This Programme is delivered at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, which is a world renowned centre for actor training.

Candidates must satisfy the general admission requirements which are as follows

AUDITION

Entry to this programme is entirely on the basis of a practical audition selection process.

Auditions are held throughout the year and the process is in 2 parts – 1st round Audition [morning] and 2nd Round Audition [afternoon]. The requirements and criteria for audition are detailed in the Admissions and Funding Information, which is included in the prospectus, and A Guide to Audition and Training, which is sent to candidates on receipt of an Application for Audition. These are also published on published on our website.

UK Students

In addition to the audition, the school would normally expect a candidate to satisfy the following standard UEL entry requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years of age by December 31st in the year of entry (there are no upper age limits)
2. GCSE passes in five subjects including Maths and English Language. We will also accept a pass in the Key Skills qualification at Level 2 in place of GCSE English and Mathematics
3. In addition to GCSE passes, students should have UCAS tariff points of 160 points.

International Students

The criteria for admission onto the course are the student’s suitability and the perceived ability to complete the course successfully. This is principally demonstrated through an audition. International students may submit an initial audition using digital media, which will indicate to the School whether the candidate has a reasonable chance of successfully completing the 1st Round Audition (see Audition Information). DVD’s should be in British PAL format.

No formal qualifications

We also welcome applications from students who have gained appropriate skills through a wide range of vocational qualifications or suitable experience. Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certified Learning (ACL) processes. Such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes and skills level in order to satisfy the general regulations requirements and undertake this programme of study (from level 1only)

Candidates where English is not their first language

The BA (Hons) Acting course will be delivered in English. In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 (with no skill level below 5.0), or equivalent, is required.

The programme is designed to provide you with:

• The knowledge and skills to perform as an actor to professional industry standards whether in TV, Film, Theatre or Radio.
• Specialised skills in acting, voice, movement and singing.
• Transferable skills, especially in communication and self-presentation, team-work, independent research and critical analysis, which will allow you to operate successfully in a variety of fields.
• The knowledge and skills to be pro-active in the creation of employment opportunities.
  

The BA (Hons) Acting is a full time, closely structured programme delivered over 3 years. All modules are compulsory.

In Level 1 the curriculum focuses on the acquisition of technical skills, such as acting, voice, movement and singing. Rehearsals for projects allow you to put the techniques you have learnt into practice.

This very technical 1st year underpins the 2nd year where more time is given over to rehearsal and project work. Acting for TV, Film and Radio is introduced.

In the 3rd year technical classes take place on Mondays only with the rest of the week given over to rehearsals for public performances. You will act in a film and take part in a showcase in a West End Theatre for industry professionals, such as agents and casting directors. You will also be given advice on self-promotion tools such as Spotlight photographs, CV’s, letter writing, interview technique and mock auditions for theatre and TV.

Teaching will be by workshop, practical classes, tutorials and performance

Avondale Hall is situated 2 minutes from Clapham North Tube Station. It has a fully equipped 150 seat theatre and 70 seat black box studio theatre which are used for in-house and public performances. These spaces have dedicated lighting and sound equipment. The recording studio (used for radio classes) has a digital sound desk and computer based editing suite. In addition there is a large movement studio, smaller studios for acting, voice and singing, a student green room, changing rooms and a small learning resources room.

Each module is assessed though a combination of accumulative practice (rehearsal process, classwork) and presentation/performance

All contextual studies modules require written submissions such as personal development evaluations, reflective diaries, creative writing, critical commentaries on performance, essays, professional portfolios and dissertation (Level 3 only)

Selected students have the opportunity to take part in the annual workshops run by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon, The Wannamaker Festival held at the Globe Theatre, The BBC Carleton Hobbs Radio Award, The Spotlight Award and the Hobson’s Voice Over Competition.

Project work takes place in the following modules:

Level 1

• Introduction to Acting
• Projects

Level 2

• Workshops
• Recorded Media

Level 3

• Productions
• Film Project

Professional Preparation

You will be taught by a highly qualified team of industry professionals, many of whom continue to work at the highest levels within theatre, TV, film and radio.

