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- Acting
MA — 2024 entry Acting
GSA’s MA Acting course focuses on practical actor training, provided through a series of project workshops and rehearsals supported by extensive classes in relevant technical skills; encouraging resourcefulness, resilience and sustainable practice in students.
Why choose
this course?
- You will be taught and advised by leading West End directors, casting agents, experienced professionals and leading academics, giving you a unique and comprehensive support network and knowledge base.
- You will be provided an ensemble training for the development of performance, communication and team skills relevant to the acting profession.
- You will have opportunities to showcase your skills via public productions and industry showcases, and be inspired to produce original creative work as actors to an advanced level.
- We keep our cohorts small to ensure you get personal attention and contact from our expert teachers, who have extensive first-hand experience in professional theatre in the UK and internationally.
- Upon completion of this course, you will have an advanced knowledge of context, style and genre in the practice of acting, with a coherent personal approach to acting techniques.
- GSA facilities rank amongst some of the best professional training facilities in the UK conservatoire sector. As part of the University of Surrey, our students also have full access to the university's facilities, offering you world-class conservatoire training in a top university environment. Truly the best of both worlds!
Statistics
Fantastic graduate prospects
94% of our GSA postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
Top 10
Surrey is ranked 9th in the UK for overall satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2023)
Top 20 in UK
Surrey is ranked in the top 20 for the quality of our research outputs (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
Accreditation
![Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre logo](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2021-06/cdmt-logo.jpg?itok=HFxaNCJM)
What you will study
Our intensive MA Acting course offers you practical actor training focusing on technical skills in acting, voice and movement. These support a range of rehearsal projects, screen acting projects and public performances. You’ll also take professional development workshops to help build a bridge between your training and the profession. Your performance opportunities will include a short film project, a public production, and an industry digital showcase.
Find out what makes our degrees in performing arts different, and the secret behind our graduates’ success.
Professional recognition
MA - Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)
Accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET).
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 2
Compulsory
This module builds upon all of the previous modules through two creative projects designed for the student to achieve a professional level of entry into the industry. These are a digital industry Showcase and an Independent Performance Project, in either a live or recorded format, which is created and managed by the student. The Independent Performance Project is presented at the end of the module as either a film or a live performance, and is supported by a framing document outlining the aims and methods of the work of up to 500 words. These projects are supported by professional development workshops with guest practitioners and one-to-one tutorials. The student may opt to submit a 6,000 word Critical Evaluation in place of the Independent Performance Project. This can be a written essay on a topic of the student¿s own choosing of relevance to the programme curriculum, such as an evaluation of one area of the training from a personal perspective (6,000 word equivalent). Additional professional development workshops by guests offer students valuable information and insights into the life of a working actor, for example management of tax affairs, maintenance of a social media profile, communication and behavioural protocols for auditions, understanding the role of agents and casting directors, and other important aspects of sustaining a career in the performing arts.
View full module detailsIn this module students are given the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have been developing in other modules - Stage Acting, Voice Technique and Movement Technique - to the practical work of rehearsal and performance of theatre scripts. An initial in-class presentation of a rehearsed play (¿Bridge¿ project) models the actor-director relationship, and leads to a public-facing production of a play led by a visiting professional director. Students are encouraged to reflect upon their process of creating a sophisticated and effective performance in the public production through presentation of a character journal in a viva setting. Thus, the module provides a platform for students to further refine their grasp of fundamental principles of actor training as well as the more advanced, sophisticated technical, creative and collaborative requirements placed upon the professional stage performer.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module is designed to explore and enhance the student's capacity to meet the expressive physical demands placed upon the professional actor. The classwork is underpinned by an understanding of anatomy and incorporates a somatic focus upon bodily wellbeing as well as conditioning. A secure physical technique is developed and extended to integrate techniques drawn from influential practitioners of creative movement in order to enhance the student's bodily expressiveness and ability to delineate a dramatic character through non-verbal means.
