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Acting - MA / PgDip

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Main deadline date for our Acting courses is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time) – please note that applications submitted after the main deadline date will still be considered for the 2025 intake The PG Dip/MA Acting course is designed for graduates who wish to undertake advanced studies to further their knowledge and widen their experience of acting in order to take up a professional acting ...

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

[00:00:03] Danielle I decided to join the MFA course because I felt like something was missing in my acting. I was doing things, but it just felt like I was missing a piece. I decided to kind of refine my training and figure out what that missing piece was.

 

[00:00:20] Danielle Hey.

 

[00:00:21] Friend Hey.

 

[00:00:21] Danielle You ready for speech?

 

[00:00:22] Friend Yes.

 

[00:00:23] Danielle My favourite part is the community aspect in that. There's never a time where I feel, like, forgotten or I feel left out.

 

[00:00:32] Friend Do you remember the play that you did for the first time?

 

[00:00:35] Danielle I played like an old, famous actress, and I had, like, big sunglasses. And my mom loves telling the story. How when she saw that play, she cried because she knew that I found what I wanted to do.

 

[00:00:49] Danielle I think you should never let fear stop you from trying it, because you then will always have that regret of what if I just went for it? My biggest aspiration as an actor is to be a part of the RSC. I know that's going to be a lot of hard work, and this could be a lot of steps to get there, but that's the dream.

 

[00:01:17] Danielle I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken.

 

[00:01:24] Friend Woo!

 

[00:01:26] Danielle All right. So. Is that okay?

 

[00:01:30] Friend Yeah. Sure.

 

[00:01:32] Danielle Yeah.

 

[00:01:33] Danielle When you know you've achieved what you set out to do, you gain confidence making the next step less scary and more exciting. I came here wanting to flourish as an actor, and I have I've worked on my weaknesses. I've put all of the techniques into practice, and now I know this is just the beginning for me.

 

[00:02:07] Danielle I've come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken. Your spirits relax. And for what? Words. Words, words.

 

Main deadline date for our Acting courses is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time) – please note that applications submitted after the main deadline date will still be considered for the 2025 intake

The PG Dip/MA Acting course is designed for graduates who wish to undertake advanced studies to further their knowledge and widen their experience of acting in order to take up a professional acting career upon graduation.

The course seeks to create independently minded performers and practitioners who are able to apply a variety of methodologies to their creative work. Its aim is to inculcate forward thinking practitioners able to create real employment opportunities for themselves, both in finding work and creating work.

This laboratory programme provides opportunities for students to enhance their experience and understanding of acting by focusing on the repertoire of the British and European traditions. Students form an acting company and each exercise, workshop or production is designed to challenge the student actor and to progressively develop the imaginative, intellectual and creative skills required for acting.

The delivery of the course is based on the conservatoire model which requires an intensive taught delivery of a minimum of thirty to forty hours per week over a minimum of thirty weeks per year. Its focus is practice-based learning through which the student is enabled to develop the requisite intellectual, imaginative and physical skills of the professional actor.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

The MA Acting course is a full-time programme delivered intensively over one year (4 terms – September to September) that provides a fast track to entering the industry in the UK. Whilst there is a specific focus on entering the UK industry, the focus of work within the repertoire is, initially, European, and later widens to include repertoire from World theatre. Studies focus on the ensemble, the tools of Psychological Realism, and the demands of classical texts, professional preparation, and personal research.

Delivered through a series of exercise, workshop and performance opportunities the programme also includes acting for the camera and voice over work, and for MA students culminates in a showcase, a final production and a practice-based research project.

Students are supported through this highly intensive course by a robust pastoral system led by personal tutors who will support students throughout the course. Students can seek tutorials with specific tutors or their course director at any time. Each student receives an individual tutorial on their progress and development every term. This also provides an opportunity for them to speak about their experience of the course and raise any areas of concern.

