Screen Performance BA (Hons)

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Perfect performance for TV and film. Equip yourself with a range of performance skills. Gain experience that'll launch your media career in front of the camera.

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Course overview

Explore the practical, theoretical, and contextual aspects of the highly specialist areas of screen performance with this exciting course. Learn skills and techniques for television and film and prepare for a career in the screen industry.

Gain professional practice in screen performance including multi-camera acting and directing, scriptwriting, production skills, and multi-platform performance.

Throughout your studies, you’ll be guided and supported by our experts, all of whom are working or researching in media and performance. You’ll study alongside actors, directors, agents, casting directors, and independent film makers who'll share their experience and encourage you to build your network.

Successful completion of this course will qualify you for Spotlight adult performer membership.

Why us?

Our Drama and Dance courses are 10th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2025)
Get hands-on in our high-quality TV studios, using industry-standard TV drama sets
Film hard-hitting, gripping content for our award-winning film projects in collaboration with Northumbria Police

Learn from experts who are professionals in their fields, from actors to directors and film makers. Participate in regular masterclasses
Enter your work into the Royal Television Society Awards
Successful completion of this course will qualify you for Spotlight adult performer membership

#WeAreCreativeIndustries

Course structure

Alongside your practical work, teaching methods include lectures, demonstrations, workshops, seminars, screenings, group and individual projects, and independent learning. The course has been designed to include a number of employability initiatives and links to industry, which are embedded throughout the course.

In the first two years, you’ll develop the core skills in screen performance. The course culminates in a major screen project that supports your individual preference and/or career interests.

You'll be assessed in a variety of different forms, with learning outputs mirroring industry outputs in terms of showreels, audition and on-set standards and etiquette, video essays, adverts, as well as developing essay writing, research, and presentation skills.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Filmmaking Craft Skills (30 credits)

Want to make your own short film? Learn how to shoot and edit video using just one camera. Try out filming, directing, and editing in hands-on workshops and bring stories to life.

You’ll also work in a team to create a Production File. This will include your research, script, call sheets, and plan, just like in a real film crew.

Creative Storytelling (30 credits)

Learn how to write scripts and understand how films are made. Explore how stories are told on screen and what makes a great script. You'll also research ideas, plan a project, and write your own script.

What kind of story would you love to write? What movies inspire you? You’ll build both creative and practical skills – perfect for anyone who dreams of writing for film or TV.

Screen Acting 1 (30 credits)

Discover what it takes to be a screen actor. Develop your acting skills by working on camera and try our different acting techniques used by professionals.

Explore how your voice and body help bring your character to life and see how famous acting methods are used in film and TV today. As a result, you'll create a short performance and summarise what you've learned in a short talk.

TV Drama (30 credits)

Ever wondered what it’s like to act in a real TV studio? Learn how to perform for the camera using scripts written for TV.

Practice acting in a multi-camera studio, learn how to prepare for filming, and even direct yourself.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Screen Acting 2 (30 credits)

Want to build skills for working in film and TV that help you stand out?

Develop a toolkit that helps you become a confident screen artist and develop your understanding of the impact of practitioner-inspired methods specific to work that takes place within TV and Film environments.

Filmmaking Craft Skills 2 (30 credits)

Fancy creating a short film? Grab some teammates and create a 5-minute movie starting from an idea to a finished video.

Learn how to direct, produce, use cameras, set lighting, record sound, edit, and manage a production. Build your teamworking skills by working alongside others, solving problems, and directing actors. You'll also be challenged with funding your project and sharing it online.

TV Drama 2 (30 credits)

How does drama work on Live TV? Why is it so important? Get hands-on experience working in a TV studio and out on location, and learn key ways to capture great performances for TV.

Discover how acting and production choices affect what viewers see, whether in the studio or outside.

Genre Filmmaking (30 credits)

Want to uncover how different genres keep audiences hooked? Explore different types of stories, from thrillers and comedies to horror and romance. Build on your basic production skills while learning how each genre shapes the story and what audiences expect, whether on screen, stage, or in immersive experiences.

Work with others on projects that use classic genre rules but also give you space to be creative and try new ideas. Study famous and modern examples to help develop your storytelling skills.

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

Film for Social Change (30 credits)

A rare opportunity to collaborate with Northumbria Police and produce an awareness and training film that addresses crime. Learn how to act in front of the camera and explore business on screen, hitting a mark, audition techniques and reactions to camera.

Analyse scenes from screen performances and explore the creation of meaning in performance. Evaluate how performance and participatory filmmaking can aid social change.

Creative Enterprise (30 credits)

Want to turn your creativity into a career? This module helps you explore how the creative world works and what your place in it could be.

