Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Practice (Acting)

Undergraduate Diploma

Creative Practice (Acting)

Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Practice (Acting)

 

Awarding body

MUV College (Licence No. 2020-006 –

Further & Higher Education Institution)

Higher Education qualification accredited by MFHEA

 

MQF / EQF level

5

Number of credits

60 ECTS

Total hours of learning

1,500 hours

(336h contact; 220h practice; 916h self-study; 28h assessment)

Mode of delivery

Face to face

Language of instruction

English

Mode of attendance

Full-time / part-time

Duration

1 year full-time / 1.5 to 3 years part-time

Next intake

5 October 2026

Address where programme is delivered

131 Valley Road, Birkirkara, Malta

Address where placement will take place

Not applicable

Entry requirements

– Matriculation certificate or equivalent.

– Applicants will be asked to attend an interview and participate in a practical workshop. A foundation course in the English Language may be offered to students who would need to improve their level of English.

Prospective students aged 21 or older deemed to have the skills and experience to follow the programme successfully may be enrolled through the maturity clause.

Target audience

19 to 65+ years

Target group

The course is expected to be taken by young people who have completed their upper secondary education, as well as lifelong learners interested in pursuing careers in the theatre and/or film industry.

Structure of the programme

Please refer to the detailed information of the individual units at the end of this table.

 

Acting Techniques 1 (6 ECTS)

 

Critical Artistry 1 (4 ECTS)

 

Context and Culture in Analysis and Practice (4 ECTS)

 

Applied Arts in the Community 1 (4 ECTS)

 

Acting for Screen (4 ECTS)

 

The Creative: Citizen and Collaborator (4 ECTS)

 

Sustainability in the Arts (4 ECTS)

 

Applied Arts in the Community 2 (6 ECTS)

 

Voice 1 (8 ECTS)

 

Movement 1 (8 ECTS)

 

Devised Theatre 1 (8 ECTS)

Note:  If taken part-time, students may select which modules to attend from those offered in each term, until they complete all study-units.

 

Teaching

MUV places the student at the centre of its teaching practices.  It strives to enhance accessibility to its programmes, promoting diversity, equal opportunities and lifelong learning.  Its courses are designed in collaboration with partners from the industry in order to ensure their relevance to the labour market, prioritising professional and vocational learning outcomes.  They therefore emphasise a practice-based approach, integrating work placements, initiatives involving the local community and mobility opportunities, whenever possible.  Teaching will seek to promote interactivity among the students, interdisciplinarity between different programmes, and innovative methodologies which make the best use of the digital resources available. 

Apart from attending the lectures, students will have the possibility to work together on projects related to the topics of the modules, under the guidance of a tutor. The practical units constitute a fundamental component of the programme. Indeed, the course revolves around the hands-on sessions, workshops and tutorials, rehearsals and performances. The lectures themselves are intended to promote active learning methods, complemented by practical exercises and case discussions, class-based performance sharing, software trials, and research activities. Visits to theatre companies and cultural enterprises within the community will be organised from time to time, and artists, creative practitioners, and industry professionals and experts will be invited to share their experiences with the students, who will also have the opportunity to perform in front of an audience.

Assessment procedures

Assessment may be carried out through the adoption of one or more of the following options, giving due attention to the practical work produced throughout the course.  In all cases, the method selected should target the specific learning outcome that is being assessed.

·        Ongoing assessment:  Work presented throughout the course of the study-unit (may include performance sharing in the classroom);

·        Logbook:  Entries on a weekly basis tracking all work done (may include personal reflection and factual recording of activities);

·        Project:  An individual or collaborative work which may involve different tasks or activities; this may also include proposing an idea for a potential project and presenting it to the class;

·        Presentation/Project proposal:  Delivered in class by an individual or group of students (generally followed by a discussion);

·        Performance:  Work of a practical nature carried out under supervision at a set venue;

·        Assignment:  An essay of a specific length or other exercises to be submitted by a set date; 

·        Practical assignment:  Exercises and activities such as warm ups and rehearsal preparation which the student will carry out without the guidance of the tutor for assessment purposes;

·        Oral examination (or viva):  In the form of an interview to assess the student’s knowledge, held at the indicated venue, on a set date.

MUV’s IQA document includes the policy to be applied in cases where there may be suspicion of academic fraud.

Grading system

Grades are assigned as follows:

A       Outstanding performance with practically no errors

B       Well above the average, with only minor errors

C       Solid performance, but with some errors

D       Fair performance, but with significant errors

E        Performance meets the minimum criteria

F       Fail – Performance does not meet the required criteria

 

Educational fees

 

–        Registration (paid once only for the processing of the application): € 50

–        Tuition (full-time):  € 8,000 (less scholarship that may be awarded for the year)

Part-timers pay on a pro-rata basis.

