Acting – MFA

This two-year Master of Fine Arts in Acting is rooted in practice and designed with international graduates in mind. Studying here will help you develop a deeper understanding of the processes of acting through an exploration of play texts from the British and European traditions, providing you with a progression route to an acting career or to further study at MPhil or PhD level.

This conservatoire-level actor training has a research focus which enables graduates to develop high-level, innovative approaches to practice. The programme cultivates originality of thinking and self-direction in order to tackle technical, interpretive and scholarly problems within the field of acting and performance.

What’s covered in the course?

Studying a postgraduate acting degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will advance your knowledge of the non-naturalistic forms of theatre that form the bedrock of the British Tradition. The British tradition of acting is long-admired and internationally renowned. With great historical context, the British performing arts continue to spark inspiration and discussion both in terms of research and practice.

Throughout this course you will explore style in relation to theatre performance, drawing your focus towards understanding the world of the play. You will gain significant experience in acting in classical forms of theatre and other forms that make specific stylistic demands.

The course is delivered through various modes of study, such as research through practice, practice-based learning, workshops, performances, lectures and seminars as well as private study. This provides you with the unique experience of working in a range of styles and genres.

In 2019 we were ranked as a top three university in the UK for Drama and Dance by the Guardian, with outstanding facilities and a team of staff who engage directly with industry. Based at our City Centre Campus you have access to multiple resources across the University.

We have relationships with the Shakespeare’s Globe (London), Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Birmingham Royal Ballet as well as being centrally located a short walk away from numerous arts organisations.

Why Choose Us?

• Our industry connections stem from internal and external sources. Birmingham School of Acting staff have vast, and notable experience, both home and internationally. Staff have worked with well-known individuals, projects and companies such as the BBC, the NHS, X Factor finalists, West End stars, British repertory and festival theatres and much more.
• The University the largest producer of creative professionals outside the South East and the UK’s most successful recruiter for art and design in China and Malaysia. We also run courses in Hong Kong and Thailand.
• As a course designed specially with international students in mind, there is no place better to study your MFA in Acting (The British Tradition) than in Birmingham, at the heart of Britain.