Acting

This 3 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.

This award is validated by The Open University.

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:

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

Year 2 (Level 5) modules:

-Screen acting
-Independent practice
-Physical theatre
-Ensemble performance

Year 3 (Level 6) modules:

-Industry practice
-Small-scale theatre
-Major performance
-Major independent project

Specialist facilities

Performing Arts is based at our new £58 million City Hub campus in Nottingham City Centre’s Canalside district and offers state of the art facilities. These include a range of specially-designed rehearsal studios for acting and dance, a 160-seat versatile theatre space with wardrobe stores, workshops and industry-standard stage lighting and sound. Students also use our brand new Digital Media Centre with TV studio, audio recording studio and multi-media suites.

Assessments

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.

Qualification awarded:

Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Acting, awarded by The Open University (OU)

Bursaries

We want our courses to be accessible to students from any background, so we’ve put together a cash support package in the form of non-repayable bursaries to provide financial help where it’s really needed. Details for 2025 - 26 will be advertised once approved by the university regulator – the Office for Students (OfS). Please check our website - www.nottinghamcollege.ac.uk - for more information.

Your career and 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.