Italia Conti’s MA/MFA in Teaching and Coaching Physical Performance is a unique postgraduate programme designed for experienced performers and movement specialists looking to develop careers as teachers and coaches in actor training and the wider creative industries.
Through placements, collaborative projects, and mentoring from established practitioners, students will work directly with actors in training and develop a flexible, sustainable teaching and coaching practice of their own. The programme also offers space for critical reflection and artistic research, allowing each student to shape their personal methodology informed by embodiment, ensemble practice, and the needs of diverse learning environments.
This MA/MFA supports you in becoming a leader in a growing field that values creativity, diversity, collaboration, and embodied intelligence.
In module one, you will explore the foundations of physical performance pedagogy. To teach movement safely and effectively, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, with a particular focus on physical neutrality, release, alignment and strengthening. Central to this module is the use of breath to support efficiency, expression and injury prevention.
To support your learning, you will have access to anatomy and physiology lectures, alongside in-person practical classes focusing on teaching pedagogy, physical technique and observational analysis of movement teaching across BA Acting, BA Musical Theatre and BA Acting (Musical Theatre) programmes.
You will be assessed through a practical anatomy presentation, a taught movement class, and a reflective portfolio including lesson plans, teaching resources and critical reflection on your developing practice.
In module two, you will explore sequencing, physical articulation and intention through movement, and how ensemble practice develops communication and cohesion within performance. You will investigate key movement methodologies including Laban, Lecoq and PURE movement, developing an understanding of how these practices support character, narrative and creative exploration.
Alongside practical training, you will be introduced to qualitative research skills to support critical thinking and prepare you for your research project in later modules. Teaching observations will continue across acting and movement classes to deepen your pedagogical awareness.
Assessment will include a practical teaching episode focused on ensemble or movement methodology, and a short written reflection evidencing emerging research skills and analytical thinking.
In module three, you will build upon assured movement technique to explore how actors meet text through the body. You will investigate how physicality informs character, story and psychological motivation, and how movement techniques can be applied as building blocks for devised work, rehearsal processes and performance.
You will be supported through lectures and practical classes focusing on physical approaches to text, character embodiment and creative exploration. Teaching observations will extend to rehearsals and acting classes to understand how movement tutors collaborate within creative teams.
You will be assessed through a portfolio of movement-based teaching resources for text work, alongside reflections on two teaching episodes exploring different textual styles.
At this point, you will begin to identify a focus area for your research project.
In module four, you will explore how movement teaching adapts to different acting methodologies, performance environments and mediums. This includes training in intimacy coordination, working within industry-standard boundaries, consent practices and ethical responsibility.
You will also study how physical performance translates across different spatial demands, dynamic requirements and digital contexts, including motion-capture and camera-based work.
Learning is supported through specialist workshops, practical teaching sessions and opportunities to coach within different performance settings. Teaching observations will broaden to include camera and screen-based projects.
Assessment will include a critical reflection on applied movement pedagogy and a professional-focused teaching practice.
In module five, you will research an area of your own physical performance teaching practice that you wish to develop further. This module supports you in becoming an embodied practitioner within a chosen specialism, encouraging depth, autonomy and innovation in your teaching.
You will develop a professional portfolio of work which may include schemes of work, lesson plans, digital resources, reflective writing, an evaluation of your teaching development and a career plan.
Module six is the culmination of the course. You will organise and complete a professional placement working within the community, applying your teaching skills in a real-world context. Alongside this, you will complete your research project, evaluating the effectiveness of a specific aspect of teaching pedagogy through rigorous academic practice.
Assessment includes a placement-based teaching practice, submission of your research project and a reflective portfolio evidencing professional readiness.
You may choose to bolt on this module to gain an MFA qualification, which is particularly valuable within the international training market.
You will complete an in-depth Viva Voce, critically examining your teaching pedagogy, methodology and how your action-based research has informed your work across these professional contexts.
