1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Engineering and Computer Science
  3. Studies
  4. Master's degree programmes
  5. Acting for Screen & Digital Media
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Acting for Screen & Digital Media

Are you looking for further training as an actor in the field of film and digital media? Then you might be interested in enrolling on the international Master’s in Acting for Screen & Digital Media.

This future-oriented in-depth programme is aimed at performing artists who wish to work professionally in an expanding and rapidly evolving field. This full-time degree programme offers international students and lecturers the opportunity to cooperate and network with partners in Switzerland and abroad.

Ring lamps illuminate a seated woman on the left in the foreground and a standing man in a high-visibility vest on the right in the background.

You can start your studies in spring 2025.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Arts in Theater – Acting for Screen & Digital Media
  • Specialisations –
  • Mode of study Full-time studies (3 semesters)
  • Start date Spring 2025
  • Application deadline 15.10.2024
  • ECTS credits 90
  • Teaching language English / German
  • Location Bern
  • School Bern Academy of the Arts
  • Next info event Thu, 12 September 2024 (online)

Contact

Focus areas

In the Master of Arts in Acting for Screen & Digital Media you acquire the necessary skills in the areas of acting for film and digital media, microphone and voice-over work as well as the use of digitality in the theatre. The course provides you with a network and introduces you to the job market.

What you gain with your degree

The training takes into account that film and digital media is a very dynamically developing professional field. The Master in Acting for Screen & Digital Media enables you to be part of these developments and to actively help shape them.

By the end of the programme, you will have acquired the following skills:

Overview of the Programme

  • master film-related acting techniques,
  • prepare for film shoots using specific role preparation techniques,
  • describe cinematic imagery and related camera and sound techniques and incorporate them into your own acting work,
  • describe all important functions of a film team and the processes on set, as well as your role within them,
  • use camera, lighting, sound and editing techniques for your own projects,
  • describe and analyse dramaturgical elements and script patterns and translate them into acting processes,
  • understand and describe the historical development of the medium of film and the associated acting styles.
  • act as a professional voice actor in different genres (microphone acting, voiceover, dubbing, etc.),
  • learn and apply the basics of acting with digital technologies such as motion capture, green screens, etc.,
  • understand the use of digital tools in theatre and how to act as a performer in mixed settings (digital/analogue),
  • engage theoretically with digital media and technologies.
  • systematically research suitable potential employers (e.g., agencies, castings, dubbing studios, etc.) and approach them in an appropriate manner,
  • produce targeted, i.e., industry-specific application materials (e.g., voice demos, showreels, websites, photos, etc.),
  • conduct successful contract negotiations on the basis of reliable information about general terms and conditions, fees, standard contracts, etc.,
  • assess your own strengths and weaknesses and deploy and develop them in a targeted way.

Partners + exchanges

The HKB is associated with numerous partner universities in Switzerland and abroad and collaborates with international partners in a number of projects. It is also a member of various international networks. 

The MA in Acting for Screen & Digital Media is taught by lecturers and cooperation partners from Switzerland and abroad.

In its selection of students and lecturers, the degree programme has an international focus. During your studies the HKB offers you the opportunity of completing exchange semesters and work experience placements in Switzerland or abroad.

The MA programme is part of the Master Campus Theater CH, a cooperation of the four Swiss theatre programmes at university level in Bern, Lausanne, Verscio and Zurich.

Since our master’s degree programme is integrated into a university which teaches a wide variety of art forms you also get the opportunity to network across disciplines during your studies in Bern.

Career prospects

The Master Acting for Screen & Digital Media enables you to navigate the world of film and the associated processes and to conduct yourself professionally in this field of work.

  • You are able to prepare for castings as well as for roles independently and in a targeted manner.
  • You are able to create and inhabit roles and characters in film, animation, games and radio plays in a genre-specific way and to voice them professionally.
  • You can work independently and make the most of your strengths.
  • You are able to position yourself and to act in different film and digital formats..

