BA (Hons) Acting for Film
Study the craft of acting on camera
Study the craft of acting on camera
- Study classic and contemporary acting techniques to inform your own approach
- Learn from working industry professionals who really get to know you
- Engage in the practical aspects of filmmaking such as writing, editing and directing
- Choose from options that include film and special effects make up, street fighting, period and social dance, acting through song and horse riding (with prior proficiency).
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staff make the subject engaging
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positivity for staff support your learning
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positivity for being free to be able to express ideas, opinions and beliefs
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Overview
Develop specialist performance and practical skills for acting on screen
Our highly-practical BA (Hons) Acting for Film course focuses on developing your specialist screen acting performance technique and provides you with the opportunity to expand your performance skills through your choice of additional professional training options.
Study classic and contemporary acting techniques to inform your own approach
You will cultivate your own bespoke acting approach from an introduction to a broader range of acting practitioners such as Stanislavski, Hagen, Adler and Meisner, alongside the camera technique skills necessary for a convincing, truthful camera performance.
Gain practical industry skills and contextual knowledge
Alongside your screen acting training, you will develop vital knowledge of the film industry, its history, and gain experience of working on small- and large-scale productions to help you stand out in a competitive employment market.
Throughout your degree you will:
- Work both on campus and on location
- Gain experience in acting on small and larger scale film productions
- Grow your knowledge of other aspects of film and screen acting and its history
- Develop your understanding of the film industry
- Examine how the film industry contributes to and reflects contemporary culture.
Expand your professional skillset with Screen Acting Skills
Our dedicated ‘Screen Acting Skills’ modules provide you with the opportunity to develop additional practical skills in specialist performance areas to help increase your employability and allow you to pursue the areas of screen acting that interest you most.
Screen Acting Skills vary from year to year but have included:
- Writing, editing and directing
- Film combat and voice classes
- Period and historical acting
- Studio theatre performance
- Industry preparation classes
- and many more!
Learn from working industry professionals who really get to know you
Our team of expert and experienced writers, directors and actors are here to support you throughout the degree and our smaller class sizes ensure they get to know you and how best to support you.
Spotlight accredited
Our partnership with Spotlight offers you discounted graduate membership to largest casting resource in the United Kingdom, inclusion in a dedicated ‘graduate’ section of their website, access to their dedicated one-to-one career advice sessions and much more.
On this course you will:
- Develop your performance skills specifically for acting on camera.
- Expand your skillset with our range of Screen Acting Skills options.
- Gain vital experience of working productions and knowledge of the wider film industry.
- Learn from expert industry professionals who get to know you and your needs.
- Graduate ready to take full advantage of our Spotlight accreditation.
The Course
Gain vital skills in performance and experience in full-scale productions
Year One
Your first year introduces you to the core principles of acting on camera that develops the skills, techniques and understanding needed to be able to act in front of the camera.
Year Two
In your second year, you will continue to develop your screen acting skills and technique as you explore the connections between story, scripts and direction with performance.
Year Three
Your final year sees you work towards the production of a final short film dissertation project that acts as the culmination of your learning throughout your degree.
Alongside this, you will explore more advanced screen acting techniques, as you undertake multiple performance projects including recreating a classic film scene, fight sequences and a four-hander project.
Indicative modules
You will study a selection of core and optional modules in each year. Each module is worth a number of credits and is delivered differently, depending on its content and focus of study.
This list is indicative and subject to change.
Screen Acting and Spotlight Skills
Our Spotlight Skills modules allow you to choose from a range of options to expand your acting skillset.
Screen Acting and Spotlight skills options include:
- Writing
- Casting
- Directing
- Film and special effects makeup
- Street fighting
- Horse riding (with prior proficiency)
- Acting through song
- Period dance
- Sound, lighting and editing.
You have the opportunity to study film makeup and special effects with Ian Massa-Harris-McFeely as part of our specialist Spotlight Skills modules.
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Modules
Select a year
Industry Preparation 1
These sessions explore the ‘psychology of being an actor’, including the development of greater self-awareness, interpersonal connectedness, and presence in the context of acting, as well as the ability to self-tape and self-direct.
Whilst these sessions are theoretical in nature, their intention is to inform and assist a direct application of the concepts in practice.
Introduction to Film Industry
This module walks you through the various paradigms within the film industry and the use of filmic devices for dramatic and expressive intention.
