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Acting and Contemporary Theatre

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 10/2026
  • Undergraduate
East 15 Acting School, Loughton
More about University of Essex

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

East 15 Acting School’s BA Acting and Contemporary Theatre course is renowned not only for its pioneering, highly influential training program, but also as a creative hub that produces original, bold theatrical work.

This unique and highly challenging pathway is dedicated to training multi-talented actors. We combine developing your skills as a performer with experimentation in European physical theatre, devising, creative writing, composition and cross-media art, allowing you to expand into roles such as actor/musician, actor/writer and actor/choreographer. The training is inspired by leading contemporary international companies such as Complicite, the Schaubühe and the Wooster Group.

Our philosophy sees the actor as an independent, inventive and entrepreneurial ‘artist’, and gives you the confidence and the competencies necessary to realise your artistic inclinations.

This course is taught at our picturesque Loughton Campus which is located on the edge of East London and is just a short 30 minutes by underground train from the heart of the capital’s West End theatre district.

View more undergraduate courses from East 15 Acting School, including further Actor training programs as well as behind the scenes courses in Creative Producing and Stage & Production Management.

Modules

Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • East 15 Acting School, Loughton

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 10/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W441
Institution code:
E70
Campus name:
East 15 Acting School, Loughton
Campus Code:
L
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Essex has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W441
Institution code:
E70
Campus name:
East 15 Acting School, Loughton
Campus Code:
L

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

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Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 32 points

to include a minimum of 2 full A-levels or equivalent

A level - EE

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP

Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.

Access to HE Diploma - P: 45 credits

T Level - P

Pass with E in the core

At Essex, we will consider your whole application – not just your grades. For our East 15 courses we may consider applicants who do not meet the published requirements if successful at audition/interview based on individual potential.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Audition

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Essex, we will consider your whole application – not just your grades. For our East 15 courses we may consider applicants who do not meet the published requirements if successful at audition/interview based on individual potential.

Learn more on the University of Essex website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9790Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790Year 1
Scotland£9790Year 1
Wales£9790Year 1
Channel Islands£9790Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9790Year 1
EU£22600Year 1
International£22600Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fees displayed are for the 2026-27 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.

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