37th
UK University
Guardian University Guide 2023
7th
in the UK for teaching quality
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022
Top 10
for student satisfaction
Complete University Guide 2023
Overview
Develop specialist screen acting performance skills and techniques
Our MA Screen Acting course provides you with the requisite specialist techniques and advanced performance skills to fully prepare you for a career in any of the major areas of the industry that focuses on moving image content production.
Develop advanced performance skills and techniques that could be used in:
- Film
- TV
- Games
- Adverts
- Trailers
Gain vital contemporary performance skills in that extend beyond traditional training
Underpinned by traditional visceral and dynamic acting classes, you will receive additional training in Motion Capture Performance and Combat for the Screen and Voice, as you gain a deep applied knowledge of the opportunities for the contemporary screen actor.
Learn from industry practitioners within a professional environment
You will feel the support of our team of working industry professionals and great emphasis is placed upon working to ‘real-world’ briefs, to ‘real-world’ deadlines and in a professional environment within a state-of-the-art media technology facility.
Join our collaborative community and produce your own work
Collaborating with students studying Film Production, 3D Animation and Screenwriting, you will be encouraged and supported to devise and produce your own work as you prepare to enter this highly-competitive professional field.
Partnerships
As a part of the Department of Creative Industries you will benefit from our industry partnerships with companies including HyperX, DXRacer, Twitch, ARRI, and AVID, and be able to access to industry standard software such as Nuke, Maya and Houdini.
The Course
Expand your performance skills with advanced professional training
This programme recognises the significant place the performer has in MoCap for cinema and gaming, the demands for combat and armoury awareness and the opportunities offered for voicing animated characters, voice-overs for advertising and ADR.
Specialist skills workshops
You will be able to take part in a range of one-off introductory technical acting workshops. These workshops could include motion capture, combat for the screen, and audio work.
Introductory workshops are run by specialist guest lecturers, and you will be able to complete in-depth training in these areas to suit your needs throughout the course.
Motion Capture
You will explore the physical world of the actor, the technical studio environment, head-rigs and the understanding of how to work with a Motion Capture crews for virtual performance projects.
Combat Training
Highly-qualified, specialist armourers and combat coordinators with experience in film and television drama and re-enactments will introduce you to combat skills and training, as well as discussing risk assessments and health and safety.
You will cover:
- Range firearms
- Muskets and automatic rifles
- Weapons such as swords and axes
Audio work
You will explore audio related to screen-based content. This can range from voice over for advertising, automated dialogue replacement and voicing characters for animation. You will study in a professional recording environment in these crafts and complete vocal lessons and dialect training with experienced tutors.
Indicative module
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 future change.
Analysis, Practice and Technique
In this module, you will explore the key trends and critical concepts relating to the contemporary screen actor. You will examine the work of acting practitioners, influencers and content makers, and gain a firm foundation of the theory of practice from the actor’s perspective.
Dissertation Practical Project or Research Project
In this independent module, you have the opportunity to pursue your own enthusiasms and specialisms. This will usually take the form of a significant piece of work that is either a critical reflective analysis piece, or a substantial written research project.
Research and the Industry
Taken by all MA students within the department, this module prepares you for the critical, self-reflective and analytical aspects of practice-based study at Master’s level, and lays the groundwork for further potential study at Doctoral level.
Screen Acting Performance Projects: Part 1
This module offers you ‘interior’ studio based performance practice. These sessions explore camera practice, performance analysis and text work. the aim is to prepare you for an immersive film shoot experiences and also their final independent dissertation projects later in the year. the range of work produced could enable you to create professional level content for your show reels later in the year enhancing your employability opportunities.
Screen Acting Performance Projects: Part 2
This module offers you the opportunity to develop further your screen acting and creative skills, alongside your reflective practitioner understanding.
Specialist Craft Skills Part 1: Audio Work & Motion Capture
This module develops a range of contemporary audio and film skills. Recognising an ever-changing landscape around emerging technologies and the new platforms actors are expected to engage with, this module is dynamic and physically demanding. You will work with leading experts across numerous fields of practice relating to motion capture , facial capture, and audio work. the training gained through this module will underpin and inform the range of skills needed for contemporary screen acting careers.
Specialist Craft Skills Part 2: Action Performance – Combat and Weaponry
This module develops a range of contemporary action performance skills, as you will work with leading experts across numerous fields of practice relating to ‘action performance. Recognising an ever-changing landscape around emerging technologies and the new platforms actors are expected to engage with, this module is very dynamic and physically demanding.
Teaching and Assessment
Feel the support of our expert and experienced staff
Teaching
You will learn through small classes and from working with industry professionals, including professional filmmakers and experienced practitioners, with extensive and successful careers in the industry.
You will build your subject knowledge and practical experience through lectures, research, analysis and skills development classes to enhance your specialist theoretical understanding and practical skills.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a range of creative and practical assignments, including:
- Practical performances
- Audio/video projects
- Video essays
- Presentations
- Research papers
Facilities
Discover industry standard software and equipment
Discover our £35 million Tech Park
Our Bognor Regis Campus boasts the £35m Tech Park and brings together science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics courses on one state-of-the-art site.
- 300sqm film studio
- 80 square-metre green screen stage for motion capture and Chroma work
- Motion capture equipment
- Professional standard post-production facilities and recording studios
- Idea Labs
- Animation Labs
Motion capture technology
Our dedicated motion capture equipment allows you to bring your visions to life on the big screen.
Film and Green Screen Studios
Our specialist film and green screen studios allow you to develop professional level productions on campus.
Expert staff
Our industry-experienced staff get to know you and your learning needs to help you thrive.
Post-production facilities and recording studios
Discover our range of facilities for audio and visual media post-production.
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.
Careers
Where you could go after your studies
This MA Screen Acting course will prepare you for your acting and performance career in the creative industries.
Our previous graduates have gone on to have careers in the following areas:
You could work in fields including:
- Action Performance
- Motion Capture Performance
- Commercial and Independent Film Production
- Television
- Voice Over
- Corporate Media
- The Games Industry
Further Study
After you graduate you could continue your studies and enter academic research by completing a Professional Doctorate.
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.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
Entry Requirements
Typical Offer (individual offers may vary):
- A 2:1 in a related undergraduate programme
- Professional experience with a 2:1/2:2 degree
- Extensive professional career
- 2:2 with portfolio of previous work for internal candidates
Auditions
All students will have to pass an audition process and have performance experience.
Interviews and Auditions
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.
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.
