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*The Sunday Times Best Place to Live guide, 2024.
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Acting
Unleash your creative potential. This course will empower you to become an innovative actor, trained for the 21st Century.
Course Overview
-
W550 -
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
3 Years -
16 Sep 2024
This course will equip you with the skills, techniques, and knowledge needed for a career in theatre and screen.
As part of this course, you’ll:
- Study a skills-led acting curriculum that will introduce you to various performance disciplines through live and mediated platforms
- Be exposed to multicultural approaches to acting techniques
- Be encouraged to critically reflect on your skills to become a creative, intelligent, and culturally sensitive acting professional
- Have practical opportunities to work with experienced practitioners in theatre including actor-trainers, acting professionals, directors and performers
- Learn through practical projects, workshops, lectures, and performances
Prepare for acting in the 21st Century
This highly practical and inclusive course will help foster a deeper understanding of the discipline and industry.
Study in a diverse and cultural city
Leeds is a city with a truly diverse cultural offer. With so much to explore and discover, you'll never run out of things to do. As a student in Leeds, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a dynamic and inclusive environment that will enrich your learning experience and broaden your horizons.
Leeds’ arts scene
There's a thriving arts scene in Leeds, with renowned theatre makers, actors, and artists emerging from the city. You can also look forward to exciting festivals and events that showcase the city's multicultural heritage. With so much creativity and cultural exploration on offer, you'll be able to engage with the arts, celebrate diversity, delve into history, and savour the flavours of this remarkable city.
We’ll support you
We'll be there to support you every step of the way, including the option to undertake a sandwich year professional placement. You could work alongside and network with one of the many artistic companies in Leeds, or choose to travel abroad to work for an international organisation. Our students have previously completed placements at Northern Opera in Leeds, BMotion Festival in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, and with theatre company Third Angel based in Sheffield.
Learn from experienced practitioners
All of the staff teaching on your course are practising actors, directors, performers and theatre makers, which means our teaching is based on real professional experience. You'll also have the chance to attend additional workshops delivered by external theatre practitioners and companies
Why study Acting at Leeds Beckett University...
- Take a holistic approach - your training will combine global arts and body practices with traditional Western practices
- Learn from specialist practitioners - the highly practical curriculum offers authentic experiences aligned with the creative industries, so you’ll gain the necessary skills and experiences to thrive in the acting industry
- Study a course with an innovative assessment and feedback model – it will promote your wellbeing while enabling you to feel industry-ready
- Choose a programme that is career-focused - with industry partnerships, professional development opportunities, and practical training that will equip you with the skills and experience you’ll need to succeed in the job market
Leeds School of Arts ‘When I feel like I’m sinking’ is a poem to mark the opening of the Leeds School of Arts building at Leeds Beckett University. Recited by the poet and Leeds Beckett graduate, Zodwa Nyoni, this short film showcases the creative work produced by our Performing Arts, Music and Sound, Filmmaking, and Creative Technologies students and graduates.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
112
points required
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
Entry requirements
112
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 112 points required.
(Minimum 72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
GCSEs
GCSE English Language at Grade 4 or above (Grade C for GCSEs taken before 2017) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points.T Levels
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, including a C or above on the core.Scottish Awards
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade B or above.Irish Leaving Certificate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 subjects at higher level of which at least 3 must be grade H3 or above.International baccalaureate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.Audition Required
Applicants who meet the academic entry requirements will be invited to submit an online video of a solo performance work of their own creation. Further details will be sent out through your UCAS Track account.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Our commitment to help every student succeed
Leeds Beckett University is committed to ensuring that every student with the potential to succeed at our University is able to do so regardless of their background. For this reason we operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we take into account a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff (above).Our contextual admissions criteria are:
- Home postcode is in an area where few people go to University (POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2 area. This can be checked on the Office for Students website).
- Declared disability on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants).
- Over the age of 21 on the 1st of September before the course starts.
- Declared as a care experienced on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants).
Mature Applicants
Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our 'Recognition of Prior Learning' policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable. All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade C in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
International baccalaureate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.Audition Required
Applicants who meet the academic entry requirements will be invited to submit an online video of a solo performance work of their own creation. Further details will be sent out through your UCAS Track account.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Teaching & Learning
What you'll learn
This module will offer an immersive exploration into the fundamental principles of actor training. It is highly practical and you'll have the opportunity to explore the core elements of the actor's craft. This will include character development, voice modulation, physicality, and improvisation. Through a series of hands-on exercises, scene work, and performance projects, you'll start to cultivate a solid understanding of acting techniques. You'll gain the skills necessary to bring characters to life on stage or screen. We'll place emphasis on fostering creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. This will set the stage for your journey through the rest of the course.