Screen Acting Skills 1A
This module facilitates the learning of the methods and approaches to develop the skills, techniques and understanding needed to be able to act in front of the camera.
Screen Acting Skills 1B
This module facilitates the learning of the methods and approaches to develop the skills, techniques and understanding needed to be able to act in front of the camera.
Spotlight Skills 1
Spotlight Skills involves one compulsory strand and one free choice strand each year. The compulsory strand at Level 4 is Introduction to Film Making, which introduces you to a broad set of skills in film making, such as location hunting, writing, casting, directing, camera, lighting, sound and editing. Alongside this, you will choose one additional skill from a selection of options such as street fighting, acting through song, period and social dance and horse riding (with prior proficiency).
Film Story
In this module, you will use weekly film study to explore the elements needed in the creation of story, specifically in the process of devising for film. Through analysis and criticism, you will broaden your understanding of the connections between film making and performance.
Screen Acting Skills 2A
This module further develops your understanding of the methods, approaches, techniques and understanding needed to be able to act in front of the camera.
Screen Acting Skills 2B
This module further develops your understanding of the methods, approaches, techniques and understanding needed to be able to act in front of the camera.
Spotlight Skills 2
You will study accents as your compulsory strand at Level 5, and select one additional skill from a list of options. This could include street fighting, acting through song, period and social dance and horse riding (with prior proficiency).
Industry Preparation 2
These sessions will equip you with a fundamental and solid understanding of ‘acting for camera’.
You’ll cover camera-specific techniques such as setting up the shot, the frame of movement and use of internal transitions, exploring angle shots, and developing a keen capacity for flexible emotional intensity.
Classics On Film
You will be challenged to fully research, prepare, rehearse and film a short monologue or duologue from a choice of scenes from classical works.
You will be encouraged to display attention to detail in terms of vocal and physical characterisation. Furthermore, they will meet predetermined technical camera requirements in your performance.
In addition, you will learn the arts blocking, sequencing and eye-line to maximise the relationship with the camera and screen audience.
Film Combat
In this module, you will organise, prepare, rehearse, perform in and edit a short filmed fight sequence. You will be encouraged to display attention to detail in terms of vocal and physical characterisation. You will have access to film and sound equipment as well as editing facilities.
Screen Acting Skills 3A
This modules sees you develop a polished level of confidence in the methods, approaches, techniques and understanding needed to be able to act in front of the camera.
Screen Acting Skills 3B
This modules sees you develop a polished level of confidence in the methods, approaches, techniques and understanding needed to be able to act in front of the camera.
Spotlight Short Film (Personal Study)
The importance of technique and styles of the chosen skill will be emphasized in this bespoke programme of study. You will believably demonstrate their chosen skills in a filmed acting performance.
The Four Hander Project
You will be challenged to fully research, prepare and rehearse all four roles for two scenes, then perform one scene in one of the roles at very short notice for filming in a multi-camera set-up. You will be challenged to meet predetermined blocking and technical camera requirements in that performance.
A professional approach to rehearsal will be encouraged, and you will be required to keep a written log of all information needed to effectively take part in the live-filmed performance in any of the given roles.
At the conclusion of the module, you will have acquired a filmed scene for your show reel for future employability.
Teaching and Assessment
Feel the support of our expert and experienced staff
Smaller class sizes for better learning
You will build your subject knowledge and practical experience through lectures, workshops and tutorials in small classes, which means our expert teaching staff really get to know you and what support you need.
Assessments
You will be assessed through a range of assignments including practical acting pieces, projects and essays, which are often recorded with high production values to enable you to use them as part of a professional showreel that you can use once you graduate.
Katie
Experience
Discover dedicated performance spaces and specialist equipment to support your learning
Access facilities that include:
- Dedicated acting rooms
- Access to lighting and sound equipment
- Access to high quality 4K cameras and DSLRs
- Comprehensive technical support including camera operators in many classes
- Additional kit includes 32ft jib and Steadicam
- Editing suite.
Spotlight Skills
Choose from a selection of modules that expand your skills as a performer and/or member of the film industry.
Go beyond performance skills
Study small and larger scale film productions as you grow your knowledge of other aspects of screen acting and its history.
Close community
Our commitment to a friendly and close-knit student community contributes to a high degree of success for our graduates.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms and the Support and Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Study Abroad
Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad
As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.
Students who have completed this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.
You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to ensure that you get the best out of your time studying abroad.
