Acting and Performance HND

What is special about this course?

Have you ever imagined bringing stories to life on stage or screen, captivating audiences with powerful performances? What if you could turn your passion for drama into a professional career in the performing arts industry?

Our HND Acting and Performance is an immersive two-year course designed to develop skills to professional industry standards. Build a strong foundation in acting, movement, and voice in year one, refining these core skills in year two through advanced stagecraft techniques that stretch creative boundaries and deepen performance confidence. Explore the work of influential practitioners and experiment with innovative approaches to storytelling, taking part in three full-scale productions to gain real-world experience on stage.

You’ll develop essential professional strategies for working in the fast-paced theatre industry, training in cutting-edge performing arts and rehearsal studios and bringing performances to life with the support of experienced drama technicians who deliver high-quality sound and lighting. Learn from passionate tutors with a wealth of industry and academic expertise, offering guidance throughout your development as both a performer and student of drama.

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Scottish Highlands, Inverness combines the convenience of a vibrant city with breath-taking natural beauty. Take advantage of UHI’s strong links with Eden Court Theatre and enjoy access to a wide range of theatre, music, and film experiences that will inspire and elevate your artistic growth.

Collaborate with students from across the drama programmes, engaging in exciting extracurricular projects with community partners, and enjoying opportunities to contribute to creative work beyond the classroom. Add another layer of participation to your experience by joining UHI Drama Society, the perfect place to connect with new people, build friendships, and enhance your theatre skills as part of a vibrant theatre community, paving the way for careers in acting, directing, teaching, drama therapy, arts administration, and more.

Special features

• Take part in three full-scale productions, gaining practical, real-world theatre experience
• Train in state-of-the-art performing arts and rehearsal studios, with professional technical support for lighting and sound
• Learn from passionate tutors with extensive academic and industry expertise
• Develop essential industry skills and progress directly into the BA (Hons) Drama and Production (years 3 and 4)
• Work on cross-course projects, join the UHI Drama Society, and collaborate with local partners and Eden Court Theatre

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
  2 A levels at grade C or above
• The above should preferably be in English or Drama
• Prospective students without the standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis

• Advanced entry to year two may be available with HNC Acting and Performance

Year 1 - HNC

Year 1 of this course is HNC Acting and Performance.

Year 2 - HND

You will study the following core modules:

• Acting 2
• Graded Unit 2
• Movement 2
• Production 2
• Professional development for actors
• Voice 2

Optional modules may include:

• Acting for radio
• Acting methods and practitioners

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.