BA (Hons) Performance - Acting | Diploma in Professional Acting

Explore the course:

Course Overview

Course Content

Graduates

Entry

Fees

Auditions and interviews

Showcase

Course Overview

Mountview’s vocational actor training will thoroughly prepare you for a career in theatre, TV, film and recorded arts.

The course develops technical acting skills through a combination of workshops and performances. Classes are designed to inspire imaginative engagement and develop practical experience, encouraging students to take risks, develop strengths and expand their acting range.

Early application is strongly encouraged.

Course Content

2025/26 Term Dates
Autumn term 8 September – 12 December 2025
Spring term 5 January – 2 April 2026
Summer term 20 April – 17 July 2026

Delivery

Study takes place over three 12-week terms a year for three years. Students work in small classes and receive over 25 hours of direct teaching time each week.

The course is delivered through classes, projects, workshops and performance opportunities. During the course students engage in a range of performance projects, working on Shakespeare, contemporary plays and musicals as well as devising original work. The first half of each term is devoted to skills classes whilst in the second half of each term these skills are applied to performance projects.

Skills

Acting
Acting for camera
Improvisation
Actor & text
Voice
Singing
Movement & dance
Verse
Alexander Technique
Research
Reflection on acting practice

Performance

Realism project
Ensemble project
International Text

2025/26 Term Dates
Autumn term 10 September – 12 December 2025
Spring term 5 January – 2 April 2026
Summer term 20 April – 17 July 2026

Delivery

In the second year, skills are further explored in collaboration classes which include peer integration and team teaching to enhance your creativity and help you to make connections between subjects.

Additionally, there is time given to tailored ‘surgeries’ to focus on detail and help develop independence and confidence in each individual’s practice.

Skills

Acting
Acting for camera
Singing & musical theatre
Actor & text
Voice
Movement & dance
Recorded voice
Stage combat
Career development
Reflection on acting practice
Audition technique

Performance

Shakespeare
Bespoke text
American text

2025/26 Term Dates
Autumn term 1 September – 19 December 2025
Spring term 5 January – 19 April 2026
Summer term 20 April – 7 June 2026

Skills

Audition technique
Reflection on acting practice

Performance

Two public productions and one film with screening
Industry showcase
TV showreel
Recorded voice reel

All modules are compulsory. This is a practical, vocational course which is assessed both continuously and through specific assignments. You are required to write a reflection on acting practice during each year of the course which supports your ability to interrogate and reflect upon your learning. There are also supporting classes that are un-assessed elements of the training including Alexander Technique, audition technique and the third year professional showcase.

If you secure professional work in your final year you may, subject to approval, be assessed on this in place of one of the public productions and still receive a Degree.

Our Graduates

Notable Acting graduates include:

GILES TERERA – Hamilton (West End), Othello (National Theatre)
LOUISA HARLAND – Derry Girls (Channel 4)
EDDIE MARSAN – The Power (Amazon Prime), Deadpool 2 (20th Century Fox)
JIM HOWICK – Ghosts (BBC), Horrible Histories (BBC)
BRENDAN COYLE – Downton Abbey (ITV)

For a full overview of what our recent graduates are up to, check out our Alumni News.

"From the first audition, I knew that Mountview was the school for me. It has been the most incredible three years. I've met friends that I will hold dear for the rest of my life."

- Arian Nik, Mountview Alumnus (Artemis Fowl, Killing Eve, Count Abdulla)

Entry Information

Applicants must be aged 18 or turn 18 within the first term of the course. Admission onto the course is by audition and previous academic qualifications are not essential.

However, one of the following is desirable:

• Five GCSE passes and two A-Levels or
• Four SCE Higher Grade passes
• BTEC National or Higher National Certificate or Diploma with merit grades
• Foundation course
• Access to Higher Education Diploma

If an applicant requires a student visa and their first language is not English, they will need to prove their knowledge of the English language before applying for their student visa. This must be demonstrated by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider or having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that they began when they were under 18.

Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.

Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.

Upon offer, students must be sure that they are prepared to engage with a wide range of material that may challenge their personal ethical, religious, spiritual or moral beliefs, and present it in a wide range of settings including public performance.

Fees

Audition Fee	£50
UK/ROI students	£15,480 p/a
International students	£20,290 p/a

Students may apply for a maximum Student Tuition Fee Loan of £6,000. For more information, please refer to our Funding and Scholarships page below.

All fees listed are for Year 1 2025/26 entry. Fees are subject to annual review and may increase in years 2 and 3 in line with inflation. One term’s notice will be given of any increases.

Limited audition fee waivers and reductions are available for candidates with a household income of less than £21,000.

Additional costs include grey palette active wear for workshops and dance shoes – allow around £180. In year 3 there will be additional costs for headshots and Spotlight membership – allow £350.

Funding and Scholarships

Auditions Info

First round BA Performance auditions will take place in-person. For international candidates and those with exceptional circumstances, the option of an online first-round audition is available.

For detailed information on what you need to prepare for auditions and for audition dates visit:

Auditions and Interviews

Showcase

The focus of the third year is public performance, film and recorded voice. Students work with professional creative teams to present a range of productions and an industry showcase, and create a voice and film showreel.

Audiences for third year productions will include agents, casting directors and other industry figures, as well as the general public.

Students also work closely with Mountview’s Industry Liaison Manager to understand and prepare for life as a working performer.