 

Further information

For information about further learning opportunities, career pathways, pass rates (when available), or other details, you may email the Office for Student Support and Administration on ossa@muv.edu.mt or info@muv.edu.mt, and you will be directed to the competent officer.

STUDY-UNITS

CP01 Acting Techniques 1

MQF / EQF level 5 (6 ECTS)

Hours of learning

150 hours in total:

36h contact; 112h self-study; 2h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions, presentations and group exercises

Assessment

– Written assignment (65%)

– Practical assignment – class sharing (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Make informed choices when approaching a piece of theatre
  • Apply the methodologies studied to one’s roles and performances
  • Experiment with different acting styles and techniques
  • Take care of one’s mental wellbeing as actor

Knowledge

  • The theories put forward by these principal practitioners in theatre
  • A basic knowledge of the works of the selected practitioners, playwrights, and theatre makers
  • The influence of the selected figures on theatre

Skills

  • Explore different styles of theatre
  • Make use of different approaches to a performance piece

Judgement

  • Appreciate the different purposes of particular pieces of theatre
  • Understand the political aspects behind the theories and works of the practitioners, playwrights, and theatre makers studied

Communication

  • Communicate effectively with an audience
  • Work in a group to convey a message through drama

CP04 Critical Artistry 1

MQF / EQF level 5 (4 ECTS)

Hours of learning

100 hours in total:

24h contact; 74h self-study; 2h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions, presentations and tutorials

Assessment

– Practical assignment – class sharing (65%)

– Logbook / Oral (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Integrate critical thinking into one’s artistic and creative practice
  • Reflect on one’s learning process in terms of personal and artistic development
  • Explore the concept of the artist as activist and potential driver for change in society

Knowledge

  • The importance of questioning and critical thinking
  • Reflecting on one’s learning process, personal development, and artistic growth
  • Formulating critical questions regarding one’s growth as artist and individual
  • The artist as activist and as a force for political and social change

Skills

  • Take responsibility for one’s own artistic development
  • Apply critical thinking to influence one’s choices
  • Apply the notion of activism in one’s creative practice

Judgement

  • Take control of one’s career and artistic development
  • Drive for change in society, politics and culture, through activism in one’s creative practice

Communication

  • Formulate analytical questions to better communicate one’s thinking
  • Communicate with the public through an artistic approach favouring activism

Learner

  • Develop critical thinking and activism in one’s creative practice

CP06 Voice 1

MQF / EQF level 5 (8 ECTS)

Hours of learning

200 hours in total:

48h contact; 24h practice; 124h self-study; 4h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions, presentations, hands-on sessions, projects-based work, class sharing, individual and group exercises

Assessment

– Practical assignment (65%)

– Logbook / Oral (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Intensify the objectives for a piece of text through the use of vocal range within a theatre space
  • Apply knowledge of vocal care to prevent potential harm to the voice
  • Apply skills, exercises, and warm-ups necessary to maintain vocal wellbeing

Knowledge

  • Proper breathing and voice placement to sustain one’s vocal energy throughout a performance
  • Voice training methodologies and practitioners
  • Clarity of voice and diction
  • Vocal energy and projection

Skills

  • Apply voice techniques to one’s performance
  • Conduct voice exercises and care to maintain vocal wellbeing
  • Lead one’s own warm-ups in preparation for a rehearsal or performance

Judgement

  • Make decisions regarding voice when approaching a character

Communication

  • Communicate more expressively and intensely through the use of vocal energy on stage
  • Address the audience through clarity of voice, diction, and projection

Learner

  • Apply healthy vocal practice and care

CP08 Movement 1

MQF / EQF level 5 (8 ECTS)

Hours of learning

200 hours in total:

48h contact; 24h practice; 124h self-study; 4h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions, presentations, hands-on sessions, projects-based work, class sharing, individual and group exercises

Assessment

– Practical assignment (65%)

– Logbook / Oral (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Warm-up the body before rehearsals and performances in order to avoid strains or injuries
  • Use the body to communicate a message on stage, to the other performers and to the audience
  • Use the body to explore a character, its thoughts and emotions
  • Use movement to create or develop different characters
  • Use the body to make and emphasise certain character choices

Knowledge

  • Physical warm-ups
  • Use of movement to express particular character choices
  • Ways in which to physically communicate a message
  • Basic improvisation skills