Build on the foundational skills you gained in Acting 1 and prepare for your second year of study. This module will challenge you to deepen your understanding of actor training, and apply it to a variety of contexts and styles. We'll continue to focus on practical application and on supporting you to develop into a versatile actor capable of tackling complex roles and engaging your audience.
What you'll learn
Take an intra-cultural approach to actor training and understand the poetential of taking an intercultural approach to technique. Alongside developing your practice, you'll complete a weekly reading which will enable you to critically engage with different approaches to actor training. Your reading will also enable you to think critically about the socio-political context of practices. As part of this module you'll complete a series of exercises to camera that demonstrate different actor training approaches and the potential for intercultural approaches. You'll also complete a critical essay that outlines your understanding of the socio-political aspects of actor training.
Work under the direction of a theatre director to produce a full-length live production. This module will enable you to begin to consolidate your understanding of training regimes and approaches to actor training, as driven by the directorial vision of the work. You'll be assessed primarily on the quality of your performance, your application of actor training techniques, and your engagement with the rehearsal process. You'll be assessed via a practical live performance, which will be presented at an agent showcase, and via a viva voce in which you'll be able to talk in depth around significant learning moments in your rehearsal journey.
We'll approach physical training from multiple perspectives on this module and focus on the development of character physicality and training for performance. Your studies will also include mindfulness practices to encourage you to take a holistic approach to embodiment. As with other modules, we'll engage with intercultural practices of directors, choreographers, and movement experts from different cultural backgrounds as a way of developing considered characters and physicality that are appropriate to form. This module will take an interdisciplinary and technology-driven approach to movement direction. It will incorporate movement training for motion capture technology, virtual reality, and other digital tools. Ultimately, we'll guide you to develop an embodied approach to actor training in preparation for future arts practice.
This module will prepare you to work in front of the camera rather than a live audience; this might include performances for television, screen, or even games. As such, a variety of scenarios will be used to test your dexterity. We'll focus on developing your personal process to adjust and apply your acting, vocal and physical skills to the context of the screen. You'll be assessed through one practical component which will include three pieces of work: a solo performance to camera, a small group piece to camera, and a whole ensemble performance to camera directed by your module leader.
Option modules may include
Examine the phenomenon of celebrity through performance practice. You'll explore how celebrity is constructed, performed, and sustained in various social media and cultural contexts. Through readings, discussions, and practical exercises, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between celebrity, performance, and identity. You'll draw on strategies of contemporary and/or historical celebrities to create your own performance persona. You'll then investigate an aspect of celebrity performance culture on social media through practice and contextualise your performance and practical explorations by producing a statement. By the end of the module, you'll have a understand the complexities and contradictions of contemporary celebrity culture. You'll be confident engaging critically with the phenomenon through your practice.
Develop the skills and knowledge to write and direct for stage or screen. You'll practise analysing dramatic texts, study storytelling techniques, and explore the creation of original material. You'll be assessed based on your portfolios which will showcase your ability to apply your learning. On completion of this module you'll have gained a deep appreciation for the art and techniques of writing and directing. You'll be well-prepared to pursue your passions in this field.
What you'll learn
Gain a critical understanding of the body and its role in knowledge generation. We'll continue your actor training with a focus on research enquiry led through embodied attending. You'll learn in the studio through continued lecture-led technique classes and independent study. You'll also engage with classroom activities that will introduce you to research methodologies and practices. With this in mind, you'll choose your area of enquiry. For example, you might explore ways of understanding the body in performance, critically examine the relationship between actor training techniques and power, or develop an approach to actor training that privileges marginalised identities.
Option modules may include
This module is a performance making project. You'll respond to a series of real world application calls for a theatre, dance or performance festival. You'll experience the process of applying, creating and producing work for different festivals in a safe and supportive environment before reflecting on your work. Although this module will focus on the processes of making work for a festival context, this will not necessarily lead to a live project. However, your finished work might be considered to represent Leeds Beckett University at national or international festivals. This could include Dionysus Festival in Croatia, Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Romania, and Latitude Festival, Suffolk.
Your learning in this module will be based on the principles of socially engaged arts practices. We'll look at models of current practice, learn practical skills towards effective engagement with different communities, and develop a reflective, critical approach. You'll learn through practical workshops, technique classes, seminars and presentations. Discussions and seminars will introduce current critical discourses around across a variety of topics. For example, intergenerational performance practices, social inclusion and cultural diversity, dance and the elderly, early year work, and inclusive arts practices. Through critical discourse and analysis of such practices you'll develop a deeper understanding of the contexts, policies, vocabularies, and embodied knowledges relevant to each of these areas of practice. You'll demonstrate your understanding through by creating a product that either explores performance as a vehicle for social advocacy or responds to the needs of a particular community group.
