MA Acting
Course overview
Start date
September 2020
Subject area
Music and Performance
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
It’s ideal if you want to pursue a professional career in the theatre, to develop a deeper understanding of your craft and hone your performance skills.
Based at our new, state-of-the-art University Square Stratford building, you will work in close collaboration with students and academic staff on our equally excellent MA Theatre Directing course as you produce and perform a range of innovative work of professional quality while also being given expert tuition in the skills of acting.
Taught in the evenings and on Saturdays and available for both part-time and full-time study to fit around your needs, it’s a course geared to equip you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to be a stage actor.
You will be guided by leading theatre practitioners, who will both teach and mentor you. After a final degree show in which you will have the chance to showcase your talents, you will leave our course ready to discover that all the world’s your stage.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreHands-on approach
Our course will give you the chance to develop an innovative and distinct performance practice to set you on the road to success in the world of acting and the performing arts.
Kick-start to your career
We’ll give you the chance to work with a mentor, an experienced professional actor who will offer you support and advice and help you make the step into the professional creative world.
Flexible study
You can study in the evening to allow access for those of you who are working or have family commitments.
What we're researching
The results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), a six-yearly national review of higher education research, underlined the quality and impact of our work.
An impressive 50 per cent of the research we’re undertaking in the field of Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts was judged to be either ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’.
Our Centre for Performing Arts Development (CPAD) has become an international centre for research in the performing arts and supports research that is concerned with political, philosophical, cultural, ethical, socially-engaged and community applied issues.
All of our academics are teachers, practitioners and researchers. Professor Dominic Hingorani, Course Leader for
the MA Acting and Theatre Directing degrees, is also an accomplished writer,
director and producer who runs his own theatre company Brolly Productions who
make cross arts work to engage new BAME artists and audiences for the Arts and
heritage.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Takunda Kramer
MA Acting
My whole world was opened up by this course. The content challenged me and I was constantly learning both from my lecturers and my fellow students who are passionate about their art and diverse in experience and backgrounds. Rehearsal space and time at the new Stratford campus is plentiful and you can hire out equipment from cameras and microphones to recorders and booms. There are really no excuses not to produce the best work you can.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Per 30 credit module
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA page for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and Maths. Applicants will be expected to attend an audition and an interview.
Auditions at the University of East London are designed to reflect the way our degrees are taught – you’ll study performance by making it, experiencing it, reading, and writing about it.
If your course involves a practical aspect such as drama, please come prepared in comfortable clothing, ready to participate in a practical workshop session. When you are invited to an audition please check your emails carefully as further details will be provided.
Our auditions are conducted through a relaxed and playful approach with the goal of both parties getting to know each other. We are looking for students who are able to engage with others in an experimental and creative environment, and who have the foundational skills needed to thrive in a higher education setting.
Admission to the programme is by interview.
Special provision is made for international students who are unable to come to the UK for an interview.
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more.
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
- Actor and the Text (Core)
- Devised Project (Core)
- Contemporary Performance Making (Core)
- Performance Laboratory (Core)
- Research Methods in Creative Practice (Core)
- Performance Platform (Core)
- Mental Wealth: Professional Life (Core)
How you'll be assessed
For each module, we’ll assess you on your coursework components. These components typically consist of a performance and a critical reflection on that performance.
You take one or two modules per term and there is a dissertation project to be taken over the final term. The MA Acting is practice-based, so the final dissertation module consists of a performance piece involving both acting and directing students and a critical reflection on that work.
How you'll learn
Dominic is a professional playwright, academic author, producer and director and Co-Artistic Director of Brolly, a cross-arts company supported by Arts Council England. He has recently written and produced a national tour of a new play for teenagers, Guantanamo Boy, and a new opera called Clocks 1888 the greener.
Dominic originally trained as an actor and worked on stage in the USA with Sir Ian McKellen and performed on TV and film.
Another teacher is Dr Jorge Lopes Ramos, the multi-award-winning joint artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Zecora Ura – an independent and innovative theatre group based in both Rio de Janeiro and east London.
As well as their support, we’ll give you the opportunity of being able to work alongside an experienced professional actor who, if you want, will act as your mentor.
Through our unique partnerships, you’ll have opportunities to engage with a variety of professional companies. Our current partners include Theatre Royal Stratford East, London International Festival of Theatre, Hoxton Hall, Columbia College in Chicago, Stratford Circus and Theatre Venture.
You’re also benefit from a programme of guest speakers. Recently, our students heard from British movie star Terence Stamp and the artistic director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, Kerry Michael.
“This course was created especially for those wishing to pursue a professional career in the theatre and develop the skills to be an independent creative artist,” says Dr Hingorani.
“Our teaching ethos is tailored to the individual student to develop their own unique creative voice, underpinned by academic rigour and an understanding of professional art practice, delivered in industry-standard studio facilities."
“I can’t think of a more exciting place to start your career, build your networks and access world-class professional theatre than in London.”
What you'll learn
So you will study naturalism, realism, contemporary devising, intercultural performance, production and practice as research.
You will look at the dynamically interrelated skills of acting, voice and movement and take a module in how to stage performances, during which you’ll be mentored by members of a professional theatre company.
Our course is practice-based, so your final piece of theatre will be a performance piece involving both acting and directing students, while also producing a critical reflection on your own work.
This double module is capped by your final degree show, which will be devised and created by you. It could be purely a solo effort but, alternatively, you could collaborate with performers from other UEL courses in dance and music.
Either way, it’s a big opportunity, offering you the chance to develop important future contacts while acting as the main shop window for your talents.
Your future career
Your final degree show will act as your showcase to attract agents and develop your professional networks.
By having your own mentor in the last six months of your course, you will not only gain important insight and advice about the technical aspects of acting but you will receive invaluable help in developing important contacts.
We believe our course helps nurture independent-minded, creative individuals - actors such as the RADA-trained Takunda Kramer, who shone while at the University of East London and has gone on to star with various professional companies as far afield as New York, Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi.
Like many of our other students who go on to further postgraduate research and study, Takunda has now returned to UEL to undertake a PhD based on protest theatre in his native Zimbabwe.
Another graduate, Neil Walker, now co-manages a theatre company and is currently taking the lead role and touring in a play which he wrote himself: Do We Do The Right Thing?
“Seeing the work I started to create at UEL performed before audiences is deeply rewarding – a real buzz!” says Neil. It’s a feeling many of our students will relate to.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
