MAActing for Screen
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- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
Why study an acting for screen master's degree at Solent University
Learn advanced screen acting techniques for film and television, working in professional studios and collaborating with expert tutors on a range of single and multi-camera projects.
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities in the last five years
- Learn practical skills and techniques required to perform in both single- and multi-camera productions.
- You will develop your acting skills more broadly in addition to screen specific techniques.
- You will engage with Practice as Research, providing you with the skills to develop your own practice through critical reflection.
- You'll engage in shooting and editing, giving you the skills to create your own content.
- Solent is home to world-class media facilities, including a Dolby Atmos cinema, fully-equipped editing suites, and a number of modern production studios.
- You'll learn from a team with a broad range of academic and industry experience.
- You can study this course part-time.
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Course overview
This exciting course offers a practical exploration of professional screen acting skills and techniques through its application in both single and multi-camera performance work and will equip you with the techniques and knowledge required to work professionally in both television and film. You'll also analyse current industry practice to support your preparation to enter it. The MA builds towards a research project culminating in the development of an on-screen performance through a Practice as Research (PaR) approach.
In the first semester, you'll focus on developing performance skills and techniques for both single and multi-camera acting to equip you with the versatility required to work professionally as a screen actor. Single camera acting is typical of film and television productions, whereas multi-camera productions are common for soap operas and situational comedies. The technical skills required to work in these two production formats are complemented by the development of practical acting techniques to create characters from practitioners such as Konstantin Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, and Sanford Meisner. Your learning is underpinned by the theoretical framework required to support your screen acting technique.
The second semester directs your thinking to your final master's project, which you'll undertake in semester three. You'll develop a project proposal which will form the theoretical framework for your final practical project. During this semester, you'll also consider the screen acting industry and how you as an actor can approach working professionally. You'll also have the opportunity for cross-course collaboration within the Department of Art and Music, allowing you to be a part of Solent’s wider postgraduate study community.
The final semester focuses on your master’s project. With tutor support, you'll apply your learning to create a final screen performance utilising a Practice as Research methodology to generate unique content for a 12- to 15-minute production which will be showcased at the end of the academic year to an invited audience.
During your studies you'll be eligible for student Equity membership at a much-reduced rate and Equity’s full membership upon graduation. This will allow you to access essential career resources, such as information on casting, contracts, pay, and to create a personal profile on their website.
Course features
Apply direct
You can apply direct to Solent University for this course
Part-time option
You can study this course part-time
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
This course is for
Solent’s MA Acting for Screen is ideally suited to students who are looking to develop their screen acting skills and techniques across a wide array of screen-related media. Applicants should have previous performance experience, though not necessarily on screen.Â
What this course leads to
This course equips you with the skills required to work as a professional Screen Actor, across a multitude of genres for film, television and screen-related media. It will also equip you with the knowledge and skills to create your own screen work for careers such as recorded media content creator. The MA also provides you with experience of Practice as Research (PaR) which can be further developed for postgraduate research, such as a PhD for those wishing to pursue academic careers.
- Professional screen actor
- Recorded media content creator
- Postgraduate researcher - MRes, MPhil, PhD
- Interdisciplinary arts project leadership
Meet the team
Course tutors are academic and/or industry professionals whose knowledge and contacts provide you with an invaluable resource for understanding contemporary trends and opportunities in the performing arts. In addition, visiting lecturers provide further insight into current workplace practice. Our focus on employability ensures that you leave us with the skills and confidence to realise your career ambitions.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Students have access to a wide range of professional equipment and facilities. Practical classes are typically taught in a studio environment, including our virtual production screen studio and multi-camera studio. When required, ADR (automated dialogue replacement) and radio studios are used for sound recording for projects. Students have access to specialist recording equipment such as video cameras, microphones, tripods and lighting equipment.
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Year one
Core modules
Single-Camera Acting
This module focuses on the development of advanced screen acting skills and techniques. Central to the module is continuity in performance, and addressing the needs of working on single-camera productions, such as feature film. The module develops your ability to adjust your acting for varying shot sizes while maintaining continuity between takes.
Multi-Camera Acting
This module focuses on the development of advanced screen acting skills and techniques. Central to the module is creating a performance which is highly effective for multi-camera productions, such as situation comedies and soap operas.
Professional Development
This module has been specifically designed to equip master's students with an in-depth knowledge of their chosen sector and provide the insight and understanding to enable them to support their long-term career plans.
Year two
Core modules
Master's Project Proposal and Development
In this module you will plan and prepare an academic proposal for your master's project or dissertation. You will be taught how to successfully define, research and prepare for a substantial project or dissertation that will bring to life research in interdisciplinary creative practice. Traditional research-based skills and knowledge will be explored in relation to contemporary research methodologies.
Master's Project
The final project is one of the most important learning activities that culminates the master's programme. It is a body of academic work, autonomous and individual, which allows you to delve into a topic of interest and develop and integrate the set of skills and abilities acquired throughout the course. This can take the form of practical performance work or a written dissertation, depending on your preference.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Learn transferable skills
You will be supported to develop a range of transferable skills throughout the course. This includes project management, research, time management, public speaking, team work, collaborative content creation, sound and video recording, sound and video editing, and performance skills. Â
Why choose acting for screen
Official statistics compiled by the British Film Institute (BFI) showed high-end film and television production in the United Kingdom contributed £6.27 billion to the UK economy. This figure only reflects the work produced by internationally-recognised production companies shooting in the UK, with the total contribution of the film, television and video sector contributing to 12.6 billion to the UK economy.
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to develop the nuanced acting skills required to realise an on-screen performance. Creating graduates who can work across a multitude of on-screen mediums such as television and film. The programme will be rooted in the study and application of psychological realism with emphasis placed on the methodology of Konstantin Stanislavski. In combination with contemporary screen acting technique.
The course has strong links with City Eye Productions who offer consultancy and provide opportunities for work experience and collaboration as and when they arise and are appropriate.Â
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Research and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island part-time fees: £4,575 per year
- International and EU part-time fees: Students from outside the UK are usually unable to obtain a visa for part-time study. Please visit our visas and immigration page for more information.
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The optional costs for the 2025/26 academic year are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 optional costs were:
- Smartphone tripod: £20 approx
- Textbooks: £60 approx
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
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Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
An honours degree at 2:2 or higher in acting/performance studies, or related subject.
Applicants will be invited to attend an audition which includes an on-screen performance of a monologue and interview with a member of the course team.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our 2023 course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with no component score below 5.5
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
