Potential Earnings
£54,380.24
Key details
- Course area
- Performing Arts
- Student type
- University Level
- Course type
-
Full-time University Level course
- Course level
-
Level 6
- Start date
- Monday 21st September 2026
- Location
- City Hub 111 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7HB
- Fees
- £8,250.00
- Course code
- Parent course code:C042648 Child course code: Q042649
- UCAS course code
- ACT3
- UCAS institution code
- N30
Course introduction
This three-year BA Honours degree is designed to develop your acting skills in preparation for working in the performance industry. It aims to provide a solid grounding in the practical and intellectual skills necessary for a successful career in stage, screen, digital and media industries.
Led by a team of inspiring staff with extensive experience working across the industry and within higher education, you will embark on a creative journey that aims to provide you with the tools necessary to excel in your chosen field.
About the course
This is an actor training course, predominantly taught through practical exploration and rehearsal, underpinned by research, practitioner study and critical reflection. Your training will focus on vocal, physical and emotional skills enabling you to communicate character and narrative effectively in a broad range of dramatic styles and genres. You will have the opportunity to create your own original work, enabling you to explore areas of specific and personal interest and to find your own creative voice.
Year 1 (Level 4) include:
- Performance skills
- Contemporary theatre: performance and context
- Classical theatre: performance and context
- Media performance
Year 2 (Level 5) include:
- Screen Acting
- Production Company
- Directing
- Physical Theatre
Year 3 (Level 6) include:
- Independent project
- Industry practice
- Final major performance
Performing arts facilities
- Our performing arts courses boast some of the best facilities of any performing arts degree provider in the country.
- Our 200 capacity theatre built in 2019 is our showpiece but it’s the sprung floor dance studios, rehearsal rooms and intimate performance spaces that enhance our offer to our performing arts students.
Our show season attracts audiences from across the city and beyond and our rolling programme of visits and performance workshops from some of the industry’s most prominent and talented artists means our students get lots of hands-on training and a unique insight into the varying career pathways in performing arts.
Timetable (subject to change)
The current timetable is as follows but this is subject to change:
- Thursday 09:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:00 and Friday 09:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:00
- Plus self directed study
Please note: Some classes may be delivered online.
Useful links:
- Programme Specification
- Open University Student Guide 2025/26
- Open University Validation Regulations 2025/26
Nottingham College is proud to have been awarded the Teaching Excellence Framework Bronze Award for high quality student experience and outcomes. You can read more about this on the Office for Students website.
Course information
3 years
Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Acting validated by The Open University
We expect applicants to be working at (or to demonstrate competency at) Level 2 or above in English/literacy and maths/numeracy. We accept GCSE passes in English Language and maths at Grades 9 to 4 (previously A* to C).
Applicants must also have a minimum of 48 UCAS points from study at Level 3:
- At least two A Levels at A2
- BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- Access to HE Diploma
- T levels
Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.
Applicants may be invited to attend an audition and informal interview. This can be held either on-campus here at the College or remotely.
Mature applicants not meeting the standard entry criteria but with relevant industry or life experience are very welcome to apply.
A combination of traditional and innovative assessment methods: including case studies, group projects, live briefs, peer review, research projects, critical reflection and presentations. All assessments focus on one, or a combination of exploration, preparation, rehearsal, performance and written response, there are no written examinations.
Previous graduates have moved directly into the performance industry, teaching, drama production, youth and social work, fitness training, events management and related work in the creative arts and leisure industries.
Nottingham College is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.
About the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
The TEF is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.
Video gallery
Careers related to this course
Actors, Entertainers and Presenters
Average Earnings
£29,079.12
Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Pathways
Art, Performance and Design
People in these occupations create art and fine craftwork, produce and perform plays and motion pictures, and design graphics and other products.
Media, Publishing and Information Services
People in these occupations produce, publish, and release media and provide library, archive, curation, and information services.
Skills
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.
