Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £15,860 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Teaching Quality
Sheffield Hallam University is amongst the top ten UK providers for drama in the Guardian University Guide 2023 league table.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Develop your skills as an actor and performer
- Create digital materials to showcase your work
- Research, plan and execute a wide range of performances at a professional level
- Use performance to engage with communities and challenge real-world issues.
- Join at the foundation year and develop your personal skills, awareness of resources and commitment to the subject
You’ll be immersed in the creative process of making and presenting theatre and performance in a range of styles and across a range of platforms (such as stage, screen, audio and digital/new media). You will develop your acting skills and contribute to our own festival, The Change Makers Festival.
Find out more about acting and performance courses, facilities and student projects on the SHU performance website.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
In the foundation year, you will start by developing a good base of knowledge, but also the personal skills and awareness of resources that will help you manage your studies effectively and be self-motivated.
The practical elements of the course will build throughout your time with us. You’ll take part in interactive lectures, seminars and workshops and have the opportunity to work with industry partners on live projects. At the end of your second year, you’ll travel abroad to see performances made and presented in a different context.
You learn through
- practical workshops
- working in an ensemble
- going to see performances
- independent study
- undertaking real-life projects for external clients
- lectures and seminars
Course leaders and tutors
Fraser Stevens
Lecturer in Acting and PerformanceFraser is artist/scholar and lecturer in Acting and Performance.
Applied learning
Work placements
In the second year, of the full degree, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with external partners, undertake a work placement or develop your own enterprise.
Live projects
We work with a range of local organisations (theatres, film makers, theatre companies and arts organisations) on live briefs, with staff often producing work for local festivals. You’ll be invited to participate in these projects, giving you the chance to work alongside industry professionals.
In the foundation year, you will undertake a series of projects that respond to real world debates.
Field trips
You will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of trips throughout your time on the course. We are ideally located close to Sheffield Theatres and regularly see performances there, but you will also travel to see work in other cities in the north, nationwide, and where possible, internationally. In past years, students have attended international theatre festivals and/or performed work in Prague, Venice, Berlin and Paris.
Networking opportunities
We have excellent links to local actors, companies and venues, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and talk to people from the industry.
Future careers
Our students have gone on to rewarding and fulfilling careers in
- the acting profession
- the creative industries
- film production
- marketing, communications and media
- education
- creative arts facilitation
- the charity sector
- public facing professions such as HR, training and customer service
- and a number have set up their own companies
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- The Royal Shakespeare Company
- Blowfish
- Forced Entertainment
- Third Angel
- GrowTheatre
- Sheffield Theatres
Student success story
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
Most of our teaching is conducted in our two studio theatre space, the Performance Lab. These spaces are fully equipped with lighting, sound, special effects, a communications system, changing rooms, a shower, prop, costume and set store, a green room and iMac computers. We also have three dedicated recording studios.
On this course you work with
- industry-standard cameras and sound equipment
- sound recording booths
- editing software
- theatre lighting and sound
Entry requirements
All students
48 UCAS points, including 24 points from one A Level, BTEC or equivalent; prior learning options available for students that have been out of education for a number of years, but can show some commitment to the subject (e.g. evidence of some creative writing when applying to Creative Writing course). GCSEs – English Language at C, but no requirement for Maths.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Talent Accelerator | Credits: 120 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Acting Ensemble | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Media For Acting And Performance | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Performance Commission | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Acting With Texts | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Bodies, Space, Performance | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Ideas Into Action | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Change Makers' Festival | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Acting Techniques | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Drama In Education & The Community | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Making Comedy | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Performance Lab | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £15,860 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Acting, screenwriting and film courses (PDF, 209.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
