(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Acting and Physical Theatre
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
East 15 Acting School
Southend Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Dance, Drama and Performance
BA W494
03/09/2026
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.
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.
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
Mr STRUAN LESLIE
HEAD OF MOVEMENT
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
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 equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for a professional career performing and/or making physical theatre, i.e. theatre that is not primarily text-based.
To enable students to acquire a broad-based understanding of performance arts such as theatre, dance and circus.
To enable students to acquire skills across a range of fields and to equip them to use different performance vocabularies appropriately and creatively in their own work.
To enable students to discern and develop individual specialist skills to a professional standard.
To encourage students to adopt an investigative approach and to develop autonomous research and study skills to assist their continuing professional development.
To prepare students for professional work by embedding their learning in a knowledge and understanding of existing professional practice.
To develop students' ability to make effective contributions to team and group-based activity.
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 be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of character and situation in physical theatre performance
A2: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of narrative processes in a range of performance forms
A3: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories and principles of a range of physical theatre forms
A4: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of conceptual, historical or material contexts of physical theatre
A5: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology of voice and movement
Learning methods
A1-A5 Studio-based practical classes, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, collaborative and group practical projects, staff/student discussions of practice, written and oral feedback on assignments and project work, lectures and seminars.
Assessment methods
A1-A5 Continuous assessment of class work.
A1-A4 rehearsals and performances, presentations, written assignments.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology of voice and movement
B2: Students will be able to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
B3: Students will be able to apply objective critical analysis to own and others performance
B4: Students will be able to create performances using a range of physical theatre techniques
B5: Students will be able to use appropriate critical vocabulary or subject specific terminology
B6: Students will be able to apply appropriate research to performance preparation or written work
Learning methods
B1-B4 Studio-based practical classes, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, rehearsal, performance, masterclasses, lectures and seminars.
Assessment methods
B1 to B6 Continuous assessment of class work, rehearsals and performance.
B2 to B3 and B5 to B6 written assignments and presentations
C: Practical skills
C1: Students will be able to demonstrate ability to select and use specific skills appropriate for physical performance
C2: Students will be able to demonstrate ability to apply a range of practical skills to performance
C3: Students will be able to demonstrate ability to work effectively individually and as a member of an ensemble
C4: Students will be able to demonstrate ability to communicate relevant information effectively in oral, written or visual form
C5: Students will able to demonstrate ability to identify and select appropriate safe working practices
Learning methods
B1 to B4 Studio-based practical classes, B1 to B4 Studio-based practical classes, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, rehearsal, performance, masterclasses, lectures and seminars.
Assessment methods
C1 to C4 are predominantly taught assessed through continual assessment, where the tutor is present during the practical sessions of both skilss development and performance preparation. Feedback is provided throughout the porcess and the assessment includesw the students' response to feedback and the creative application of notes from the module leader. This assessment is sometimes support through assigned reserach presentations, log-books of practice and small in-class exhibitions of student created work.
D: Key skills
D1: Students will be able to communicate complex ideas or arguments confidently and effectively in oral, written or visual form.
D2: Ability to apply relevant IT resources to research, present or communicate original work
D3: Students will able to demonstrate ability to identify and select appropriate safe working practices
D4: Students will be able to demonstrate ability to work effectively individually and as a member of an ensemble
D5: Students will be able to apply objective critical analysis to own and others performance
Learning methods
D1 to D6 Group and collaborative practical projects, workshops and tutorials, staff/student feedback discussions, written assignments, portfolios, street theatre project, final production.
Assessment methods
D1, D4 to D6 Continuous assessment of contributions in class, project and production work.
D1 to D4, D6 Essays and written assignments D1 to D6 Final production and associated written portfolio.