Careers
Where you could go after your studies
Our BA (Hons) Acting for Film degree will prepare you for a range of careers in within the film industry.
As performers, past graduates have worked in:
- Commercial film production
- Independent film production
- Commercial television
- Music video
- Voice over
- Corporate media
- The games industry
- Website video production.
Spotlight benefits
Students on BA (Hons) Acting for Film are also eligible for Spotlight UK membership, which offers a variety of industry-specific benefits to support students to successfully access the industry.
These include discounted graduate membership, representation by Spotlight (searchable by casting directors and agents in a dedicated ‘Spotlight Graduates’ section), invitation to participate in events programme with exclusive priority booking, access to the dedicated one to one career advice sessions and Spotlight monthly tailored newsletters.
Further Study
You could choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.
Study options at the University of Chichester include:
- MA Theatre routes
- MA Screen Acting
- PGCE
- PhD/MPhil.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
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Course Costs
Course Fees 2024/25
UK fee
International fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
Entry Requirements
Typical offers (individual offers may vary):
UCAS
A Levels
BTEC
IB
IELTS
Auditions
You will need to attend a performance audition to demonstrate your ability in acting. Applicants with high levels of performance skills may be considered for a lower academic offer.
Contextual offers
We believe everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue higher education, regardless of their background.
When we receive your application we consider your personal circumstances and the factors surrounding your achievements to see if you are eligible for a contextual offer. This is an offer with a reduced entry tariff – typically the equivalent of 16 fewer UCAS points (two A-level grades).
Find out more about our contextual offers.
Interviews and Auditions
Auditions and interviews usually run from January until March/April.
We aim to offer you a genuine dialogue during your application process. This gives you a sense of worth and achievement from the audition process itself; a sense of ownership for you during the process and, ultimately, is an opportunity for us to get a clear understanding of who you are, what you need and how we can best prepare you for your degree.
We judge you on your skills, your potential and your personality, not your background.
If you are invited to audition you will receive an email asking you to book your audition date on ChiView. If you are unsuccessful we will email you to let you know.
You can usually choose between multiple days on ChiView at one time. If none of the current dates suit you please contact admissions@chi.ac.uk.
Once you have booked your audition, you will be able to access the audition guidance document on ChiView – just log into the ChiView portal, click on ‘Events schedule’ and then ‘View details’ to access the document, which will tell you how to prepare for your audition, what to expect on the day, etc.
If your situation changes and you can no longer attend your audition date, you should cancel your booking in ChiView by visiting your ‘Event Schedule’ and clicking ‘Cancel Attendance’. You also need to inform the admissions team by emailing admissions@chi.ac.uk, so we can send you a new audition invitation.
Sometimes if you are viewing your ChiView portal on a phone you will not be able to see the page correctly. If this happens you should try again on another device.
You may need to clear your browser history.
If you are still unable to see the ‘View details’ button, please check that you have successfully booked your audition by clicking ‘respond to interview invitation’.
If all else fails please email admissions@chi.ac.uk with your query and applicant number.
Once you have booked your audition, please log into the ChiView portal, click on ‘Events schedule’ and then ‘View details’ to access the audition guidance document, which will tell you (amongst other things) what will happen at the audition itself, a basic itinerary of the whole day, parking information, etc.
In brief, there should be an introductory talk by the department, the chance to meet lecturers and other applicants, as well as your opportunity to perform for the audition panel.
After your audition, the panel will discuss your performance and pass our decision onto the admissions team, who will update UCAS and email you with the outcome, whatever it might be.
- We make bespoke offers: Your offer is specifically for you. If we offer less than your predicted grades, this will reflect the potential and quality of your audition and we’d like to take a bit of pressure off of you heading into your exams.
- We don’t do unconditional offers: Unless you already have your grades (you are a mature student), we will always insist on certain grade achievements because we want you to succeed in all aspects of your academic life including your A levels, BTEC, etc.
- If you do not get the grades you wanted: Don’t panic. You received an offer because you were good enough for the department at audition. On Results Day, just ring us on the clearing hotline, so we can discuss things with you.
- We may offer you a different course: We may offer you a place on an alternative, relevant course within the department, rather than offer you the course you applied for. If this is the case, we will state this in your offer letter/email and update your course on UCAS. We will explain our reasoning, which will revolve around placing you on the most appropriate course where we think you will thrive.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.
Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.
Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.