• Acting for theatre
• Acting for TV
• Acting in Film
• Acting for Radio
• Theatre with Music
• Devising and Improvisation
• Advanced Movement and Voice for Actors
• Acting through Song
• Developing performance skills such as stage combat and social dance

• A creative and inspiring environment
• Rehearsal and performance
• Practical classes in acting, movement, voice and singing
• Working in groups
• Developing and researching characters
  

• To be equipped for a career as a professional actor
• A full learning experience with industry professionals
• The opportunity to expand your range of performance skills
• Confidence in your academic abilities
• Skills to support personal and professional development throughout your life

Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts is one of the world’s longest established theatre schools. The BA (Hons) Acting Programme is one of the country’s leading vocational acting courses with an emphasis on professional development and employability. Past students are currently appearing at the RSC, in the West End and Regional Theatre and in TV shows such as Doctor Who, EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Casualty, Holby City, Primeval and The Fades.

In addition students work on the London Fringe, direct, write and teach. Others take their skills into new areas to become theatre agents, casting directors and producers.

Students are encouraged to identify and, with guidance, to reflect on their own learning needs and are offered the following support as appropriate to those needs:

• An induction period
• Accommodation Guidance
• Student Handbook and Module Guides
• Library and Study Skills are taught as part of Contextual Studies
• On site library and computer facilities, plus further facilities through Westminster Library.
• Staff Support through Year Heads and the Course Director
• Professional counselling and Student Support through connected services with experience of performers’ needs.
• Small Group Classes allow students to gain advice on problems relating to and arising from the training process.

In the 3rd Year students receive career guidance from leading professional organisations. In the past two years the following industry specialists have worked with 3rd year students:

• Pippa Ailion Casting – West End Casting
• Brown and Simcocks – Agent
• International Artists – Agent
• Jeremy Brook Ltd.- Agent
• The Narrow Road – Agent
• Theatre Royal Stratford East
• RSC
• Propellor Theatre Company
• The Globe Theatre
• BBC
• Hobsons – Voice Over Agent

This list is indicative and is likely to change from year to year.

• Acquire the knowledge and skills to perform as an actor to professional industry standards.
• Acquire specialised skills in acting, voice, movement and singing.
• Operate as an actor in a professional environment, whether in TV, Film, Theatre, Radio or any of the emerging recorded media industries.
• Develop transferable skills, especially in communication and self-presentation, team work, independent research, critical analysis, which would allow them to operate successfully in a variety of fields.
• Be proactive in the creation of employment opportunities.
• Contextualise the historical and cultural framework of a performance.
• Approach all genres of drama and performance with an open-minded approach.

All learning outcomes are covered in the programme’s single honours route.

Knowledge

1. A range of performance scripts from the history of World Drama.
2. Key methods and concepts of acting theory and their practical contemporary application.
3. The history and context of the main events, personalities and movements affecting the theory and practice of acting.
4. Vocal anatomy.
5. Phonetics and phonetic transcription.
6. Stage Combat and Social Dance.
7. The historical and cultural context of any given performance.
8. The use of physicality to create narrative and character.

Thinking skills

1. Reason critically.
2. Analyse and interpret.
3. Apply theoretical concepts
4. Identify and solve problems.
5. Reflect, draw conclusions, and make plans.
6. Synthesise information from various sources.
7. Formulate and test ideas.
8. Research, assimilate information, and report findings.

Subject-Based Practical skills

1. Create a performance for live or recorded media using improvisation, text, or other source material.
2. Clearly communicate with an audience.
3. Use the body safely as an expressive creative tool.
4. Use the voice safely as an expressive creative tool.
5. Apply key methods and concepts of acting theory.
6. Phonetically transcribe the sounds of English.
7. Gather, sift, synthesise, and organise material independently.
8. Understand the creative, practical and technical processes and contexts within which professional performance is produced safely and successfully.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

1. Balance and organise personal and professional issues through self-management and meet deadlines.
2. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
3. Work effectively and creatively as part of a team, negotiating and pursuing goals with others, as well as working independently.
4. Use information media such as libraries, archives and the Web.
5. Use basic word-processing skills.
6. Creative effective presentations.
7. Use advanced verbal and physical communication skills, including the use and analysis of body language.
8. Demonstrate self-promotion, self-presentation and self-marketing skills.

