University of Essex

Course Details

BA Acting and Stage Combat

Course Description

Our BA Acting and Stage Combat is the UK’s first full-time course in stage combat and related performance skills. Led by our team, who are hugely experienced and respected in this specialist field, you study armed and unarmed combat and the use of weaponry in an historical context. In addition to developing your acting skills, your training includes Aikido, free-running and horse riding. Graduates typically go on to become fight directors and specialist performers.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

Over the last few years our recent graduates have performed at the RSC, BBC, Royal National Theatre, Birmingham Rep, The Royal Court and The Old Vic, as well as touring productions, television programmes and feature films. One of our recent graduates from BA Acting and Stage Combat is currently lead puppeteer in the National Theatre's longrunning production of Warhorse in London (now a Steven Spielberg film). Another is appearing in the Ridley Scott film Prometheus, while a third has recently appeared in the film John Carter of Mars.

BA Acting and Stage Combat University of Essex