View full module detailsThis module is designed to inculcate in the student advanced knowledge and skills in acting techniques for the screen. Through class exercises, students engage with techniques of screen acting in the creation and performance of a dramatic character. A range of scripts offer the students an opportunity to explore screen genres and approaches. Students will develop a coherent personal approach to acting for the screen out of the practical classroom exercises. Students will also learn technical fundamentals of scripting, shooting and editing a film, and these skills will be deployed in the final part of the module on self-generated projects for either professional showreel (MA Acting) or a short fiction film showcasing students¿ technical understanding of film-making as well as acting skills.
View full module detailsThis module is designed to inculcate in the student advanced knowledge and skills in acting techniques for the stage. Through class exercises, students engage with principles of stagecraft and the creation of a dramatic character in the theatre. A range of perspectives and approaches is employed over the module to ground students in acting as a cultural practice with an evolving history of styles and genres. Students will develop a coherent personal approach to their acting out of the practical classroom exercises.
View full module detailsThis module will provide the student with a firm grounding in principles and techniques of the use of the voice in acting. Practical classroom exercises will combine knowledge of vocal anatomy with development of breath, resonance and articulation, and will make use of texts selected for the purposes of practising students¿ technical facility, expressive range, musicality and creative flexibility relevant to a broad range of professional contexts.
View full module detailsGeneral course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday) between 8am and 7pm – additionally, public production modules may require evening and weekend attendance depending on the production schedules.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
GSA has an excellent reputation as a conservatoire, and graduates are sought for a variety of roles in the performing arts, as performers, creatives and as production staff. We consistently nurture students to become highly employable and resilient graduates, with a sophisticated toolkit of transferable skills. GSA offers careers advice throughout your study course and fully supports students with their first steps into the profession. We strive to ensure that our graduates develop the skills to help them enter the profession industry-ready.
GSA is part of the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS), the Alliance of Musical Theatre Conservatoires (AMTC) and the Global Conservatoire Alliance (GCA).
94 per cent of our Guildford School of Acting postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
Students at GSA have access to purpose-built studios and tutorial rooms within the GSA building and across the University campus. The fully-equipped studio spaces are fitted with sprung floors and ballet barres.
Students will have the opportunity to train, practise and perform within the Ivy Arts Centre and Performing Arts Technology Studios on campus, which include the following:
- 190-seat Bellairs Theatre
- 80-seat Rex Doyle Studio Theatre
- 128-seat Performing Arts Technology Studios (PATS) theatre
- Founders Studio with a 128-capacity studio space
- 15 dance and rehearsal studios (facilities include sound system, ballet barres, sprung floors, keyboard/piano)
- 10 tutorial/practice rooms
- Foyer area with café.
GSA productions are also presented in theatres and venues in and around Guildford and London.
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
Applicants who can demonstrate exceptional talent, and can satisfy the panel of their ability to successfully complete the course, may also be considered. Variations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Offers are made following a successful audition and interview.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2024 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £19,900 per year
- Overseas
- £22,000 per year
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2024-25 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
- Headshots: varies between £200 to £350
- Safety equipment and/or uniform: £180 approx. - Uniform including specialist footwear and bone prop
- Books/stationery/admin: £60.
Grand total: £590 - 740.
Optional expenses
Theatre trips: £150 approximately. Students should aim to see some live theatre throughout the course of their programme.
Students may wish to apply for Spotlight (including graduates casting list) and Equity membership - £200 approximately.
All students at GSA are encouraged to attend productions of their fellow students’ work to enrich their learning experience and give opportunities for critical analysis. These are public events for which students will be charged a reduced ticket price of £5.
Some productions will be free to attend and there are opportunities for first years to volunteer in front of house, enabling those students to watch that production free of charge. Within an academic year a student might expect to attend around 25 productions.
You will be offered a week’s training in Stage Combat leading to Actors Combat Theatrical Training (ACTT) Standard-level exam. Opportunities for advanced training may also be available to students. These are extra-curricular courses so additional charges apply.
During the course of their programme, you may also wish to join the GSA Student Society – estimated £5 per annum.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Apply online
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Admissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.