Acting

The BA (Hons) Acting degree at University Centre Leeds provides comprehensive training in both contemporary and classical acting techniques, preparing you for performance across stage and screen. The course focuses on developing core skills in voice, movement, and characterisation, while encouraging creative collaboration through projects with other disciplines within the creative arts.

You’ll explore a range of techniques for contexts within acting to include:

• Physical Theatre – exploring advanced movement and physical performance skills such as contemporary dance, combat and martial arts, motion capture, and aerial circus techniques.

• Contemporary Performance Practice – developing skills in radio and screen presenting, podcasting, and voice-over, with an emphasis on versatility across modern performance media. \

By combining intensive practical training with professional development opportunities, Acting at University Centre Leeds equips you with the creative, physical, and technical skills needed to thrive as adaptable and industry-ready performers in today’s diverse performance landscape.

Course Modules

You will study a variety of acting styles that will help you progress a career in the professional industry.

Modules may include:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Stage Acting Fundamentals – 20 credits

Explore the craft of stage acting through voice, movement, and text-based performance.

Voice and Movement in Practice – 20 credits

Discover how your voice and body bring performance to life. Through movement, contemporary dance, voice, and stage combat, you’ll build strength, flexibility, and expressive control, while developing discipline, reflection, and professional habits essential for confident, dynamic acting.

The Creative Professional – 20 credits

Discover what it means to be a creative professional. Explore industry roles, study inspiring practitioners, and develop your own career plan.

Screen Acting Fundamentals – 20 credits

Discover the craft of screen acting through techniques such as Meisner, Adler, Mamet, and improvisation.

Voice and Movement in Performance – 40 credits

Explore voice and movement for classical and physical theatre through energetic, hands-on workshops.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Collaboration – 20 credits

Experience the power of collaboration! Work with peers from different creative disciplines to develop innovative projects, expand your practice, and build a supportive professional network.

Developing Your Creative Practice – 40 credits

Take your acting further in classical or physical theatre. Refine your skills, experiment with new collaborators, and explore stage and digital performance. Supported by mentorship, you’ll develop your artistic voice, professional networks, and confidence to take creative risks and shape your future in the performing arts.

Character Creation: Voice and Movement in Digital Performance– 20 credits

Bring digital characters to life! Explore scriptwriting, voice, movement, and performance techniques for digital media, such as MoCap, animation, and games.

Acting Techniques in Performance: Screen and Stage – 40 credits

Take your acting further in screen and stage contexts. Explore techniques such as Meisner, Brecht, Stanislavski, and Shakespeare techniques while honing characterisation, vocal and physical expression, and adaptability.

Year 3 (Level 6)

The Commercial Actor – 20 credits

Explore the actor’s role in media, advertising, and digital platforms. Learn how performance, voice, and image shape audiences, and develop a professional digital portfolio, self-promotion skills, and critical awareness, preparing you to succeed in the dynamic world of commercial acting and contemporary performance.

Self-Producing Project – 40 credits

Become a self-producing artist! Develop a full project proposal for Arts Council England funding, including budgets, timelines, and supporting materials. Learn to plan, communicate, and present your artistic ideas professionally, gaining the skills to secure funding and make your creative projects a reality.

Developing Your Performance Pathways – 20 credits

Take the lead in classical or physical theatre performance. Direct and showcase your skills in a live stage project, applying advanced voice and movement techniques. Reflect on collaboration, creative choices, and professional practice while building confidence, creativity, and leadership for a career in performance.

Performance Showcase – 40 credits

Showcase your talent! Apply your acting and performance skills in public performances, demonstrating creativity, collaboration, and artistic identity. This module highlights your professional readiness and provides a platform to impress audiences and potential employers in the performing arts industry.

Most of the assessments are practical performances.

The academic assessments focus on and reflect your practical work. All academic assessment methods reflect real life tasks done by Actors in the real world. Some examples of these tasks are reflective interviews, presentations, research reports and skills audits.