Production image showing a row of six students on stage

Acting

MFA Professional Acting

Key Information
  • Award

    Master of Fine Arts, MFA
    * See eligibility criteria below

  • Application process

    Audition

  • Duration

    One year (full-time)

  • Academic year

    22 Sep 2025 – 21 Aug 2026

  • Application deadline

    28 February 2025 (16:00 GMT)

     

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Course overview

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This course is a rigorous, intensive and unique actor training programme, available to students who are seeking graduate-level study at a leading UK conservatoire. With a cohort of just 8 students, the programme provides a bespoke approach to meet the individual needs of each actor, and allows you to gain your Master of Fine Arts (MFA) qualification in just one year.

You’ll develop your skills as an actor, perform in a professional-standard theatre production for the public, and hone your acting to camera and voiceover skills at the School’s film and recorded media department, before preparing for your industry launch.

ⓘ This course is open to both UK and international students who do not require a visa to study in the UK. If you hold a UK or Irish passport, then you will be eligible to apply. We are unable to consider applications from students requiring a visa to study in the UK during the 2025–26 academic year. If you are unsure about your eligibility, then please contact the admissions team for further information.

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Course highlights

  • Learn your craft as part of a close-knit ensemble of just 8 graduate actors
  • Perform in a theatre production for the public at a prominent Bristol venue
  • Meet agents and casting directors for practice auditions and individual feedback
  • Hone your acting to camera skills at the School’s specialist film department
  • Develop your professional practice as a well-informed and responsible actor

Course structure

During this intensive MFA course, you’ll strengthen your creative process as an actor by taking a range of integrated modules covering vocal and physical development. The curriculum you follow will typically cover voice, accent, singing, movement, yoga, Alexander technique, period movement, dance and combat. A range of in-house text projects will help you develop a coherent, self-managed and dynamic approach to interpreting dramatic text. There is a substantial focus on the classical British and European repertoire in the course, with close attention given to a practical exploration of Shakespearean text in performance. 

In the summer term, you’ll perform in a professional-standard public production, normally drawn from British or European theatre and supported by design, stage management and costume students at the School. You’ll also work on a screen and audio showreel, and complete a reflective performance journal as you become an independent artist, capable of realising your unique ambitions. 

Because the course is restricted to just 8 students, you will find that our staff provide a highly individualised approach throughout all your group classes, text projects and rehearsals; you will learn and hone your craft together as a close-knit, small ensemble which celebrates the unique story each actor has to tell. This course is structured to allow you to gain your MFA in one intensive year; as such you will have a shorter spring vacation and an extended summer term compared to students on the School’s other courses. For full details, please see our term dates page.

Career pathways

The course aims to equip you with a range of techniques appropriate to the varied demands made within the current performance industry. You’ll gain experience in both theatre and recorded media and graduate with the skills to work at a high professional standard. Your ongoing professional development as an actor is a key focus of the course and you will be supported in planning for your professional launch throughout the course’s duration. Graduates from the course have gone onto a range of successful careers in theatre, film, TV and voiceover. Find out more about recent graduate success on our Graduating Acting Students pages.  

From your second term onwards, you’ll prepare for future auditions, undertake self-marketing work and develop an appreciation of how best to navigate the arts and entertainment industries. We’ll equip you with the tools to work successfully in your home industry, be that in the UK or overseas. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a London industry-facing event for agents and casting directors, following competition of the formal aspects of the course. Associated accommodation, travel and subsistence costs are normally self-funded. 

Students relaxing outside of the School
The School is in a beautiful part of Bristol, overlooking a huge park called the Downs. We sometimes take advantage of our close proximity to the Downs during the summer term, practising fight and dance routines, or voice or singing classes! Dan Hall, BA Professional Acting student