Explore the relationship between the performer's body, the physical space in which they perform, and the various cultural, social, and political forces that shape the meanings of place. We'll use practical exploration to gain an understanding of the ways in which the body, space, and place interact to create cultural meaning. You'll also examine how cultural, social, and political contexts influence the creation of meaning in performance. We'll study how these factors shape the interpretation of the performer's body in space.
This module will enable you to work directly with a professional performance maker, external to the university, of national or international standing. You'll discover new vocabularies while developing existing methods for making work. You'll be encouraged to place emphasis on your own creative interests while working closely with the processes and provocations of the visiting artist. The work we'll develop on this practical and experiential module will be driven by the visiting artist, you and your fellow students, and your module tutor. You'll be encouraged to journal and/or record your learning and critical reflections.
During this module you'll be encouraged to source and attend film auditions. You'll consolidate your acting to screen training with your individual actor training regimes in a way that is sensitive to the work being made. You'll be assessed via a recorded performance to camera and a viva voce where you'll be able to talk in depth around significant learning moments in your rehearsal journey. The assessment will focus on the quality of your performance in the film which will include your interpretation of script and character. It will also take into account how you apply actor training techniques. Due to the nature of the projects, you'll be supported through practical supervisions rather than taught sessions.
Work under the direction of a theatre director to produce a full-length live production. Engaging with this module will enable you to consolidate the training regimes and approaches to actor training that we have developed over the course as driven by the directorial vision of the work. The style of your performance should be contemporary as you practise for the work you might take on after graduating. You'll be assessed primarily on the quality of your performance, your application of actor training techniques, and your engagement with the rehearsal process. You'll be assessed via a practical live performance, which will be presented at an agent showcase, and via a viva voce in which you'll be able to talk in depth around significant learning moments in your rehearsal journey.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
Fees & Funding hellooo
£9,250
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.
£16,000
International 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £16000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £2400.Fees & Funding
£9,250
For students entering in 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Study materials. We provide all core materials during your studies, including costumes or props on a case by case basis, although you may wish to purchase additional materials.
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Optional Costs
- Educational visits. Cost will vary depending on location and may be subsidised. Costs could include travel, accommodation and sustenance. When attendance is compulsory, travel, accommodation and tickets are paid for by the department
- Placement costs will vary, and you will need to pay for any additional travel. You will also need to provide any additional checks, such as DBS
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£16,000
For students entering in 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £16000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £2400.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Study materials. We provide all core materials during your studies, including costumes or props on a case by case basis, although you may wish to purchase additional materials.
Optional Costs
- Educational visits. Cost will vary depending on location and may be subsidised. Costs could include travel, accommodation and sustenance. When attendance is compulsory, travel, accommodation and tickets are paid for by the department
- Placement costs will vary, and you will need to pay for any additional travel. You will also need to provide any additional checks, such as DBS
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Leeds School of Arts performing arts facilities. Find out more about our industry-standard performing arts facilities.
Leeds School of Arts - The Theatre Explore our on-campus theatre and hear from staff and students on the course
Moving on up
Leeds Beckett climbs 40 places in the Complete University Guide 2024
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Creative Conversations Week 2024 - Peforming Arts Panel Find out more about the Performing Arts panel, which took place as part of the Creative Conversations Week 2024. Theatre and Performance student Alicia talks through who was on the panel and how she benefits from meeting industry experts as part of her course.
Career Prospects
On graduation from this course, you’ll be prepared for a range of career paths in the creative industry. You’ll have the skills necessary to pursue careers in traditional theatre productions, film and games acting, as well as directing, arts administration, and producing. Additionally, this course includes training for teaching and community arts management, so you’ll have a versatile skill set for a variety of job opportunities.
Dr Mark Flisher
Head of Subject / Leeds School Of Arts
Mark Flisher joined the School as a Senior Lecturer of Performance in February 2011, and took up Course Leadership of MA Performance in 2014. His research interests include representations of gender in UK and US performance art, performance theory, contemporary theatre, live art, digital performance, and the development of pedagogic strategies in creative practice.
Scholarships and bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that an education at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us for undergraduate study, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship or bursary to help with the cost of university. To find out if you are be eligible visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
We also offer a range of non-repayable scholarships for international students. To find out if you may be eligible visit our scholarships for international students page and select your home country from the drop-down list.
Our Graduate Promise
We have a dedicated team of people who will support you with all aspects of your career planning, from day one until 18 months after you graduate.
Getting you career ready is an integral part of your university life and this is embedded throughout your lectures and seminars. Outside of your course there is a wide range of support available to help you achieve your career goals, including:
- Getting ready to apply for jobs
- Working on your CV
- Interview skills and assessment centres
- Connecting with employers and organisations
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed.
Still thinking about your uni choices? Discover Uni has official information to help you decide. They provide statistics for courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities about their students.