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years and must be attended in full-time mode.

The teaching year begins in September and ends in July. There will be three 10 week terms in each academic year.

A typical student, in full-time attendance mode of study, will register for 120 credits in an academic year.

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules (or fewer, if any are 40 or 60 credit modules) per year . An honours degree student will complete modules totalling 120 credits at level one, modules totalling 120 credits at level 2 and modules totalling 120 credits at level 3.

Modules are defined as core and must be taken.

In order to gain anhonoursdegree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain anordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain aDiploma of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain aCertificate of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher

Knowledge is developed through

• Acquisition of 1. & 7. Is through Part-year group lectures, part-year workshops, seminars and tutorials and personal reading and research. Students are required to attend stipulated public performances.
• Acquisition of 2. & 3. Is through Part-year group lectures, part-year workshops, seminars and tutorials and personal reading and research.
• Acquisition of 4. & 5. Is through part-year lectures and seminars.
• Acquisition of 6. & 8. Is through part-year workshops.

Thinking skills are developed through

• Acquisition of 1. is through group seminars, tutorials and private study.
• Acquisition of 2. 3. 4. & 7. Is through group lectures, workshops, seminars, rehearsals and private and study.
• Acquisition of 5. is through workshops, rehearsals, private study and reflective journals.
• Acquisition of 6. Is through private study, seminars and workshops.
• Acquisition of 8. Is through seminars, private study and reflective journals.
  

Practical skills are developed through

• Acquisition of 1,2,3,4,5, is through Part-year group lectures, part-year workshops, seminars and tutorials, internal and public performances, and personal reading and research
• Acquisition of 6 is through part-year lectures, seminars and tutorials
• Acquisition of 7 is through self-lead study, and part-year seminar
• Acquisition of 8 is through lectures and seminars, practical application in performance
• Acquisition of 9 is through year and part-year lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Acquisition of 1. and 3. are gained as an accumulation of working practices across the course, but especially through rehearsal and performance
• Acquisition of 2. Is through part-year workshops, seminars, performance and through self-directed study.
• Acquisition of 4. and 5. Is through seminars and self-directed study
• Acquisition of 6. is through part-year seminars and workshops.
• Acquisition of 7. Is through part-year seminars, workshops, tutorials and performance
• Acquisition of 8 is through seminars, part-year and year lectures, part-year workshops, and tutorials

Knowledge is assessed by

• Unseen written and practical test (4&5)
• Classroom presentation (1, 3 & 7)
• Performance (1,2, 6 & 8)
• Reflective diaries/written work/class work

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Practical and written tests (1, 2, 4)
• Reflective diaries/written work/class work (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
• Classroom presentations ( 2 , 7, 8)
• Performance (1-8 inclusive)

Practical skills are assessed by

• Practical and written tests (5, 6)
• Reflective diaries/written work/class work (1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9)
• Classroom presentations (1, 2 ,3, 4, 7)
• Performance (1-5 inclusive, 7 & 8)

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Practical and written tests (2, 3)
• Reflective diaries/written work/class work (2, 4, 5, 6, 8)
• Classroom presentations (1, 2 ,4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
• Performance (1, 2, 3, 4, 7)

Before this programme started, the following was checked:

• there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources would be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

The programme is subject to regular re-accreditation by the sector council the NCDT every 4 years.

Industry Professionals are regularly involved in the delivery of the programme, and feedback formally on an annual basis.

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Module evaluations
• Student representation on programme committees (meeting 3 times year)
• Student/Staff consultative committee (meeting 3 times a year)

Students are notified of the action taken through:

• Year Meetings
• providing details on the programme noticeboard
• Student representation on programme committees (meeting 3 times per year)
• Student / Staff Consultative Committee (meeting 3 times per year)
• A newsletter published three times a year

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

• Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
• Questionnaires to former students
• NCDT performance reviews
• Round table events with industry professionals involved with the delivery of the programme, and external advisers.