(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Acting and Contemporary Theatre
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
East 15 Acting School
East15 (Loughton) Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Dance, Drama and Performance
None
None
BA W441
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
Applicants will need to submit a video audition and, if successful, complete a recall audition/workshop. Applicants should also have, or expect to have:
- A-levels: EE, or 32 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: PP, or 32 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 32 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- T-levels: Pass with E in core .
- IB: two Higher Level certificates with 33
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If you do not require a student visa to study in the UK then we will assess your English language proficiency/ability at your interview or audition.
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Ms Emma Ruth Hansford
Lead Practitioner Stage Manager
LAMDAMs Isobel Beatrice Pemberton
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To provide a vocational education and preparation for a professional career in acting and theatre.
To stimulate students' creativity and imagination.
To equip students with the knowledge and skills demanded by current practice in contemporary theatre.
To provide students with opportunities to integrate their training into public performance of work that is relevant to the contemporary world.
To develop students' ability to work effectively as part of a creative team.
To develop students' ability to adapt and devise self-created performance material from research and observation.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of relevant movement theories
A2: Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of performance source materials and texts relevant to contemporary theatre
A3: Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of contemporary theatre performance styles and methods
A4: Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of theatre history and theory relevant to the development of contemporary theatre
A5: Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of vocal techniques and theories
Learning methods
A1-A5 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, master classes, rehearsals and performance and independent study.
Additionally, A4 learning takes place in lectures and seminars.
A3 and A5 is also learned in one-to-one tutorials as part of individual students' performance preparation.
Assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding of A1-A5 are continuously assessed through observation of students' contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
A2, A3 and A4 are additionally assessed through practice-based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Personal Record of Analysis and Reflection.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Ability to use knowledge of self and behaviour patterns to develop contemporary theatre responses
B2: Ability to demonstrate reflective evaluation of acting processes and performances
B3: Ability to respond to and collaborate with others to create a performance.
B4: Ability to experiment with form and style eg visual theatre, expression, parody
B5: Ability to apply critical analysis of ideas and material to inform performances
Learning methods
B1 - B6 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, master classes, rehearsals and performance and independent study, including unsupervised rehearsals.
Additionally, for B3 and B6 students will see a wide range of performances, both their own group's performances, other student performances and professional works - learning then takes place in group discussions and seminars on these performances
Assessment methods
B1 - B6 are continuously assessed through observation of students' contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
B1, B3 and B6 are additionally assessed through practice-based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Record of Analysis and Reflection.
Assessment of B1-B6 in the early part of the degree scheme is based primarily on processes.
For example, the assessment of B4 in Year One would be based on the extent to which a student was able to demonstrate learning of ensemble work methods.
As students progress through the scheme assessment becomes more focussed on the quality of the work produced, so that assessment of B4 in Year Three would be based on the quality of the student's performance within the ensemble.
C: Practical skills
C1: Ability to use vocal techniques including voice production, singing, use of dialect and accents.
C2: Ability to perform in a range of roles, forms and styles
C3: Ability to demonstrate self-management and time-management
C4: Ability to show awareness of rhythm, co-ordination, strength and suppleness
C5: Ability to deliver a well realised, detailed and believable characterisation
C6: Ability to apply basic technical theatre skills to practical projects: eg costume, set design, props construction, stage management.
Learning methods
C1 - C6 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, master classes, rehearsals and performance and independent study, including unsupervised rehearsals.
C6 is additionally taught in practical workshop sessions and through technical advice 'surgeries' for students preparing for performances.
C1 is also learned by students in one-to-one tutorials during performance preparation.
Assessment methods
C1 - C6 are continuously assessed through observation of students' contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
C3 is additionally assessed through practice-based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Record of Analysis and Reflection.
Assessment of C1 - C6 in the early part of the degree scheme is based primarily on processes.
For example, the assessment of C2 in Year One would be based on the extent to which a student was able to demonstrate learning of acting methodology.
As students progress through the scheme assessment becomes more focussed on the quality of the work produced, so that assessment of C2 in Year Three would be based on the quality of the student's performance.
D: Key skills
D1: Ability to present ideas and analysis in written or oral form
D2: Ability to apply relevant IT resources to research, present or communicate original work
D3: Ability to work within available resources: human, financial or physical
D4: Ability to work creatively, safely and collaboratively with others in ensemble performance
D5: Ability to take responsibility for own creative development and undertake independent research for performance preparation
Learning methods
D1, D4, D5 and D6 are learned in small group practical classes, workshops, rehearsal and performance.
D1 - D4 and D6 are learned through lectures, presentations, seminars and independent study.
Assessment methods
D1, D4, D5 and D6 are continuously assessed through observation of students' contribution to class work, rehearsals and performance.
D1 - D4 and D6 are additionally assessed through practice-based presentations, written assignments and essays and the Record of Analysis and Reflection.
Assessment of D4-D6 in the early part of the degree scheme is based primarily on processes.
For example, the assessment of D6 in Year One would be based on the extent to which a student was able to demonstrate learning of the processes of researching and creating a work.
As students progress through the scheme D6 assessment becomes more focussed on the originality and creative inventiveness of the work produced.