Course summary

This is an advanced skills and knowledge top-up degree that helps you develop the skills you need for a future in acting and performance.

Normally you need a Level 5 qualification (Foundation Degree or HND) in Performing Arts, Drama, Theatre or a related discipline. If you have achieved it in the last five years you will not be asked to submit a piece of work as part of the selection process as we will be able to assess your application via your UCAS form.

If you have professional experience, rather than a Level 5 qualification, or you have achieved a Level 5 qualification more than five years ago, you will be invited to submit a piece of work as part of the selection process.

If English is not your first language you need an IELTS score of 6.5 or above with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

Future careers

Our graduates have gone on to rewarding and fulfilling careers in

• the acting profession
• the creative industries
• film production
• marketing, communications and media
• education
• community theatre
• creative arts facilitation
• the charity sector
• journalism
• public-facing professions such as HR, training and customer service

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for

• The Royal Shakespeare Company
• Sheffield Theatres
• Forced Entertainment
• Third Angel
• GrowTheatre
• Blowfish
• Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.
• Open House Pictures
• their own companies and creative enterprises – set up with support from the university

Apply for an undergraduate degree course

How to apply for a foundation, top-up or bachelors degree

For undergraduate degrees, UK applicants need to apply through UCAS, the University and College Admissions Service.

Undergraduate degrees include:

• Foundation degrees (FdA, FdEng, FdSc)
• Top-up degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)
• Bachelors degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)

Applications open in September for courses starting in October the following year.

International applicants

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply direct or through UCAS. To apply direct, please use the online application form.

Getting started with UCAS

The first step is to register in the UCAS Hub and start a new application. You can save your application as you go, so you can complete a little bit at a time if you want to.

We recommend reading UCAS's guide to filling in the application form.

Your statement and references

As part of your UCAS application, you'll need to write a personal statement. You might also need to give names and contact details for people who can give you a reference.

If you're not sure where to start, try our guides to writing a good statement and choosing the right referees.

Assessing your application

Our admissions tutors will:

• check the subjects you're studying
• check your grades
• read your personal statement
• read the references we've received.

Depending on your course and application, we might also:

• invite you an interview
• invite you to submit a portfolio.

If you are invited to one of these, we'll send you everything you need to know. But if you'd like to know more now, you can read our guides to preparing for an interview and preparing a portfolio.

Application decision

After assessing your application, we will contact you with a decision. We usually start to make offers from November through to March, depending on when you applied.