Course overview

Acting and Performance HND is a two-year course designed to support you in realising and achieving your performance potential. From the hundreds of applications we receive each year, we accept two cohorts of driven and committed students who aspire to become the next generation of performers and makers. Upon completion of our HND, you can successfully go on to work as an actor and performer in the Scottish Theatre sector and beyond, create your own theatre companies, or undertake further study on our BA (Hons) Dance and Drama Degree or at other institutions.

During your HND, you will gain essential experience working in professional environments led by our exceptional lectures, many of which continue to work in the industry and will work with you to develop your skills in acting, voice, movement, and production.

This highly practical course is centred around key production projects aimed at developing and promoting your performance skills. You will collaborate with other students in the Performing Arts Studio Scotland faculty, including make-up artists, costume designers, and technical theatre designers. Further opportunities for collaboration include working with students from the film department to create short films and an external site-specific project with the dance department.

Placement information

No assessed placements but students have had the opportunity to participate in Cultural Exchange Trips with Edinburgh Festival Carnival to South Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica and Cuba where they have worked with arts organisations in a variety of contexts.

How the course is assessed

You will be assessed through practical performance, self-evaluation through portfolios, logbooks or Vlogs and theoretical/research assignments

Career options

• Directing
• Teaching
• Writing
• Performing
• Production