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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Acting and Performance

Dancer on stage under red light during the Design for dance project.
Performer during the Design for dance project. Photography by Wild Fox.
BA (Hons) Acting and Performance, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
College
Wimbledon College of Arts
UCAS code
W415
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA Acting and Performance at Wimbledon College of Arts is for students who are interested in acting as an artistic practice and a key driver of contemporary culture.

Subject to re-approval

This course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high-quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Course overview

BA Acting and Performance will enable you to become a creative, confident and articulate performer who can work across a variety of performance forms and contexts. You will develop your physical, vocal and intellectual skills both individually and in an ensemble. The course will also provide you with the opportunity to work with new technologies and innovative performance practices. It will make you ready for industry, but also ready to challenge it, placing you at the cutting edge of the latest innovations. 

What to expect 

  • Become a storyteller: Learn how to tell new stories, bring marginalised experiences to life and present alternative realities through your performance practice.
  • Diverse training: Experiment with new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality and learn how to act in digital, interactive and immersive performances. 
  • Collaborative performances: Take part in College productions with students from across disciplines and courses.
  • Characterisation: Learn how to embody different characters and present believable personas both on stage and on screen.
  • Global perspective: Learn about different intercultural, world theatre and global performance practices.
  • Contextual understanding: Examine the politics of performance-making processes and learn how to develop an ethical and socially engaged practice.
  • Specialist training environment: Train in Wimbledon’s specialist performance space and have access to all our industry standard facilities including our theatre, technically enhanced studio, costume workshops, animation room and rehearsal studios. View the Wimbledon facilities.

Mode of study 

BA Acting and Performance is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Year 1 

Unit 1: Introduction to Acting and Performance

This unit is an introduction to your course, the College and the University. 

Unit 2: Acting Lab

This unit will introduce you to the key theories and practical approaches to contemporary acting. You’ll attend lively workshops where you’ll learn how to embody emotions, interpret texts and represent different characters. Theory-based seminars will expand your knowledge of the historical, social and cultural contexts that underpin acting and performance.

Unit 3: Theatre in context

This unit investigates theatre as an expanding field of cultural practice. Taking both a local and global approach, you’ll consider what theatre might mean to different communities. You’ll explore different practices in relation to their social, cultural and historical contexts and consider the complex politics and ethics of cross-cultural performance.

Unit 4: Representing the real

This unit will introduce you to some of the foundational practices and theoretical questions concerning the relationship between reality and representation. This awareness will help you grow your acting and performance-making skills so you can authentically position yourself within the context of an event and scenography.

Year 2 

Unit 5: Performance histories

This unit explores different approaches to acting and performance as cultural narration and storytelling practice. Project briefs will enable you to investigate your own stories, histories and cultural identities. You’ll explore the creative potential of acting and performance to tell stories, give voice to marginalised experiences and generate alternative perspectives. 

Unit 6: Collaborative and collective practices

You will be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities.

Unit 7: Digital performance lab

This unit investigates the rapidly developing field of digital performance and its transformative impact on contemporary theatre forms. You will explore performance making for digital environments and platforms, including acting for screen and interactive media. You’ll also have opportunities to experiment with new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. 

Unit 8: Contemporary acting

This unit looks at a range of contemporary acting practices, directors, theorists and practitioners. Project briefs will enable you to focus on a specific mode or practice and area of enquiry. Working individually or in groups or companies, you’ll experiment with compositional methods, rehearsal strategies and develop new hybrid practices. 

Year 3 

Unit 9: Performance research

This unit will provide you with a firm grounding in performance research. You will learn how to frame research questions, conduct a critical literature and practice review, identify appropriate research methods and form a sustained critical and theoretical argument, whether in performance practice or through writing. 

Unit 10: Multi-modal production

This unit will provide you with a firm grounding in the practical production of contemporary performance. You will perform in a professional-standard public production, using a range of contemporary acting techniques and digital performance processes. Working with directors, designers, technicians and other performers will expose you to the full production process.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Acting and Performance (with Creative Computing).
 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Collaborative work
  • Group and individual tutorials
  • Independent study
  • Introductions and inductions to university, college and course resources
  • Investigative seminars
  • Lectures and visiting speaker talks
  • Performance analysis of live theatre and digital screenings
  • Performance labs
  • Practical performance projects
  • Practical workshops
  • Production projects
  • Project based learning
  • Staff and student led seminars and discussions
  • Studio, external venue and other visits
  • Training for performance sessions
  • Use of resource venues and institutions

BA Acting and Performance

Open day recording

Course Leader Stella Odunlami gives an overview of BA Acting and Performance at Wimbledon College of Arts.

Student work

  • Wimbledon-College-of-Arts-BA-Acting-and-Performance-Alicia-Gilmartin-web.jpg
    Alicia Gilmartin
    BA (Hons) Acting and Performance, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Wimbledon-College-of-Arts-BA-Acting-and-Performance-Lloyd-Tshuketana-web.jpg
    Lloyd Tshuketana
    BA (Hons) Acting and Performance, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Wimbledon-College-of-Arts-BA-Acting-and-Performance-Toby-Robertshaw-web.jpg
    Toby Robertshaw
    BA (Hons) Acting and Performance, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL

Film

Show 2022: Juraj Benko

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Acting, Performance or Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • Interest in, commitment to and motivation for studying the subject
  • Ability to work imaginatively and creatively individually and in groups
  • Ability to create, develop and respond to new ideas and to work with new creative forms
  • Desire to learn
  • Ability to investigate and develop ideas independently
  • Ability to communicate ideas physically, verbally and in writing
  • Aptitude for creative problem solving
  • Ability to self-direct and critically evaluate work
  • Willingness to think critically about the relationship between performance and public / social life
  • Openness and responsiveness to other’s ideas

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W415

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W415

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Checking your application

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. Following this check, some applicants will then progress to the workshop/interview stage.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. This will be held onsite at Wimbledon College of Arts and online. The interview will last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

Upon completing this course, you will be:

  • Equipped with a range of specialist acting skills and transferrable performance skills. These will enable you to work within the theatre, creative and cultural industries
  • Able to communicate effectively through the medium of performance
  • Confident about your ideas and ability to transfer them into a professional environment.
  • Able to work independently and collaboratively
  • Connected and engaged with critical communities of performance related debate and research
  • Prepared for postgraduate study

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.