BA Acting
About this course
BA (Hons) in Acting BA (Hons), a drama degree focused on performance techniques, theatrical history and contemporary actor training. Students build a professional acting portfolio and engage with industry partners such as York Theatre Royal through dedicated studio facilities and the campus Creative Centre. The first year establishes core foundations through modules including Voice as Action, An Actor's Body, Performance Analysis and Research, Screen Project, Workshop Facilitation and Character Development. The second year introduces collaborative and analytical study via Text and Performance, Devising Ensemble Theatre and Politically Engaged Practice, alongside optional choices such as Performance in Community Context, Acting for Screen, Physical Performance, Acting Through Song, Performance Activism and Contemporary Scripts. The final year centres on professional preparation and performance realisation through compulsory modules such as Acting Showcase, Company: Research, Company: Commission, Professional Portfolio and Performance Research.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements: 104 UCAS Tariff points; and 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language. Audition: If your application is successful you will be invited to provide a digital audition.
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 69%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 54%
- Learning resources: 76%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 10%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 70%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Voice as Action
- An Actor's Body
- Performance Analysis and Research
- Screen Project
- Workshop Facilitation
- Character Development
- Text and Performance
- Devising Ensemble Theatre
- Politically Engaged Practice
- Performance in Community Context
- Acting for Screen
- Physical Performance
- Acting Through Song
- Performance Activism
- Contemporary Scripts
- Acting Showcase
- Company: Research
- Company: Commission
- Professional Portfolio
- Performance Research
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Acting at York St John University earn?
The median salary is £21,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £21,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £16,000 and £29,000. The £21,500 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Drama.
What do graduates of BA Acting at York St John University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Acting at York St John University?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Acting at York St John University?
The average entrant had 117 UCAS points.
Does BA Acting at York St John University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Acting at York St John University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.