BA Acting and Performance
About this course
BA Acting and Performance, a drama degree focused on practical acting methods, theatre text interpretation, and collaborative performance production. Year 1 establishes foundational skills through Introduction to Acting 2: Text and Performance, Devising Performance, Analysing Theatre and Performance, Staging Texts: Production Skills, Design and Performance, and Introduction to Scriptwriting. Year 2 advances technical training with Identity, Performance and Culture, Directing and Dramaturgy, Acting for Screen, and Performance Production, alongside optional modules such as Reworking Shakespeare in Performance and Documentary. Year 3 culminates in Final Production (Acting) and The Professional Actor: Stage and Screen, complemented by options including Musical Theatre, Set Design, Adaptations across Stage and Screen, Scriptwriting for Stage and Screen, Screen Bodies, and Film Programming and Film Festivals.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB IB: 32 points overall
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What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 155 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 29%
- South East: 35%
- South West: 9%
- Wales: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Foundation course: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Acting 2: Text and Performance
- Devising Performance
- Analysing Theatre and Performance
- Staging Texts: Production Skills, Design and Performance
- Introduction to Scriptwriting
- Identity, Performance and Culture
- Directing and Dramaturgy
- Acting for Screen
- Performance Production
- Reworking Shakespeare in Performance
- Documentary
- Final Production (Acting)
- The Professional Actor: Stage and Screen
- Musical Theatre
- Set Design
- Adaptations across Stage and Screen
- Scriptwriting for Stage and Screen
- Screen Bodies
- Film Programming and Film Festivals
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Acting and Performance at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £23,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £37,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Drama.
What do graduates of BA Acting and Performance at University of Reading do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Acting and Performance at University of Reading?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Acting and Performance at University of Reading?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 139 UCAS points.
Does BA Acting and Performance at University of Reading include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Acting and Performance at University of Reading?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.