Acting for Stage and Screen

Our new BA Acting for Stage and Screen has been designed to reflect these changes, offering a dynamic and contemporary training experience that prepares students for careers across theatre, television, film, and digital media. This course builds on the foundations of traditional actor training while embracing the latest industry trends, including screen performance techniques, motion capture, voice work, and self-taping for auditions.

Rooted in professional practice, this course draws on our strong industry connections to deliver a curriculum that is rigorous, practical, and intellectually stimulating. Students will develop a deep understanding of performance craft, storytelling, and industry professionalism while exploring their creative identity as actors.

With a strong emphasis on employability, professional development, and sustainability in the arts, our BA Acting for Stage and Screen equips graduates with the skills, confidence, and adaptability to thrive in an ever-changing entertainment industry. Whether their passion lies in live performance, screen acting, or new digital platforms, this course empowers students to harness their talents and build flourishing careers in the performing arts industry.

UON’s Drama degree was ranked 3rd based on overall student positivity out of all universities in England, according to the latest 2025 National Student Survey (NSS)*

Our Acting course has been successful in the 2026 Guardian University Guide:

Ranked 20th for Satisfied with Feedback for Drama and Dance**

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one-to-one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study, you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026***.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand-new laptop**** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course textbook is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

The Northampton Employment Promise

• We’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score across all NSS questions for this subject area across all modes and levels at UK Universities
✱✱ Data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide Drama and Dance Subject table, filtered by Satisfied with Feedback
✱✱✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information
✱✱✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information

All modules are compulsory as they work together as a cohesive and holistic creative actor-training programme.

STAGE 1:
• Improvisation for Actors
• Vocal Technique for Actors
• Movement Techniques for Actors
• Ensemble Voice and Body
• The Actor and The Text on Screen
• The Actor and The Text on Stage

STAGE 2:
• Devised Performance
• Expressive Movement and Technology
• Expressive Voice and Technology
• Screen Acting
• Professional Portfolio
• Creative Collaborations

STAGE 3:
• Professional Performance
• Socially Engaged Performance
• Professional Voice and Movement
• Industry Preparation
• Fringe Festival Performance

Module information is quoted for 25/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly. 26/27 entry modules will be released in June 2026.

The course is mainly assessed through practical work, performances and presentations, worth 80% of your final grade, but there is some written work in the form of journals and industry relevant tasks such as character studies and funding applications, worth 20% of your final grade.