Acting - MFA

Program Overview

MFA Acting

Overview

The MFA Acting course is designed for graduates who wish to undertake advanced studies to further their knowledge and widen their experience of acting in order to take up a professional acting career upon graduation.

What's covered in this course?

The MFA Acting course, specifically designed with international students in mind, is a full-time programme delivered intensively over two years. The focus of work is European, with an emphasis on texts from within the British tradition.

Why Choose Us?

• Our industry connections stem from internal and external sources. Birmingham Acting staff have vast, and notable experience, both home and internationally.
• The University is the largest producer of creative professionals outside the South East.
• As a course designed specifically with mature students in mind, the two-year MFA in Acting provides opportunities to refine your acting skills in order to enter the industry.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• Applicants will normally be expected to have a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in a related subject area (e.g. Acting, Drama, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts, English and Drama) but potential students with a degree in another discipline or with experience in a related professional area would also be considered.
• Previous performance training is essential for this course.

Applying with international qualifications

• See below for further information on applying as an international student.

English language requirements

• IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in each band, or equivalent.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• Award: MFA
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 2 years
• Fees: £12,880 in 2026/27

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• Award: MFA
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 2 years
• Fees: £18,970 in 2026/27

Course in Depth

Year one

• Your first year of study follows an integrated learning mode, with modules designed to teach problem solving, evaluative and interpretative methods.
• You shall investigate through practice the key developmental stages of British theatre performance.

Year two

• In the second year, your studies will allow you to form a deeper understanding of the demands of non-naturalistic dramatic texts and forms of theatre of the British tradition.

Employability

Enhancing your employability skills

• As a graduate of this course you will be able to return to careers in the performance industry or in education with additional skills and a clearer understanding of British actor training and style.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

• School of Acting students are primarily based in the idyllic location of Bournville, south Birmingham, near to Cadbury World, Stirchley, and the student community in Selly Oak.
• Facilities include rehearsal and teaching spaces, a resource room with a range of plays, and a student common room.

Our staff

• Alex Taylor: Course Director, MA and MFA Acting | Head of Postgraduate Studies
• Stephen Simms: Vice Principal - Acting, Professor of Actor Education