Examples of Our Graduates’ Typical Job Profiles:

  • Actors in film, series and television
  • Voice actors and dubbing artists
  • Actors and voice actors in games, animation and virtual reality
  • Actors in digital theatre settings

Duration + content

Programme modules

In this module you learn

  • to act in front of the camera 
  • to master various acting techniques that facilitate acting in front of the camera
  • to work with your voice and body

In this module you learn

  • to dub
  • to do vocal and creative work with a microphone
  • to acquire the basics of acting with digital technologies such as motion capture and green screens
  • to use digital tools in theatre and act as a performer in such settings

In this module you learn

  • to know and understand the technical and artistic aspects of film as a medium, through film analysis and historical contextualisation
  • to get to know the dramaturgy and function of screenplays
  • to read screenplays for your own acting work

In this module you learn

  • acquire basic skills in working with camera, sound, lighting and editing equipment.
  • to shoot and edit scenes yourself
  • to collaborate in smaller teams across multiple disciplines

In this module you apply the skills and knowledge gained in the other courses:

  • In cooperation with various cooperation partners, you  shoot scenes or short films (trying out the interplay between directing and acting)
  • In the course of the programme, you will create and present a showreel.

This module focuses on professional networking:

  • Workshops on casting, e-casting, agencies etc. prepare you for a career in this area.
  • Meetings with experienced actors, directors, casting directors and agencies will provide insights into the field

The MA thesis consists of a practical film or media project and a written reflection.

You can consolidate your skills in various elective courses, such as:
-    Podcast
-    Hosting
-    scriptwriting (writers rooms) 
-    guerrilla filmmaking

Current developments in the field of AI (artificial intelligence) are changing the work in digital media at a rapid pace, which is why the content of these modules is continuously adapted to the challenges of the professional field.

Exchange semesters

HKB students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies or work experience abroad. In turn, interested persons from abroad can apply to study at HKB or spend part of their studies here.

Admission requirements

The number of places in the master’s programme is limited (Numerus Clausus). We will determine your eligibility for this course of study with the help of an aptitude test. In this test, your artistic skills will be examined on the basis of your previous work and a practical exam.

Requirements

  • Bachelor in theatre, dance, physical theatre
  • Bachelor in a different artistic field if a comparable acting qualification at a professional level can be provided
  • expressive acting potential at a professional level
  • ability to develop a role/character/scene independently
  • recognisable potential for acting in front of the camera
  • ability to reflect on artistic processes and oneself
  • contextual knowledge in the field of film and cultural criticism
  • ability to engage in dialogue and criticism

The teaching and working language of the Master in Acting for Film & Digital Media is English. The languages of acting are German or English.

An active command of the English language at level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages is a prerequisite for participation in the degree programme.

Foreign nationals must have valid travel documents recognised by Switzerland; frequently, a visa will also be required. Immediately upon accepting their place of study, international students also have to apply for a residence permit and submit proof of the necessary financial means to support themselves. Moreover, they have to take out health insurance before the start of their studies. Please make sure you are fully informed about the specific entry requirements for your country.

Admissions Procedure

The admission procedure for the master programme Acting for Screen & Digital Media consists of two stages - a pre-test and an aptitude test. The first stage can be completed via video, the second one takes place live on site.

For the first round, we would like applicants to submit a letter of motivation, an application video (e-casting), the application form and the additional documents listed in it.

The application video should include the following content:

  • About-Me (a short personal introduction), max. 1.5 to 3 minutes.
  • Two scenes, of which one can be written by the applicants themselves. Please give the scenes titles so that the source is clear. Max. 3 minutes for each scene.

In the About-Me video, the applicants must be seen alone and in a full-body view. In the scenes, a view of the head or upper body (medium close-up or medium shot) is sufficient. The video does not have to be a perfect film, a webcam or mobile phone camera will do.

The application video must be made available to the admissions committee via YouTube or Vimeo (please provide the link in the application form). It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the video can be played or that the link can be viewed.
Please note: Videos via Dropbox, We-Transfer or similar platforms will not be accepted.

In the case of a positive evaluation by the examiners, an invitation to the second round will be sent by e-mail.

The aptitude test determines the admission to the programme.

It consists of a practical examination and an aptitude interview. The aptitude test examines competences in the areas of body, speech/voice, acting potential, reflection potential and contextual knowledge.

Practical part

The basis for our work here is:

  • Guided body-voice training.
  • With the invitation to the aptitude test, applicants are given a role to work on, which is then presented and rehearsed in the test in front of a camera.

The jury of the pre-test may set further preparatory tasks for the aptitude test.

