MA Acting | University for the Creative Arts

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Location

Farnham

Start date

Sept 2026

Duration

1 year full-time

Entry requirements

Check qualifications

Tuition fees

Check fees and funding options

Acting at UCA

Train with professionals, perform on stage and screen, and launch your career with our MA Acting course at UCA’s School of Creative and Cultural Industries in Farnham, Surrey.

Rigorous, practice-based training

Our MA Acting degree offers a rigorous, practice-based training for experienced actors seeking to refine and further develop their craft. You will advance your practice through Acting Skills, strengthening your technique, presence, and emotional range.

Explore diverse styles

In the Classical & Contemporary Theatre unit, you will explore diverse styles, texts, and performance contexts, enhancing versatility and critical understanding and the Screen Acting unit continues the development of your on-camera performance, technical awareness, and adaptability across digital formats.

Innovative exploration encouraged

The Practice as Research for Digital Performance unit encourages innovative exploration of performance in virtual, multimedia, and interactive environments. The culmination of the course is Final Major Project & Professional Practice, in which you will synthesise learning into a self-directed performance or research-led piece, supported by industry-facing preparation.

Intensive creative programme

This intensive, creatively rich year will equip you with the artistic vision, technical skill, and professional resilience required to thrive in today’s evolving performance landscape across stage, screen, audio, and digital platforms.

Watch our videos

Acting, Music and Design at UCA

Callum Durrant_Let the Right One In Video

Rehearsing for Let the Right One In performance

Eugenie talks about studying Acting at UCA

BA (Hons) Acting & Performance, UCA Farnham

What you'll study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

Term one

Acting for Stage
In Acting for Stage, you will develop advanced skills for live performance with an emphasis on vocalisation, physicality, and character embodiment. You will explore a range of texts, ensemble work, and storytelling techniques. Practical workshops and performances will refine your stagecraft, ensuring adaptability and mastery of a diverse range of theatrical forms. You will also undertake professional practice as part of this module which includes audition technique and devising your own material.

Theatre Production
Theatre Production explores a range of forms, focusing on textual analysis, character development, and performance techniques. You will engage in practical workshops, rehearsals, and scene studies. Emphasis is placed on interpreting diverse material, mastering contrasting styles, and integrating historical and modern approaches to acting in live performance contexts. There are opportunities within this module to collaborate with other undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and staff.

Term two

Acting for Screen
In Acting for Screen, you will explore a range of performance techniques, character development, camera skills, scene analysis, and emotional authenticity. You will engage in practical exercises, on-camera work, and industry-relevant workshops, developing adaptability for film, television, and digital media while mastering technical demands and professional screen protocols. You will also undertake professional practice as part of this module which includes self-tapes and developing experience of working with emerging technologies.

Film Production
Film Production focusses on acting techniques, character development, and professional output. You will engage in on-camera exercises, script analysis, and collaborative projects including short films and scenes from cinema. You will explore industry-standard practices, working with directors, and preparing yourself for the technical demands of professional film production. There are opportunities within this module to collaborate with other undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and staff.

Term three

Final Major Project: Practice as Research
In the final module of your postgraduate degree, you will explore practice as research, investigating acting methodologies, performance strategies, and creative approaches through practical inquiry. You will also develop a final major project which can be live, recorded, or multimedia, demonstrating your artistic vision and reflective practice. Emphasis is placed on blending performance with theoretical analysis and critical evaluation. This module supports experimentation, offering structured workshops, peer discussions, and mentoring to foster independent practice. You will be encouraged to further engage with emerging technologies and cross-disciplinary methods, presenting work in a professional context while critically articulating the research underpinning your creative choices. You will create work during this module that you can take forward with you into your career.

Expected learning hours

Independent study: 80%
Scheduled teaching: 20%
Online delivery: 0%
Placement: 0%

Please note, these details are for 2026 entry and could be subject to change for other years of entry.

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Upcoming webinars

We offer a range of webinars throughout the year that you may be interested in:

28 Jan 2026

Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on Masters & PhDs

At UCA, we offer a range of creative postgraduate opportunities that we’ll discuss during this webinar. Join us to learn more about our postgraduate courses and the application process. Book now: Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on Masters & PhDs

18 Feb 2026

How to Apply to Accommodation

Applying for accommodation can be a confusing process when you’re unsure of what to look out for, from different room options to staying in halls or in private accommodation off-campus, there’s a lot to consider. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Book now: How to Apply to Accommodation

25 Mar 2026

Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on PhDs & Masters

At UCA, we offer a range of postgraduate options at both Master's and PhD level that will help you further your skills, ready for a career within the creative industries. Book now: Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on PhDs & Masters

15 Apr 2026

A Guide to Student Finance & Budgeting at University

Want to know more about student finance and budgeting at university? We understand everyone’s financial situations are different, and at UCA we try to support you as much as possible throughout your time with us. Book now: A Guide to Student Finance & Budgeting at University

13 May 2026

Student Support & Life on Campus

Are you wondering what it’s like to be a student at UCA? We’re here to talk through everything you need to know about student support and life on campus. Book now: Student Support & Life on Campus

15 Jul 2026

Getting Ready for University

Getting ready for university can be stressful when you’re not sure what to prepare for. We’re here to go through everything you need to know! Book now: Getting Ready for University

Acting Fees & financial support

Tuition fees - 2026/27

MA course: £10,800

Tuition fees - 2026/27

MA course: £10,800

We offer a fee reduction to the equivalent of UK student fee for duration of the course. This is available to all applicants who are a national of an EU country and a resident in the EU or UK. The scholarship will be automatically awarded if you meet all the eligibility criteria. You do not need to complete an application form, see fee discount information.

Tuition fees - 2026/27

MA course: £18,540

The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only, for details of previous years please see the full fee schedules.

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of scholarships and fee discounts available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

Current UCA students and alumni may be eligible for a tuition fee discount.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources. Discover what support you might qualify for please see our financial support information.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the Additional Course Costs section of the Course Information Document for more details of the costs you may incur.

Find out what's included in your tuition fees.

Explore our gradshow

Each year, we’re privileged to be able to share our graduates’ incredible work with the world. And now’s your chance to take a look.

View student work

Virtual Tour

If you are not able to visit UCA, you can take a look at our campuses and extensive facilities on our virtual tour.

We also run campus tours twice a month at each of our campuses, led by a UCA student ambassador, a current student who has unique insight into life at UCA.

Launch virtual tour Campus tours

Acting facilities & equipment

This course has an on-campus performance space and study spaces for group working, tutorials, seminars and technical workshops. It is also in partnership with the Farnham Maltings and the larger performances are housed there.

The Maltings is a leading performance venue located in the heart of Farnham with a network of professional theatre makers based there and regular live and screened performances which give Acting students a valuable live/screen experience.

Acting Workshop at The Maltings

Virtual Production & Motion Capture Studio, UCA Farnham

Motion Capture & Virtual Production Studio, UCA Farnham

Acting Space, UCA Farnham

Recording Studio, UCA Farnham

Launch the Virtual Tour

Careers for Acting graduates

Graduates of this impressive course might find themselves going on to work in a variety of different roles within the creative industry. These might include: