The acting industry is constantly looking for multi skilled performers. Acting at The Mill School of Performance sits within our University Centre Leeds (UCLeeds). At The Mill, we offer a wide range of acting skills and opportunities on our degree to reflect the full spectrum of acting jobs within the industry.
A 'Generalist Actor' allows a wider scope for employment. Theatre, TV and Film Production companies and Games and Animation creators are in need of actors who can sing, dance, perform stage combat, operate puppets, and have circus aerial skills. We will provide you with the opportunities to learn these essential skills as well as acting techniques, to help you carve a sustainable career in the industry.
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades one of which to be in a relevant subject
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject
GCSE English: English Language grade 4 or above. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Interviews / Audition: A successful audition and interview is required.
This course is specifically designed for people who want to become professional actors. The course is intensive, practical and exciting, reflecting exactly what the industry requires from professional actors. Students enjoy 24 hours per week of studio tuition spread over 5 days.
The course has lots of opportunities for public performances in professional theatres, TV and Film acting as well as our new module in Acting for Games and Animation. If you want a career as a professional Actor then this is the course for you.
This course is subject to revalidation by Luminate Education Group
If you have already applied somewhere through UCAS, you will need to call us to enquire about applying for 2024.
Call us on 0113 235 4450
Our friendly admissions team are there to answer all of your questions and guide you through the application process.
Not applied through UCAS but decided you want to study a degree? You can apply directly to University Centre Leeds without going through UCAS, saving the £27.50 application fee. If the following criteria apply, you can use our applicant portal to submit your application:
How to Apply:
To access your account again and complete your application, use the second link provided in your verification email.
Need Help? For further information, please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk
Please note, if you apply directly, we are required to submit a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) application to UCAS on your behalf if your application is successful and you enrol.
You will study a variety of acting styles that will help you progress a career in the professional industry.
Actor Toolbox 1 - 20 CreditsIn this module you will develop the essential skills of dance, singing, voice production, improvisation, and actor musicianship to compliment your acting skills at an introductory level.
Actor Toolbox 2 - 20 Credits
This module allows you to further develop the skills of dance, singing, voice production, improvisation and actor musicianship towards a professional industry standard.
Celebration and Confrontation - 20 Credits
The Celebration and Confrontation module will enable you to develop an awareness of the methods and principles behind creating performance material.
Identity - 20 Credits
Through studying this module you can develop the awareness of what makes you a unique performer and what is useful and safe for you to use from your personal life and personality when creating performance work. This is an essential quality to have for any professional Actor.
Actor development - 20 Credits
In this module you will develop your personal skill development plan and design in detail your career trajectory.
History of Theatre (A Practical Exploration) - 20 Credits
Throughout the module you will develop the techniques and skills associated with the most common genres of theatre performed in Theatres today. These genres include: Ritual/Greek, Elizabethan, Victorian, Naturalism, Contemporary Theatre’ Contemporary Physical Theatre.
Performance for Theatre, TV and Film - 40 Credits
Develop the techniques and skills associated with live and recorded performance. This module allows you to rehearse and perform 4 different projects to a public audience during the year.
Acting for Games and Animation - 20 Credits
Through studying this module you can develop the techniques and skills associated with acting for the games and animation industry. You will be given the opportunity to apply the additional skills learnt in the Actor Toolbox modules to a digital environment focussing on motion capture and voice over.
Professional Engagement - 20 Credits
Within this module you can develop the skills you will need to be ready to find work in the industry. This module focuses on creating your Spotlight page, Tax, National Insurance, creating a website, networking opportunities, headshots, self tapes and showreels.
Theatre for Contemporary Audiences - 20 Credits
Through studying this module you can develop the techniques and skills associated with visualising and creating a new interpretation of already existing material.
Actor Toolbox 3 - 20 Credits
Through studying this module you can develop the techniques and skills of Dance, Voice Production, Circus Aerial, Puppetry and Script Writing at a professional level.
Stage Combat
All students study the skills of stage combat throughout the 2 years resulting in an additional qualification and certificate from the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. There is no additional cost for this qualification.
This course delivers a wide range of skills required to work as a professional actor in all aspects of the industry.
A particular feature of this course is the focus on the actors' own Identity and how to use this to create authentic and original performances. Well being and fitness is a key element of the course allowing students to find a positive balance between high intensive performances and calm reflective practice. Students enjoy the close relationship between staff and peers that creates a bond for life and a place to belong.
This is a highly practical course. The majority of the assessments are practical performances.
The academic assessments focus on and reflect your practical work. All academic assessment methods reflect real life tasks done by Actors in the real world. Some examples of these tasks are, logbooks, presentations, research reports and skills audits.
The course is predominantly delivered at Prime Studios. Prime Studios is a thriving film and TV production and office facility located on Kirkstall Road, close to the city centre and other production sector businesses including ITV. The studio offers the film and television industry spaces for short or long-term rental. This makes for a very professional, mature and exciting place to study as Film and TV productions are being filmed in the same location as our course is delivered.
As well as Prime Studios, our students enjoy using our Quarry Hill Campus for academic studies, which is part of Leeds cultural quarter and the professional dance studios at our Park Lane campus.
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades one of which to be in a relevant subject
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject
GCSE English: English Language grade 4 or above. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Interviews / Audition: A successful audition and interview is required.
On successful completion of this programme students can continue onto a Top Up Level 6 Course or employment.
Job opportunities may include:
Professional actor
Director
Producer
Workshop Facilitator
Presenter
For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.
For the latest version of the University Centre Leeds Regulations please click here.
Applications for 2025 will open soon, please check back for how to apply.
Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)
Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.
For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.
Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student
International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.
For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.
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