The Arden School of Theatre

Acting

BA (Hons)
Leaflet Code: CR60191FT


Overview

This CDMT accredited course offers high intensity, industry focused training for Actors.

Your training includes, acting for screen, text study, voice and movement skills, acting for audio and scene study. The course aims to give students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience the tools to work as an actor in the industry.

The course is designed to be diverse, practical and industry relevant to reflect careers within the acting profession. This provides invaluable experience and links to the industry within the vibrant and expanding Manchester theatre scene.

  • City Campus Manchester
  • Full Time
  • 3 years
  • September 2025

Awarding Partner:

Sheffield Hallam University

Paul Broughton (Programme Leader) - Lecturer
Marie Critchley – Acting Lecturer, Head of Year 1
James Mair – Acting Lecturer
Rachel Austin – Acting Lecturer, Head of Year 3
Lily MacKenzie – Voice and Singing Lecturer, Head of Year 2
Simon Jones – Movement Lecturer
Paul Broughton (Course Leader) - Liverpool One, George Gently, Brookside, Billy Elliot, Doctor Who
Marie Mair - Coronation Street, In the Flesh (BAFTA winner), The Secret Agent, The Casual Vacancy, Line of Duty
James Mair - Spike Island, Coronation Street, Last Tango in Halifax.
Rachel Austin - Black Roses (Television and Royal Exchange)
Lily Mackenzie – Voice Teacher
Simon Jones – Movement Teacher
Graham Lappin – Singing Teacher
Visiting Practitioners to the course have included:
• Sally Carman (Shameless, Prisoners Wives)
• Mark Womack (Hillsborough, The Good Cop, Route Irish)
• Shaun Dooley(Cuffs, Broadchurch ,South Riding)
• Jake Abraham (Game Of Thrones)
• Martin Gibbons Casting (nominated for casting director of the year 2016)
• Reuben Johnson (Prisoners Wives)
• Andrew Ellis (This Is England)
• Nico Miralleggro (My Mad Fat Dairy,The Village, Spike Island).
• Maxine Peake (Shameless. Myra Hindley)
• Colin McKeown (Producer, LA Productions – Moving On)
• Joanne Moss (Casting – Coronation Street)
• Peter Hunt (Casting – Hollyoaks)
• Ken Horn (Producer-Line of Duty)


• 96 UCAS tariff points

• We strongly recommend that all applicants have GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades A*-C or level 9-4.

• If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.

• Full level 3 qualification

In order to assess your potential as a performer all applicants at The Arden are required to audition. Each course has its own unique way of auditioning in order to ensure we see your full potential at audition. For a more detailed overview of our audition processes on our programmes please click here. <a href='https://thearden.ucenmanchester.ac.uk/about/auditioning/'>Click Here</a>

UCEN Manchester is unable to consider international applications due to UKVI regulations.


Year 1: Context and Guidance (20 credits)
In order to further develop and strengthen subject knowledge, this module aims to encourage students to identify and examine their own practice in the wider context of the history of Acting in a variety of contexts and mediums

Year 1: Introduction to Camera (20 credits)
In order to further develop and strengthen subject knowledge, this module aims to introduce students to the medium of television and the current working practise of the television industry.

Year 1: Preparation for Screen Acting (20 credits)
In order to further develop and strengthen subject knowledge, this module aims to introduce students to the fundamental methodologies and principles involved when preparing for contemporary television drama. It also transfers and embeds creative skills from other modules within the creative medium of television and the current working practice of the television industry

Year 1: Skills for the Actor (20 credits)
In order to further develop and strengthen subject knowledge, this module aims to equip students with the necessary vocal and physical understanding, discipline and technique to develop the skills required by the actor.

Year 1: Tools Of The Trade 1: The Naturalistic Actor (20 credits)
In order to further develop and strengthen subject knowledge, this module aims to identify the common principles of acting as established by practitioners such as Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Mike Leigh and Sanford Meisner introducing technique and skills in the development of an acting process

Year 1: Tools of The Trade 2: The Actor and the Text (20 credits)
This module aims to develop the fundamental approaches and principles involved when building a complex character through dramatic action and will enable the student to employ textual analysis, research and observation in the development of roles in selected texts.

The course is a practical training which is 90% practical, with a minimal amount of written work.
This may include:
- Live Performance
- Recorded Performance
- Character Studies
- Professional Discussions
- Viva Voce (live open-book interview/discussion)
- Presentation

There are two main costs you will have whilst studying and if you are a home student studying on a full-time course, you can apply for student finance to cover both of these:
• Your tuition fees for each year of your course.
• Help with your living costs e.g. rent, food, clothing, course materials, entertainment.
You can find more details, including the actual tuition fee charged on our Fees, Funding and Finance Page.

Learn more

All of the books required for the course are available from the library. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 each year for books and printing.
Clothing approx. £60
Travel/Accommodation contribution for 3rd Year London Showcase: Approx £65

All students are subject to UCEN Manchester’s Terms and Conditions from the date they accept an offer to study here. The UCEN Manchester Admissions Policy and Procedure can be found here.