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A person in a dark suit and hat, wearing face paint, stands behind a table with arms outstretched and mouth open wide. Their theatrical presence hints at an acting degree. The background features unfinished wooden panels and scattered tools, while the focused lighting creates a dramatic effect.
Acting students warming up
A group of barefoot individuals, wearing black, perform expressive gestures while standing in a line on stage. The green exit sign glows in the background. Each person, trained through an acting degree, is engaged in dynamic movements, creating an atmosphere of intense, synchronized performance.

Acting BA (Hons)

Develop the creative, technical, and professional skills required to become a successful actor for stage, screen, and recorded media.

Key information

How to Apply
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Our BA Acting course provides a vibrant, creative and supportive space for actors in training who want to become confident, innovative artists. Whether you dream of a career in theatre, screen, or recorded media, our expert teachers, industry professionals and researchers will help you develop the essential skills to succeed. From practical techniques to critical insights, we’ll support you every step of the way as you shape your future in the arts.

Spotlight partnership

  • Spotlight logo

    Spotlight is a casting platform in the UK that connects actors, agents, and casting directors. It's used by production companies, broadcasters, and advertising agencies. Our partnership with Spotlight offers access to the largest online casting resource in the UK, as well as a wealth of support, content and events specifically tailored towards graduate actors.

Why study with us

Course details

Year 1

Core Units

This introductory unit launches your journey into the professional world of acting and performance. Through a combination of practical workshops, seminars and independent study, you will delve into the key techniques and guiding principles of the acting process: voice, movement, play, concentration, embodied awareness, imagination and active listening. Practical sessions exploring improvisation, scene study, rehearsals and presentations, combined with investigative approaches to research and critical reflection, will equip you with the essential tools for approaching text, making creative choices, developing your own personal practice and producing a body of creative work.

40 credits

This unit expands and develops core acting skills and understanding of performance theory. A focus on developing and embodying character in specific environments draws on various acting approaches integrating text analysis, animal work, points of centre, point of lead, sensory work, and is informed by continuous critical reflection on your learning. Together, these elements prepare you for observing, exploring, researching and creating a distinct physical and vocal characterisation. The unit also introduces you to the devising process. Exploring themes that move you and experimenting with aspects of collaborative creation, lead to an understanding of how to develop and structure your own creative voice.

80 credits

Core Projects

The first week of each academic year is called Wayfinding week. It’s an opportunity get your bearings, establish new connections and, after your first year at Norwich, re-establish old ones. Your course team will talk you through the year ahead and explain the expectations for the year. We’ll help you navigate new encounters and identify areas to focus on as you progress through your course.

An important element of Wayfinding Week is taking part in our annual ‘Make it Manifest(o)’ project. Your course team will introduce the project in which we’ll ask you to consider your hopes and vision of the year ahead at Norwich and work with students in other year groups to bring your ideas to life. The project culminates in a celebratory display of work across the campus. The project will help you to develop your critical creativity through different approaches, concepts, and mediums. You’ll encounter diverse perspectives and build friendships and networks within our university community.

Interchange weeks are opportunities to step away from your disciplinary studies and engage in projects, workshops, visits and talks that extend your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you learn a new skill or take part in a global challenge project with students from other courses, you will come away with new insights to take back to your course. Interchange is part of the schedule for all Norwich students with sessions held across and beyond the campus led by university staff, visiting lecturers and students.

Learning and teaching

This course is taught through a mixture of learning and teaching methods including:

Assessment

Assessment for this course is entirely coursework-based, meaning there are no exams. Your progress will be evaluated through the projects and assignments you complete for each unit. Throughout the year, you’ll receive ongoing feedback to help you refine your work and develop your skills. To support your learning and ensure you achieve the course outcomes, we use a variety of assessment methods, including:

  • Finished pieces of work
  • Presentations
  • Written work
  • Your research
  • A reflective journal

Find out more about Assessment at Norwich

Some of the people you’ll be working with

Our facilities

Look around our city-centre campus, and you will find studios, media labs, and creative spaces in 13 buildings that sit among the cafés, bars, independent galleries and shops of Norwich’s cultural quarter.

