MA Acting

• Solo Showcase performance supported by Theatre Royal Plymouth.

• Continue to work professionally alongside your studies: 154 placements this year for directors, producers, practitioners and performers including with paid placements with Jermyn Street Theatre (West End), Kneehigh and at Theatre Royal Plymouth.

• Train and study your craft with leading researchers and practitioners.

• World class, award-winning and fully accessible studios and theatre spaces.

• Year 1

• Core modules

  • Dramaturgy for Actors (MACT702)

    Integrated with level 6 online 'Dramaturgy' module, students on this module will share some learning resources and experiences with final year BA students of the Directing programme. Rich blended-learning utilising online tasks and webinars is complemented by face-to-face tutorials and the development of practical performance work from play-texts.

  • Actor's Digital Profile (MACT704)

    This module will focus on exploring the different digital strategies and platforms, which serve to challenge and extend students' existing knowledge base and digital practice. This module is employment focused, using a part digital blended learning model to teach students key online materials to enhance and support their professional profiles and their personal brand.

  • Solo Showcase (MACT705)

    Being able to conceive, develop, market, promote and perform a tech-light one-hander show suitable for any festival or small-scale theatre venue is an invaluable employability skill, and this module facilitates the development of this skill through a 'real world' performance opportunity. Working with staff you will develop a full length one-hander to be performed either at Theatre Royal Plymouth Lab or The House Studio theatre which will showcase your performance abilities and which you can parlay into further professional employment, extending your audience and collaborator networks.

  • Philosophies of Training (MAPT703)

    A seminar based, research focused module in which students digest and analyse critical theory and philosophy in relation to varied training practice. In addition to skills acquisition, engagement with a form of training is also regarded as a means of self-development and improvement, and this is perhaps the emergent ideology of the contemporary. Students will learn about the historical and ideological components of training regimes and examine the politics, ideologies and concepts that define the notion and activity of training.

  • Advanced Acting Workshop (MACT706)

    Advanced Acting Workshop provides students with a rich and highly practical learning experience with fora and tutorials alongside the practitioner-led training classes, teaching European laboratory theatre approaches to actor training and the craft and practice of acting.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MA Acting programme specification 6950

Our audition process is inclusive and accessible, and completely free. Applicants should submit a ‘showreel’ (all common media file formats are acceptable) comprising footage of two pre-selected audition pieces (max. 3 minutes each) and a personal statement (max 2 minutes). Up to 10 minutes additional showreel material can be included professional projects. 

Applicants will normally hold a 2:1 degree or above from a UK university, or equivalent professional experience. Candidates without a first degree will have to demonstrate evidence of a sustained engagement in relevant professional practice. Applicants need not necessarily hold an undergraduate degree in a theatre-related subject in order to apply.

IELTS score of 7 or equivalent required for overseas students. 

Accredited Experience Prior Learning (APEL) and Accredited Certified Prior Learning (APCL) up to 60 credits /equivalency will be considered on a case by case basis. Submission of additional showreel and a professional CV, as well as 500 word contextualising statement would be required in this case.

Initial enquiries should be made to the Programme Leader, Dr Alex Cahill (alex.cahill@plymouth.ac.uk).