Acting and Performance - BA (Hons)

Structure

All students enrol onto the honours degree, but you can choose to exit with an ordinary degree after Year Three.

Teaching, learning and assessment

A large portion of your course will be delivered through skills-based workshops. You will have the opportunity to perform in professional standard public productions, to showcase your digital and live theatre work to industry professionals, and undertake a student-led research and creative entrepreneurship performance project with a supporting personal portfolio to support your career after graduation. You will be assessed through a range of performances, vivas, workshop participation, reflective reports and presentations.

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Facilities

Our fully resourced studio theatre and smaller black box studio are kitted out with sound, lighting and projection equipment for your use. In addition, we have a scenic workshop for building sets and props, a scenography studio for set design, and a costume studio and store. You will have access to eight bookable rehearsal studios (two with sprung floors), as well as our dance studio and gym hall.

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In Year One, you will: 

• explore the Creative Industries;
• work at a foundation level on voice, movement, acting for theatre and film;  
• build devising skills; and
• understand theatre production. 

In Year Two, you will: 

deepen your skills in voice, movement, acting for theatre and film; 
build improvisation skills; and 
study and perform Scottish Theatre. 

In Year Three, you will: 

• build an expressive set of voice and movement skills; 
  explore characterisation and in-depth character development; 
  discover the dynamics and performative structures of a wide range of contemporary and historical texts; and 
  understand and develop a range of film and media techniques for acting in front of, and working behind, the camera. 

In Year Four, you will: 

• create an audition portfolio and audition for a range of industry specialists;
• create a digital showreel and a voice reel;
• perform in a piece of live theatre and make a film or research, create and perform a piece of creative work;
• perform in both a live and digital showcase; and
• learn about the industry and how to market yourself within it.

NB The course is currently in development. The full list of modules will be published on the course page on our website when available. 

Successful completion of the course gives you the skills necessary to work as an actor or to apply these skills to a wide range of other roles in the performing arts such as playwriting, community outreach, and theatre in education. Many of our students go on to establish their own creative business.

You can read about the careers of some of our drama and performing arts graduates on a dedicated section of our website.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard - BCC, Minimum - CCC

A Level: BC

Required Subjects: Nat 5 English or equivalent required and maths preferred at Nat5/GCSE level at grade C/4 or above

Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: Minimum score of 24 with 3 subjects at higher level at grade H4 or above

International: IELTS of 6.5 with no element lower than 6.0. 

HNC: For Year One entry only, HNC/HNC (Next gen) in any subject area with a C/Achieved or above in the graded unit. ÌýMust include Communications module or, if not, then Nat 5 English is required tooÌý

BTEC (QFC): MMP in a related subject plus National5/GCSE English or equivalent at C/4 or aboveÌý

NC or Foundation Course: Pass at NC or Foundation in Acting and Performance and Nat5/GCSE English or equivalent at C/4 or above
NB We still welcome UCAS applications from HND students or those with the first two years of a relevant degree for direct entry into Year Three.Ìý

Direct Entry to Year Three only: HND Acting and Performance/Musical Theatre with A in the graded unit for the second year. Foundation degrees in appropriate subjects considered. Two years of a relevant degree considered.

We welcome applications from mature students with relevant qualifications and/or experience.Ìý

Final selection is based on an audition (TBC).

Other requirements

A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme will be required if you select the optional module Drama in Education later in your studies.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at ҹɫֱ²¥. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the Disability Service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Fee information

Fees: Please follow the link in the 'Course Overview' box for information on fees for 2027 entry.

Other costs:

• The cost of the PVG check is your responsibility. For more information on this, visit theÌýUG 2027 fees page on our website.
• You will be expected to cover some additional expenses for equipment etc (circa £500).

Application information

How to apply: Application for this course should be made through . More application information is available in the 'Start your Application' box at the top right of this page.

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Email Admissions

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2027/28 Entry Applicant and Student Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• The course information on this page is correct at the time of print posting (Feb 2026) but is subject to  change following revalidation in May 2026. Please check back here for updates.