Aptitude interview

The aptitude interview is based on the letter of motivation and the results of the practical test. Important parameters in the interview are the applicant's motivation, previous professional experience (if any), job profile and their ability to reflect.

Dates Aptitude test

Thursday & Friday, 7 & 8 November 2024
Thursday & Friday, 12 & 13 December 2024
Thursday & Friday, 19 & 20 December 2024

Application

Start your course in spring 2025

Admission procedure

We invite you to use the registration form to apply for the start of studies in February 2025.

The costs for the programme comprise application, tuition and examination fees plus the cost of course materials and excursions.

Application (per application) and aptitude assessment*

CHF 50.–

Matriculation**

CHF 100.–

Tuition fees (per semester)

CHF 750.–

Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)

CHF 950.–

Examination fee (per semester)

CHF 80.–

Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)    

CHF 24.–

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester) 

CHF 15.–

Leave of absence fee (per semester)

CHF 100.–

* The fee for both parts of the examination (see above) is CHF/EUR 50.– and must be paid via invoice. If the student passes the examination and accepts a place at the university, the matriculation fee of CHF 100 and the aptitude test fee of CHF 150 are due. If you have any questions, please contact the secretariat for your degree programme.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** International students are defined as persons of foreign citizenship who at the time of obtaining their university entrance qualification were domiciled under civil law neither in Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein.

There is also a fixed fee for materials whose amount depends on the degree programme as well as additional costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, supplies, etc.

General Information on Scholarships


If you have any questions concerning scholarships and loans, please contact the theatre secretariat.

At Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, we promote balance between study, work and family.

A limited number of nursery places are available to BFH staff and students. If you’d like to take advantage of this offer, the relevant documents can be found on the BFH Intranet. The fees are income-based and in line with the cantonal rates described in the Verordnung über die Angebote der sozialen Integration (Decree on Social Integration Offer ASIV) issued by the Canton of Bern. You can apply for a nursery place using the online form on the BFH Intranet. If you’re a new student or member of staff and don’t have access to the Intranet, please contact Sarah Gross. There is no legal entitlement to a nursery place.

Students must fulfil their military service obligations during their studies. Plan and coordinate studies and service obligations well in advance.

We strongly recommend that you complete the military training programme and your first period of civil service before starting your studies. Completing them during your Master will result in absences and may prolong the duration of your studies.

General information about military and civil service

Advisory service

If you wish to get advice on how to co-ordinate your studies and your compulsory service, please contact HKB Student Administration (+41 31 848 49 49).

General information about work/family + military or civil service


You can get information about how to coordinate studies and military or civil service from the HKB student administration (+41 31 848 49 49).

Advice + information

Do you still have questions about the programme? The head of the degree programme, lecturers and students will be able to answer them at one of our information events.

Advice

Choosing a degree programme is an important decision. We will be happy to arrange a face-to-face chat to answer your questions and advise you on the requirements for your chosen programme.

Head of Degree Programme

Wolfram Heberle

  • Studiengangsleiter Theater
  • +41 31 848 49 93
  • Show e-mail

Assistant

Sibylle Heim

  • Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
  • +41 31 848 49 97
  • Show e-mail

Secretariat HKB Theater

  • +41 31 848 49 90
  • Show e-mail

Location + facilities

Location

Bern Zikadenweg 35

Facilities

HKB Theatre Zikadenweg

The location of the theatre division at Zikadenweg features over 3,000m2 of work and performance spaces, including three adjustable stages (main, studio and rehearsal stage) equipped with professional theatre technology. 9 large project spaces are available to students as rehearsal and work studios. A dance and movement studio, several video editing suites, a workshop, a prop and costume store, as well as a theatre library provide an excellent environment for intensive theatre studies.

Other locations at HKB

In addition to the infrastructure on site, students have access to the facilities at other HKB locations. The MediaLab is the skill and service centre for audio-visual design and photography at HKB. Workspaces and studios are fully equipped for production and available around the clock. Our MediaLab team offers courses and training in photography and videography. They are happy to help answer content-related and technical questions from students and lecturers alike. The multimedia library is the specialist library for the areas of design and art, conservation and restoration and the Y Institute (Institute for Transdisciplinarity). It is open to members of the HKB community and the public. 35,000 items are available in the open access library.