For part-time students, the Programme will run September through August in the first year, and September through September in the second year.
For full-time students, the Programme will commence in September and will conclude the following September. Please note that the full-time option is not currently in delivery but can be explored on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in only the full-time option, please contact us for further information.
£6,500 per year (PT) £11,200 per year (FT) for the MA.
Students who choose to undertake the MFA extension will incur an additional fee of £700 (for Italia Conti MA Teaching and Coaching: Physical Performance students) or £1,400 (for students from other UK-based MA Movement programmes).
The MA/MFA Programme is eligible for the following funding options:
Un acompte de 275 £ est exigé pour réserver et accepter une place dans le programme.
Deposit Fee Waivers are available.
Textes fondamentaux, papeterie, ordinateur/ordinateur portable : non inclus dans les frais de scolarité.
Gown hire and optional photographs for graduation.
Applications are made directly to Italia Conti and do not require a UCAS application. There is no audition/interview fee for this programme.
Places on our programmes are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first serve basis and so early acceptance is advised. Once a programme offer has expired, an offer holder will be moved to the waiting list.
The application deadline for this programme is 30 July 2026. Late applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
After completing the application process, applicants will be invited to an interview with the Programme Leader to assess suitability for the programme. Please be prepared to discuss your:
Les candidats peuvent également profiter de l'entretien pour demander des informations plus précises sur le programme.
Entry to MA/MFA Teaching and Coaching: Physical Performance requires the following:
Applicants who have already completed up to 180 credits at Masters Level may use these credits to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) towards the total of 210 credits to gain the MFA Teaching and Coaching: Physical Performance. Please note that RPL may affect your eligibility for any Postgraduate loan. For details go to gov.uk/masters-loan/eligibility.
Les candidats ne disposant pas des qualifications d'admission standard peuvent être pris en compte par le biais de la validation des acquis de l'expérience (VAE) ou de la validation des acquis professionnels (VAP).
Where prior qualifications do not provide sufficient evidence of programme readiness, applicants may be required to complete an additional written exercise alongside the interview process.
Nous accueillons les candidatures de personnes possédant une formation professionnelle ou une expérience pertinente. Toutes ces candidatures sont évaluées au cas par cas et peuvent nécessiter des justificatifs supplémentaires, tels qu'un portfolio ou des travaux écrits.
Les candidats matures (21 ans et plus) sans qualifications formelles sont encouragés à contacter le service des admissions avant de postuler afin de s'assurer qu'un accompagnement approprié puisse leur être fourni.
7 septembre 2026 – 18 décembre 2026
4 janvier 2027 – 2 avril 2027
26 avril 2027 – 23 juillet 2027
6 septembre 2027 – 17 décembre 2027
Trouvez toutes les informations concernant les frais et le financement ci-dessous.
Italia Conti propose des exonérations de frais de scolarité aux candidats éligibles qui remplissent certains critères, contribuant ainsi à garantir que la situation financière ne constitue pas un obstacle à la candidature.
Vous avez l'occasion de travailler avec des personnes qui ont des techniques et des méthodes de travail différentes, ainsi qu'avec des gens du milieu. Non seulement vous apprenez aux côtés de professionnels de l'industrie chaque jour, mais vous avez également un aperçu des projets de la part de quelqu'un qui travaille réellement dans le secteur actuellement.
Ma formation à l'Italia Conti m'a véritablement inspiré. Pendant mon séjour, je me suis senti accueilli dans un environnement créatif et bienveillant. Les installations sont formidables, elles nous donnent tout ce dont nous avons besoin pour expérimenter, répéter et nous produire. Avoir accès à d'aussi superbes studios et espaces de spectacle m'a vraiment aidé à me sentir plus préparé et plus confiant dans le développement de ma formation pour devenir un artiste professionnel.
Merci d'avoir soumis vos coordonnées. Notre équipe vous contactera.