Students are also given more formal opportunities to feedback on their course through the formal BCU structures. In addition to these, the Course Director holds debriefs for the group after the completion of every performance module and a termly meeting is held in which the cohort can express any areas of concern they may have about the course and its delivery.

Why Choose Us?

  • Royal Birmingham Conservatoire staff have vast experience, both within the UK and internationally. Staff have worked with well-known individuals, projects and companies such as the BBC, the RSC, the NHS, British repertory and festival theatres, and much more.
  • To ensure high quality tuition, we normally have a maximum of 16 students enrolled onto the course each year.
  • By joining Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, you will also be part of Birmingham City University, meaning you’ll have access to all the University’s state-of-the-art facilities, including TV and radio studios and a green screen, all of which you’ll have the opportunity to experience.
  • Our graduates include Nicola Coughlan, who have gone on to perform in prestigious shows such as Bridgerton and Derry Girls.
  • One of the most unique things about our programme is the solo performance project, performed as part of our yearly MA FEST.
  • For the final part of the year, our students perform a solo project as part of MA Fest. These performances go on to venues such as the Edinburgh Fringe, Camden/Brighton Fringe, the Birmingham Comedy Festival and the Strawberry One Act Play Festival in NYC, where former students have won major acting awards.

MA Acting overview- students on stage

The MA Acting course is the first anywhere to use the University’s new £62m TV production facilities at Parkside, Birmingham, of which Birmingham Conservatoire is a part. Recorded Media training will prepare you for work in film, television, radio drama and audiobooks.

Open Day

Join us on campus where you'll be able to explore our facilities and accommodation in person, and chat to staff and students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Next Open Day: 12 June 2025

Register interest

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

Applicants will normally be expected to have a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in Acting or a related subject. The MA option is designed for those with suitable academic abilities.

The course is also suitable for professional actors seeking a refresher course.

Admission to this course is by audition. For full details and advice about auditions and interviews, please visit the Acting Auditions and Interviews section of the Conservatoire website.

We ask that applicants only apply for one RBC postgraduate Acting course in an application cycle.

Applying with international qualifications

See below for further information on applying as an international student.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MA

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MA

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Essential copies of playscripts 

Students studying on this course will receive copies of any playscripts studied on the course.

Project materials (mandatory) 

You will be required to cover expenses relating to your Major Project. The advice to students is to deliver this work so that production/presentation costs are minimal. The university source the theatre space, a technician, basic lighting and sound – which incur no charge. However, if you create a solo performance that requires significant support in terms of props or furniture, you would need to cover these costs. This would include transporting items to the theatre space.

Clothing (mandatory) 

This course requires the purchase of specific clothing, you will be provided with a kit list prior to enrolment. You will need to wear black clothes and shoes, white shorts and movement kit. Some of this you may already have, and budget will dependant on where you choose to buy these from. You will also be required to provide your own makeup for performances.

Final year costs (mandatory) 

In your final year you will need to have professional headshots taken (£200-£300) and register with Spotlight (£180). You will also be expected to pay for accommodation and travel for your showcase (estimated cost £100).

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Books (optional) 

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. For your Major Project you may need to acquire specific books either by purchasing a copy of requesting an inter-library loan. Costs would be dependant on the text.

Memberships (optional) 

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course, such as Equity (student membership is £40) and Spotlight (graduate membership is £129.60 per year).

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

How to apply

Please note when applying: you should only submit one application for either the MA or the PgDip Acting course, as you will only be considered for one of these courses and the audition criteria is the same for both. We ask that applicants only apply for one RBC postgraduate acting course in an application cycle, so you should not also apply for the MFA course in the same application cycle.

Please read our information on the audition process before making your application. We charge an audition fee of £46, which must be paid prior to audition and covers the entire audition process. 

You can find guidance on how to prepare for an Audition by visiting the page below. 

Audition Guidance

If you are applying from outside the UK/EU and are not able to attend an audition in the UK, you may wish to submit an online audition. Details of how to do this can be found here. 

Audition Guidance (International Applicants)

Completing your application

Further information on writing your personal statement can be found on the UCAS Conservatoires website.