Skills

  • Use the body as a tool to explore roles and character psychology, intentions, and objectives
  • Use movement in the creation or development of a character as an individual
  • Apply physical warm-up exercises before rehearsals to avoid strains or injuries

Judgement

  • Make decisions on the use of movement to portray character choices
  • Form individual warm-ups to best prepare one’s body for a rehearsal or performance

Communication

  • Express particular character choices on stage through movement
  • Use the body to communicate effectively to other actors, as well as to members of the audience

Learner

  • Apply physical warm-up exercises before rehearsals to avoid strains or injuries

CP10 Devised Theatre 1

MQF / EQF level 5 (8 ECTS)

Hours of learning

200 hours in total:

48h contact; 24h practice; 124h self-study; 4h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions, hands-on sessions, projects-based work, class sharing, individual and group exercises

Assessment

– Practical assignment (65%)

– Logbook / Oral (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Apply knowledge of the process of devising and creating a piece of theatre
  • Explore the different options and possibilities when creating a theatre piece
  • Make informed decisions on the piece, and select a devising process that best fits needs
  • Work together to share and effectively communicate ideas on a theatre piece

Knowledge

  • The process of creating a piece of theatre
  • Practical skills needed to transform ideas into actions
  • Effects of external circumstances on the devising process and final piece
  • Effects of external circumstances on the choices an artist makes when creating a piece of theatre

Skills

  • Devise the process to create a piece of theatre
  • Identify and explore alternative possibilities when devising a theatre piece

Judgement

  • Select the devising process most appropriate for the performance piece one intends to create
  • Assess the financial commitments needed to create and perform a theatre piece
  • Allow for proper time management in the devising process, allocating sufficient time for each task required

Communication

  • Devise theatre that communicates the message more effectively on stage

Learner

  • Devise innovative pieces of theatre

CP12 Context and Culture in Analysis and Practice

MQF / EQF level 5 (4 ECTS)

Hours of learning

100 hours in total:

24h contact; 74h self-study; 2h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions and presentations

Assessment

– Written assignment (65%)

– Presentation / Project proposal (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Apply knowledge of the contexts in which particular works and productions were created or written
  • Analyse the ways in which the context and culture of a society inform the theatre it creates
  • Analyse how the style of theatre used for a performance is also influenced by the society’s culture and socio-political and economic context
  • Analyse the way productions of the same work changed under different circumstances, cultures, and contexts
  • Incorporate the current context and culture into one’s practice when creating new work
  • Show an awareness of the world in which the works are being performed when interpreting older texts

Knowledge

  • The contexts in which particular works and productions were created or written
  • The way theatre is influenced by the culture and context that creates it
  • Theatre as a product of society and culture

Skills

  • Apply awareness of the current context and political climate into the pieces one creates
  • Give new meaning and interpretations to older texts when performing them today
  • Adapt productions according to the resources available to the artist, choosing cultural settings which such resources may cover

Judgement

  • Analyse a theatre piece in terms of its historical, cultural and social context
  • When putting up a historical theatre production, select works which are still relevant today

Communication

  • Create or adapt works which may be relevant to a contemporary audience
  • Provide the contextual setting to a piece of work, to render it more comprehensible to a spectator from a different cultural background

Learner

  • Produce works which are contextually relevant

CP13 Applied Arts in the Community 1

MQF / EQF level 5 (4 ECTS)

Hours of learning

100 hours in total:

24h contact; 74h self-study; 2h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions and presentations

Assessment

– Written assignment (65%)

– Project proposal (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Apply knowledge of the community and its needs
  • Apply knowledge of the impact art can have on the community
  • Take responsible actions as an artist or creative to instigate change within the community

Knowledge

  • The community: its needs and struggles
  • Ways in which art can help a community
  • The active role artists play in a community

Skills

  • Address community needs by designing and delivering projects in the arts

Judgement

  • Analyse the challenges faced by a community to devise creative actions to meet such needs

Communication

  • Reach out to different sectors of the community through the arts

Learner

  • Create works and projects to produce an impact on society

CP14p Applied Arts in the Community 2

MQF / EQF level 5 (6 ECTS)

Hours of learning

150 hours in total:

12h contact; 136h practice; 2h assessment

Teaching

Practical sessions, discussions, exercises, project and performance-based work

Assessment

–        Performance / Project (65%)

–        Logbook / Oral (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions with the students.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Design and implement projects promoting the arts within the community
  • Raise the resources required to propose and undertake projects to meet community demands
  • Mobilise the different stakeholders to participate actively in community projects

Knowledge

  • Spearheading change within a community
  • Applying the performing arts to implement projects of benefit to the community
  • Creating and successfully delivering community projects in the arts

