Acting for Stage and Screen

UCAS code: W410

Here's what The Northern School of Art says about its Acting for Stage and Screen course.

Spotlight-accredited. Actor in Training. Stage & Screen. This is your drama school style experience outside of London.

You’ll be treated as actors in training from day one. This intensive programme combines up to 30 hours of weekly contact time with opportunities to collaborate across Costume, Set Design, and Film & TV programmes. Guided by industry professionals and guest lecturers, you’ll develop a professional CV, showreel, and solo show, preparing you for a career on stage, screen, or beyond.

Our creative community is central to your experience, offering a supportive, close-knit environment where collaboration is key. You’ll refine your craft through hands-on, practical learning while building a strong academic foundation in the theory of acting. The programme culminates in an industry showcase at the ARC Theatre, connecting you directly with agents and casting professionals.

With state-of-the-art facilities and a curriculum designed to bridge stage and screen acting, this programme gives you a distinct edge in the competitive creative industries. Our graduates leave not just with exceptional skills but also the confidence, connections, and professional standards needed to succeed.

Year One The focus of Year One will be on introducing concepts, developing technique and professional standards. Industry standards and professional practice will be embedded in all modules ensuring students know from the outset what is expected of a professional actor. Modules will look at the core acting skills of voice, physicality and characterisation working on new work and scripted text for both stage and screen. The students will work on devised pieces in order to develop the ability to create their own work and enhance their ability to have longevity in their careers. These skill-based modules will culminate in a full production, with students working collaboratively with their peers on films, theatrical productions and new writing.

• Core Acting Skills 1 • Script Interpretation • Creative Thinking • Contemporary Practice 1 • Production 1

Year Two As students progress onto Year Two they will continue to develop skills but also be more industry facing as they will produce work that is moving towards industry standard. They will expand on the core skills developed in Year One by working with classical text, clowning and acting for a wide range of mediums including recorded voice. The year will culminate with the production of a classical text to showcase their skill development. Throughout the year students will work with local practitioners to expand their contacts and also their knowledge of industry expectations. Career planning and employability will also be embedded into modules to ensure students are beginning to plan for after graduation.

• Core Acting Skills 2 • Film and Media Production • Creative Discussion • Contemporary Practice 2 • Production 2

Year Three In the final year students will take more autonomy over their own career path by specialising in the fields they want to pursue after graduation. As the acting industry is so competitive it is important that whilst students specialise, they continue to be open to all opportunities whether performing for stage or screen and continue to develop their skills in creating their own work. Students will create their own solo shows which could be developed in the future. Alongside this they will work on new material for stage and screen with their peers. For their final project they will be directed in a major show that will showcase the skills they have developed throughout the programme and be a springboard into industry. Students will develop a learning agreement as part of Project Research & Development for what projects and roles they will undertake as part of Production 3. All students will be part of productions in Advanced Acting Skills. Similarly, all students will take part in a production as part of Showcase & Professional Development in addition to creating appropriate material to prepare them for the sector including a showreel, voice reel and CV.

• Advanced Acting Skills • Project Research & Development • Dissertation/Report • Production 3 • Showcase & Professional Development

In course assessment. Each module is assessed upon completion and given a percentage mark.