MA
Acting
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Why study MA Acting at Goldsmiths
This degree will train you as an actor for destinations in theatre and performance work. You will learn in ways that are creatively rigorous, diverse and socially aware.
- You'll be given the opportunity to engage in imaginative, technical and intellectual training across a range of methods, approaches and related practitioner and critical discourses. You'll apply your learning to classical, contemporary, devised, site-specific and new theatre writing productions.
- You'll be prepared to work in theatre and performance in a 21st-century global context.
- Goldsmiths is famous for producing theatre practitioners who have agency and critical capacity that makes them not only fit for work in the existing theatre and screen industries but who are also able to create, innovate and initiate change, in their own right as artists.
- The training model used on MA Acting will place you, your identity, agency and well-being at the centre of the learning process. You'll be encouraged to develop creative, critical, self-reflective, technical and professional strategies for driving independent career pathways, while also working collaboratively with your peers.
- MA Acting is rooted in the 'actor-plus' model which seeks to produce actors who are highly creative, skilled and flexible, but are also capable of working in other capacities e.g. as playwrights, producers, directors or screenwriters.
- You'll be introduced to a range of psychophysical acting methods and genres of theatre from different cultures and periods in history.
- The programme offers weekly training in movement and voice throughout the autumn and summer terms which cover areas such as play, animal work, performance capture, stage combat, working with intimacy directors, vocal expression, accents, singing and wellbeing strategies.
- Teaching on MA Acting is research-led and staff and industry guests are highly experienced sector-leading practitioners and scholars.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Cass Fleming or Pamela Karantonis.
Length
1 year, full-time
Entry requirements
Undergraduate degree in an arts or humanities area (with a degree classification at 2:1 level or higher)
Fees
Home - full-time: £17350
International - full-time: £22000
Department
Opportunities for you
- You'll be offered an introduction to working in screen, audio and digital contexts. You'll also learn about performance theories, practices and methodologies in relation to your own performance practice and research.
- You will have the opportunity to work towards a final Independent Research Project which will include a public performance as part of the graduate festivals and a written reflection on your practice research.
- This programme is designed to work in synergy with the MA Directing programme and you'll work closely with the directing students on a number of modules and projects.
- You will also work alongside students studying MA Performance Making, MA Screen Acting and MA Dramaturgy & Writing for Performance in a dynamic postgraduate community.
- Goldsmiths is a small and welcoming university which provides the intimacy needed for training in acting, combined with a long history of intellectual and creative dynamism and critical enquiry.
- You will benefit from the dynamic environment of Goldsmiths within reach of the imaginative and theatrical stimulus of London's cultural and creative locations.
Academic support
- Support for your learning and well-being is provided in a number of ways by the department and university support services who work collaboratively to ensure you get the right help to reach your best potential both academically and personally.
- You will be allocated a personal tutor who has overall responsibility for your individual progress and welfare. You will meet frequently with your personal tutor, either face-to-face, as part of a group, or electronically. The first meeting will take place at the start of the autumn term. In your meetings, you'll discuss progress on modules and discuss the academic discipline you are studying. This provides an opportunity for progress, personal goal setting, attendance checking and review of assessment marks in an informed discussion, strengthening your individual learning and success.
- The Department of Theatre and Performance has a senior tutor who can support you with any issues that are negatively impacting your academic study and are beyond the normal scope of issues handled by your programme director or personal tutor.
What you'll study
Compulsory modules
Over the duration of this programme, you will study the following modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Classical Acting | 30 credits |
| Devised Theatre | 15 credits |
| Performance Theories & Practices I | 15 credits |
| Performance Theories & Practices II | 15 credits |
| Contemporary Acting | 30 credits |
| Staging the Text | 15 credits |
| Independent Research Project | 60 credits |
Optional modules
You may also choose to undertake the module 'Introduction to Screen Acting'. Please note, this module is an optional elective, which will not count towards your final grade.
Teaching style
The teaching on the MA Acting programme is research-led. In tandem with studio-based practical learning, you will undertake theoretical modules to support your learning.
You’ll learn from our dedicated staff team of highly experienced and sector-leading practitioners and scholars. You’ll also benefit from guest lectures, masterclasses and networking opportunities delivered by industry guests.
You’ll be taught in workshops, masterclasses, seminars, lectures and tutorials and will be expected to work independently and as part of a group. The MA Acting programme has been designed to work synergistically with the MA Directing programme; you will have the opportunity to work closely with directing students on a number of modules and projects over the year.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £17350
- International - full-time: £22000
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you will be responsible for meeting standard costs associated with your study. Find out more information on our study costs page.
Workshop-based modules which involve performer skills should not incur a cost. However, for the Independent Research Project, there may be costs related to personal items, such as make-up, extra clothing (beyond our costumes department's range). These will be managed in accordance with similar postgraduate specialist programme expenses, where the department will reasonably cover a range of expenses to a capped amount per student.
Entry requirements
Candidates undertaking MA Acting at Goldsmiths are usually expected to hold an undergraduate degree in an arts or humanities area (with a degree classification at 2:1 level or higher).
In terms of professional and relevant work experience, some familiarity with performer training and past presentation opportunities is required. Further and holistic criteria for entry to the programme emphasises: the discipline in collaborating with others, artistic risk-taking in opening up to the pedagogic practices and a commitment to exploring the research contexts to acting independently, commensurate with the level of postgraduate learning.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
How to apply
Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
- Two self-taped audition pieces with an accompanying statement - Please read our guidance for your self-tapes and statement.
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
Please note: the deadline for applications is 25 April. Selected candidates are interviewed by the programme director and the results are processed within four weeks of the interview. If you need an earlier interview due to scholarship applications, please contact the Admissions Team.
When to apply
We accept applications from the beginning of October until 25 April for students wanting to start the following September.
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.
Selection process
Admissions to this programme is via a two stage process. Stage one requires two successful digital self-tapes of monologues that meet the specific conditions outlined in our audition requirements with an accompanying statement, in addition to your application form and transcripts.
If you are successful at stage one, you will then be invited to an online interview which is stage two of our application process. Interviews will take place between November to May.
Find out more about applying.
Facilities
The Department of Theatre and Performance delivers teaching in five theatre studios and houses the technically-supported George Wood Theatre. Further facilities include a voice recording booth, media editing suite, scenographic workshop areas and a costume design studio. Find out more about our facilities.
Set construction workshop
George Wood Theatre
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