation and we guarantee accommodation for 1st Years with availability for your 2nd and 3rd Years. Based on our Carmarthen campus you will be right in the middle of everything, with options to suit all budgets. 

Further information

  • Entry is based on individual merit and 64 UCAS Points.

    Once an application has been made you will be invited by the Programme Manager to audition and interview for the course.

    The audition:  

    This can be completed either in person on campus via a video conferencing platform (e.g. Zoom or Teams).

    Your audition speech (one speech) needs to approximately 2 minutes long. It can be from any theatre play of your own choosing, but not from a TV, Film or Musical Theatre scripts.

    The interview:

    Arrangements will be made for you to either visit the campus for an in person interview/workshop (or we can organise an interview via a video conferencing platform. (e.g. Zoom or Teams).

    Offers will only be made after successfully completing an audition and interview.

  • Performances/Events
    Students regularly have opportunities to take part in performances/events, through which we can see growth and application of skills and knowledge.

    Regular tutorials
    We hold formal, and informal, tutorials throughout the degree. Each student can discuss their work with the module tutor or Programme Manager during tutorials. We look at practical development, conceptual growth and future intentions.

    Presentations
    Presentations normally take place at the end of a module, exhibition or performance, in order to measure a student’s performance against assessment criteria.

    Process workbooks
    At level 4 & 5, students will document their process and practical work in a workbook which demonstrates their learning and individual pathway. At level 6, students write about and reflect on their practice and process in short written tasks and practical presentations.

    During this course, students may be required to explore texts containing themes and issues that might be perceived as challenging.

  • Extra costs to be borne by the student

    As an institution, we seek to continually enhance the student experience and as a result, additional costs may be incurred by the student on activities that will add value to their education. Where possible these costs will be kept to a minimum with additional activities being optional.

    Field trips and placement costs

    Field trips will be available for students, which are optional. Costs for UK and International trips will be provided at the beginning of the academic year. 

    Students undertaking placements abroad will incur travel, living and possibly accommodation costs. The amount will depend upon location and current state of the UK pound. For students undertaking placements in the USA, additional visa costs will apply.

    Students will be expected to pay four weeks prior to field trips taking place. Travel and visa costs for overseas placements, three months before departure.

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

  • Embrace the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at universities in the US or Canada. We have exchange links with the following institutions -

    • California State University, Fullerton
    • California State University, Long Beach
    • Douglas College, Vancouver
    • University of North Carolina, Greensboro
  • Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers and further study, including:

    • Acting – theatre, TV & Film
    • Corporation role play & training
    • Applied drama
    • Education
    • Postgraduate study/research
    • Voiceover & narration