Skills

  • Address community needs by designing and delivering projects in the arts
  • Mobilise resources and stakeholders
  • Drive actions for change via the arts
  • Apply organisational skills and the ability to work as a team in order to reach a common goal

Judgement

  • Tailor project proposals to target and mobilise specific sectors of a particular community

Communication

  • Formulate a project idea and pitch it to the community leaders and policymakers

Learner

  • Create works and projects to produce an impact on society

CP15 Acting for Screen

MQF / EQF level 5 (4 ECTS)

Hours of learning

100 hours in total:

24h contact; 12h practice; 62h self-study; 2h assessment

Teaching

Hands-on sessions, tutorials, presentations, group exercises and project-based work

Assessment

– Selftape / Practical assignment – class sharing (65%)

– Logbook / Oral (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions with the students.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Apply knowledge of the different audiovisual media to optimise the level of performance
  • Adapt the skills learnt – in voice, movement, and acting techniques – to the audiovisual media
  • Practise the techniques necessary when acting for the camera
  • Apply knowledge of the process involved behind the camera when filming a scene

Knowledge

  • Expressing oneself through the medium of film or TV
  • Techniques required when performing for the camera
  • Use of the voice to communicate a character’s thoughts and actions
  • Use of the body to communicate a character’s thoughts and actions
  • Processes involved behind the camera when filming a scene

Skills

  • Perform for the screen and other audiovisual media
  • Adapt one’s acting techniques to optimise performance in front of the camera

Judgement

  • Adapt one’s performance according to the medium
  • Make decisions based on one’s knowledge of the filming process

Communication

  • Communicate through the medium of film

Digital

  • Be aware of digital filming technologies

CP16 The Creative: Citizen and Collaborator

MQF / EQF level 5 (4 ECTS)

Hours of learning

100 hours in total:

24h contact; 74h self-study; 2h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions and presentations

Assessment

– Project proposal (65%)

– Presentation (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Generate ideas and initiate artistic projects to improve society
  • Work towards becoming an artist with the ability to impact the future of the community
  • Reach out to different organisations to collaborate on a common goal that will benefit society
  • Meet the needs of both the artists and the organisations working together
  • Collaborate with others in an exchange of skills and expertise to deliver creative projects
  • Promote Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by companies in the community

Knowledge

  • The difference between a performer and a creative
  • Identification of organisations and contacts for potential future collaboration
  • How art can assist different sectors in society for the mutual benefit of the creative and the community
  • The impact of artistic projects and collaborations on society and the local community
  • Interdisciplinarity and steps of the collaborative process
  • The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility

Skills

  • Learn how different organisations operate and work together towards common goals
  • Collaborate with other artists and creatives for common objectives
  • Propose and deliver artistic projects with clear goals and benefits to society

Judgement

  • Adopt interdisciplinary approaches to the arts to produce more comprehensive outcomes
  • Define the mutual benefits to organisations when discussing collaborative proposals
  • Formulate artistic collaborations for the Corporate Social Responsibility strategy of a business

Communication

  • Promote teamwork and communicate the outputs of projects undertaken with other collaborators
  • Highlight the benefits to society of artistic and creative activities

Learner

  • Collaborate effectively with other artists and within a community

CP17 Sustainability in the Arts

MQF / EQF level 5 (4 ECTS)

Hours of learning

150 hours in total:

24h contact; 74h self-study; 2h assessment

Teaching

Lectures, discussions and presentations

Assessment

– Written assignment (65%)

– Presentation / Project proposal (35%)

The lecturer may opt for other assessment methods following discussions with the students.

Learning outcomes

Competences

  • Evaluate artistic and creative activities in terms of their sustainability
  • Explore the impact that artistic works can have on their surroundings
  • Consider the impact that work produced today can have on future generations
  • Incorporate the concept of sustainability into each project proposed or created
  • Render as sustainable as possible one’s artistic practice

Knowledge

  • The notion of sustainability in the arts
  • Economic, environmental and social sustainability
  • Methods of incorporating sustainability into the artistic practice
  • Applying resources effectively

Skills

  • Make an efficient and sustainable use of resources in one’s artistic practice
  • Implement methods of sustainability into one’s creative projects
  • Promote sustainability issues through one’s professional work in the arts

Judgement

  • Reflect on the influence of one’s artistic works and activities in terms of sustainability
  • Analyse the impact of creative projects on the environment and future generations

Communication

  • Communicate sustainability issues through one’s artistic work
  • Raise awareness on the need for sustainability through the arts

Learner

  • Integrate sustainability into one’s creative practice

Digital

  • Apply digital technologies to reduce the use of materials