MFA ACTING

On our fast-paced course, your development as an artist in the studio will be underpinned by a programme called Critical Concepts. This is a series of seminars, presentations and lectures introducing, and centred upon, the theoretical debate around contemporary fine art practice.

You will organise and curate group shows, both as part of the curriculum but also beyond it amid east London’s thriving art scene. Previous exhibition venues have included the RK Burt Gallery, Parfitt Gallery, New Realms Gallery, Seven Seven Gallery and Star Gallery.

Through the Professional Practice element of the course, we will encourage you to develop a wide understanding of the relationship between studio practice and the life of a professional artist.

There will even be opportunities for you to enjoy work experience. For instance, some of our students have worked with Professor Davey on his art projects in the past.

Though there are two written elements over the duration of the course, your final key piece of work will be assessed through an exhibition of your art. It will stand as your major showcase.

This is a practice-based programme for those wishing to develop a career as a professional actor, an innovative theatre praxis and an understanding of creative producing in London, the centre of British theatre.

The work you will be doing with theatre professionals and the constructive help and advice you will receive from your course tutors throughout your course is all geared towards helping you establish yourself in the industry. Your final degree show will act as your showcase to attract agents and develop your professional networks.

By having your own mentor in the last six months of your course, you will not only gain important insight and advice about the technical aspects of theatre directing but you will receive invaluable help in developing important contacts.

We believe our course helps nurture independent-minded, creative individuals - actors such as the RADA-trained Takunda Kramer, who shone while at the University of East London and has gone on to star with various professional companies as far afield as New York, Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi.

Like many of our other students who go on to further postgraduate research and study, Takunda has now returned to UEL to undertake a PhD based on protest theatre in his native Zimbabwe. Another graduate, Neil Walker, now co-manages a theatre company and creating touring work. “Seeing the work I started to create at UEL performed before audiences is deeply rewarding – a real buzz!” says Neil. It’s a feeling many of our students will relate to.