Course in Depth

PG Dip

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits): 

MA

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

The MA in Acting operates as a one-year, full-time course. As a Master’s student, you will be expected to take a proactive attitude toward study with timetabled classes as well as time for self-directed study.

Throughout the course, you will be taught through a series of modules covering a different aspect of the acting field, teaching you a diverse, yet specialised combination of knowledge and skill. You will formulate a strong understanding of the importance of context to your work, maintaining an awareness of developments within the acting field.

Towards the end of your Master’s you will be expected to devise and present a research project. This project is designed to demonstrate an accumulation of the skills and knowledge you have developed throughout the programme. You will be expected to engage in independent study, researching a specific area of your theatrical interest.

Student stories - Danielle Pinnock

"I chose Birmingham School of Acting because I have always wanted to study abroad in England for as long as I could remember. I think the acting training in England really is special, because you are learning from tutors from all over Europe. I wanted to study acting, because I graduated with a directing emphasis from my undergraduate college, Temple University. I really wanted to sharpen and challenge my acting skills and I was able to do that and more at BSA. I am now in Chicago working at The Goodman Theatre on Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s new play ‘By the Way, Meet Vera Stark’. I am understudying for the role of Lottie.

Employability

Enhancing employability skills

This MA Acting course is designed to not only develop your practical performance skills but to help you expand your intellectual knowledge of the creative industries. You will finish this course with the skills expected of the contemporary actor, by studying the theory and practice of key acting processes. You will be able to engage critically and creatively, mapping out the performance possibilities of a production text.

You will have the skill to create and perform a believable character with authentic psychological and emotional truths. With knowledge of the demands and performance needs of genres, style and text you will be able to produce content that demonstrates depth, meaning and originality.

As a MA Acting graduate you will confidently be able to analyse performance scripts, applying the principles inherent in the Stanislavski system. You will learn how to make mature and advanced interpretations of a performance text, expanding your ability to analyse and synthesise theatrical work.

You’ll learn the skills and awareness you need will enable you to look out for auditions, leaving you with the best chance of succeeding in your acting career.

International

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

In the past, we have welcomed students from international countries such as Norway and further afield. We encourage international students to study with us, as we feel you will benefit from experiencing a new culture and bringing your own perspective and flair to the programme.

As a University, we are one of Britain’s leading providers of creative, talented professionals. We have a range of visiting tutors, industry connections and innovative teaching. In Birmingham alone there are various performing arts programmes and venues, and with London just a train journey away, you will be surrounded by creativity and possibility.

The MA Acting course will be delivered in English, and the ability to speak and to write English with considerable fluency is a requirement for entry to the course. In most cases, a candidate whose first language is not English may be required to take a standard test in English in order to evaluate your level of comprehension, skills in conversation and writing. The result of this test will be necessary prior to being offered a place on the course.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

Location

Our Acting courses are based at Ruskin Hall in Bournville, although students can also benefit from a range of performance spaces around the city. As a part of the Arts, Design and Media faculty, we also have access to facilities at the Parkside Building, which boasts state-of-the-art radio and television studios, edit suites, photography studios, and much more.

View video transcription

Performances

Students regularly perform at professional theatres across the West Midlands, including The Birmingham Central Library Theatre; Crescent Theatre; Hippodrome Studio (Patrick Centre); The Old Rep Theatre and The Drum.

Our staff

Lise Olson

Course Director, MA in Acting

Lise is currently the Course Director of MA in Acting at Birmingham School of Acting. She relocated from Merseyside, where she trained actors for a decade at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). Lise has been directing and training actors in the US and UK for 30 years.

More about Lise

Stephen Simms

Vice Principal - Acting, Professor of Actor Education

Stephen is the Vice Principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - Acting, one of the UK's leading conservatoires of acting, where he is also the Head of Acting. He is also Professor of Actor Education, the only person to hold this position in the country. He directs and teaches on the acting courses at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Recent...

More about Stephen