Here to help you succeed

The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.

Employability and career development are integral to every unit of our courses, ensuring students are well-prepared for the industry. Our students go on to secure exciting roles, launch successful businesses, and make a lasting impact in many sectors worldwide.

From day one, you’ll also get specialist career advice from our Business and Employability Team to help support you as you plan your career.

A group of barefoot individuals, wearing black, perform expressive gestures while standing in a line on stage. The green exit sign glows in the background. Each person, trained through an acting degree, is engaged in dynamic movements, creating an atmosphere of intense, synchronized performance.

Typical career paths

BA (Hons) Acting will give you the confidence, skills and knowledge you need to succeed as an artist in the ever-changing world of performance. Not only will you be well-prepared to secure work as an actor in stage, film and TV, but you’ll also explore new, innovative and cross-disciplinary performance practices. You’ll graduate ready to make your mark in the industry and beyond.

  • Acting for stage and screen
  • Voiceover for commercials, narration, radio, and games
  • Performance artist
  • Broadcast presenting
  • Community arts
  • Arts administration
  • Producing
  • Directing for stage and screen
  • Teaching
  • Drama therapy

92% of our graduates are in employment or further education within six months of graduating”

Graduate Outcomes 2021

Entry requirements

Norwich University of the Arts welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds.

If the qualification that you are studying is not shown, do not worry as we are able to accept other pre-entry qualifications as well as combinations of different qualifications.

A/AS Levels (GCE)

GCE A/AS Levels 3 A-level qualifications at grades BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points) or above. Where candidates are not taking 3 A-levels, Norwich University of the Arts will consider combinations of A-level/AS-level and other Level 3 qualifications.

BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF)

Distinction, Merit, Merit in an art, design or media related subject

BTEC Diploma (QCF or RQF)

Distinction*, Distinction* in an art, design or media related subject

T Levels

A T Level in any subject with overall grade A* to C (Pass)

UAL Extended Diploma

Merit

UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)

Pass

International Baccalaureate Diploma

A minimum of 26 points

Audition Advice and Guidance

If your application is successful, you will be invited to an audition. We understand you may be nervous, as much rides upon the outcome of any audition or interview. However, we work hard to ensure that your experience is a positive one.

For your audition, you’ll need to prepare two contrasting monologues—one serious and one comic. Whether performing in-person or online, ensure your monologues showcase your range and emotional depth. Think of each monologue as a mini-play, exploring shifts in tone, energy, and mood to bring the character’s journey to life.

Upcoming audition dates

Spaces are limited so we suggested that you book early.

  • Wednesday 9 April

Offers are typically made within two weeks of the audition.

Student sitting on folding chair

The audition process

  • Two monologues – one serious, one comic.
  • Stick with contemporary texts and try to focus on film, plays or radio dramas.
  • Choose two contrasting monologues that allow you to show that something has changed for the character during the course of the performance.
  • Make them something that you can relate to, both in terms of the character’s age and their personality.
  • Approximately three minutes each.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year

  • BA course (three year): £9,535 per year
  • Level 5 Diploma Year (optional): £9,535 year

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used is expected to be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX). We would confirm this in advance to you of each academic year. 

Find our more about fees and funding

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses will need to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You’ll need our university UCAS code (N39) as well as your course code which you’ll find on your course page.

When you register with UCAS you will need include your previous and current qualifications information, personal statement, and reference.

Once we receive your application form through UCAS, we will email confirmation that we have received it and will give you access and instructions for logging into the applicant portal. Our decision will be communicated via UCAS.

Applying for an undergraduate degree

Student work

Undergraduate open days

Get a taste of life at Norwich, learn more about our courses, our campus and meet the creators and makers you’ll be learning from.

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