You’ll learn from real-life creatives, work on a small live project, and build practical skills for jobs in areas like design, media, or education. You’ll also create a digital portfolio or an online CV to show off your best work and start building your personal brand.

Multiplatform (30 credits)

Curious about acting in VR, doing voiceovers, or presenting on TV? As a screen actor, you’ll explore lots of styles, from motion capture and podcasting to animation voice work. Get involved in hands-on workshops, where you’ll learn real skills, build confidence, and create clips for your showreel.

You’ll get to act in virtual worlds, voice cartoon characters, move like a video game hero, and tell stories using only your voice.

Showcase (30 credits)

Get the opportunity to interact with industry specialists. Produce a showreel featuring your best acting clips, perfect for impressing casting directors or potential employers after graduating.

You'll also get the opportunity to write about your acting journey over the last three years. What skills have you gained? How have you grown and developed?

Facilities

The David Puttnam Media Centre is a thriving place to study and experience media. Rub shoulders with BBC Newcastle and Made in Tyne & Wear, who are both based in the building. Volunteer with award winning Spark Sunderland, write for one of our suite of websites or edit Spark Magazine in our mediaHUB. Get hands on in TV and Radio Studios, Journalism and Digital editing suites. Learn from experts in this centre of excellence for training.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you in studying with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Audition

You'll be asked to prepare an audition piece lasting one minute. This should show your ability to not only perform with confidence but communicate with an audience. You're expected to audition with a monologue. Please note that we're not looking for perfection, and we appreciate you’re still developing as a performer.

Interview requirements

You’ll also be invited to an informal interview. We’d like to hear about you, why you’re interested in studying with us, and tell you a bit more about our course and what makes us special.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
£16,500 if you are an international student

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Tuition fees for part-time students are £7,145 per 90 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Student in the Sunderland Futures department

Career ready

This degree prepares you for a career in front of the camera. You'll gain highly transferable skills in communication, presentation, and collaboration with others which will be very relevant to roles in TV, new media, and performance.

Work experience

We actively encourage you to gain relevant work experience while at university. During every year of your course, you'll be guided and encouraged to gain meaningful experience that'll fit around your studies.

You'll undertake a number of practice modules throughout your course, which can include live briefs from clients from outside the University.

Industry links

We frequently invite guest speakers to run workshops and masterclasses, allowing you to relate your learning to real-life experience. Previous masterclasses have been delivered by Lord David Puttnam; Bhasker Patel (Emmerdale, Thunderbirds, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom); Liam Fox (Emmerdale, Dinnerladies); Coronation Street’s first disabled actress, Cherylee Houston; Terence Maynard (Coronation Street, Edge of Tomorrow, Revolver, Reign of Fire); principal costume coordinator in film and TV, Carol Machin (The Hitman's Bodyguard, 13 Hours, Judy, Dune); director, Ian Bevitt (Coronation Street and Emmerdale); senior production manager, Lee Rayner (Coronation Street); and Bessie Williams, who set up casting recruitment agency NE1 4.TV, (Vera, Beowulf, and CBBC’s The Dumping Ground).

We have excellent links with national employers such as the BBC and ITV, and strong links with regional productions like Vera and the Dumping Ground.

Creative Industries Week

Creative Industries Week gives everyone studying Arts and Creative Industries courses the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits, and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working and broadens your experience to build your confidence and help develop your career path.

Offering a change of pace from the usual class timetable, Creative Industries Week gives you a chance to consider career options, network with staff and students from different courses, and get a wider view of the creative industries. We encourage you to attend as many activities as possible and try something new.

Meet the students

I'm working as a 3rd AD on Coronation Street. The dream would be to work on a Marvel or Disney film.

Katie Stubbs
It is great to be in a place where everyone respects your ideas and talent.

Kushan Bhardwaj

Related courses

Contact

Come and see for yourself; speak to our academic team and feel at home in our facilities. For further information about studying at the University of Sunderland contact the Student Helpline:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries.

Page last updated: 28 July 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Course overview

Why us?

#WeAreCreativeIndustries

Course structure

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Filmmaking Craft Skills (30 credits)

Creative Storytelling (30 credits)

Screen Acting 1 (30 credits)

TV Drama (30 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Screen Acting 2 (30 credits)

Filmmaking Craft Skills 2 (30 credits)

TV Drama 2 (30 credits)

Genre Filmmaking (30 credits)

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

Film for Social Change (30 credits)

Creative Enterprise (30 credits)

Multiplatform (30 credits)

Showcase (30 credits)

Facilities

Entry requirements

Audition

Interview requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Work experience

Industry links

Creative Industries Week

Meet the students

Katie Stubbs

Kushan Bhardwaj

Meet the team — BA (Hons) Screen Performance

Related courses

Contact