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Performing Arts and Design Chats and Auditions

Welcome to our FAQs page.

Here you can find some outline information about what to expect at the informal chat or audition stage of the application process if you have applied for one of our Performing Arts and Design courses. Full details will be emailed to you in your invite.

  • Where will my audition take place?

    Your audition will take place face-to-face in our on-campus performance space at Waterside campus. This is the best way for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us. Please attend in loose fitting clothing suitable for movement. Dates are limited so if you need to reschedule, please contact us as early as possible.

    How long will my audition take?

    Your audition will last approximately six hours. Your audition will be in a group setting with fellow applicants and will include some vocal, movement and acting workshop elements.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my audition?

    In preparation for your audition, you will need to memorise two monologues, no longer than two minutes long. These will be performed to the group.

    • 1 contemporary monologue from a published play
    • 1 classical/Shakespeare monologue

    One of our Acting lecturers will be giving you directions during your monologues.

    What should I bring with me to my audition?

    You will need bring a recent passport sized (showing head and shoulders) photo with you to your audition and a form of photographic ID.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my audition?

    If you have any questions about your audition, please email Owain Rose (Joint Programme Leader) on owain.rose@northampton.ac.uk.

  • Where will my audition take place?

    Your audition will take place face-to-face in our on-campus performance space at Waterside campus, this is the best way for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us.  Please attend in loose fitting clothing suitable for movement. Dates are limited so if you need to reschedule, please contact us as early as possible.

    How long will my audition take?

    Your audition will last approximately four hours. You will meet tutors and students from the course and be able to ask any questions you may have about actor training at UON.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my audition?

    You’ll need to prepare two monologues for your audition. These will be performed to the group:

    • 1 contemporary monologue
    • 1 monologue that you can choose from the following:
      • A Shakespeare speech
      • A piece of poetry
      • A self-written monologue
      • A song (played on an instrument or sung acapella)

    Your second speech/poetry/song should show us what you are most interested in as an artist.

    Monologues should be memorised by heart.

    What should I bring with me to my audition?

    Please remember to bring with you a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) and have this ready to present at registration when you arrive.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my audition?

    If you have any questions about your audition, please email Luke Clarke on luke.clarke@northampton.ac.uk and Lisa Lapidge on lisa.lapidge@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Your chat will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. For online chats you will need a device with video capability to participate.

    Your chat invite email will detail how to download and access the Blackboard Collaborate and the Games Art team will email you a link to join before your scheduled date.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    Please email a digital portfolio of approximately six to eight pieces of work to animation@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one week before your chat. Your portfolio should contain work for any animation related projects you have created or contributed to. This could include observational drawing, animations, digital artwork, character  concepts or storyboarding.

    Please refer to your chat invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Please have a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) ready to present and make sure to log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera

    We recommend using Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions regarding your chat, please contact lewis.sanderson@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Face-to-face chats will take place at our Waterside Campus. Please register in the Learning Hub building.
    Virtual chats will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. You will need a device with video capability to participate. You will be sent a link to join your chat before the day.

    How long will my chat take?

    Face-to-face chats will last between 30 minutes and 1 hour, but you will be on campus for longer than this as you will need to register. You will also be able to see the course facilities and join a Q&A session with the tutor.

    Virtual chats will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    You will need to prepare a portfolio to share at your chat, make sure there are at least three examples of your best work. Please include in your portfolio:

    • One piece which evidences your drawing ability
    • Two other pieces which demonstrates your design development

    If you are attending a virtual chat, you will need to submit a PDF version on the day via email to emmeline.child@northampton.ac.uk.

    What should I do on the day?

    Make sure you have identification (passport/drivers licence/college card/visa) ready to present
    For virtual chats, make sure to log in 5 minutes early to check your microphone and camera are working. Find a quiet place free from interruption, join using the link you have been sent and wait for the academic to welcome you.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions about your chat, please email Emmeline Child (Programme Leader) at emmeline.child@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will our chat take place?

    Our chat will take place on an online platform called NILE. You will need a device with video capability to participate. Your chat invite email will detail how to access the NILE platform. Our Fine Art team will email you a link to join your chat about one week before your interview day.

    How long will our chat take?

    Your chat will take approximately 45 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    At least one day before your chat, please email a PDF digital portfolio which includes between 10 – 20 examples of your best work to fineart@northampton.ac.uk. Include examples like painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture/3D, photography and digital art, as well as your sketchbook pages. Please refer to your chat invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Make sure you have identification ready (driving license, passport, or visa) and please log in 5 minutes before your interview to check your microphone and camera are working. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your browser on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions about your chat, please email Richard Hollinshead (Programme Leader) at richard.hollinshead@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Your chat will take place online using a platform called Blackboard Collaborate. You will need a device with video capability to participate. Our Fine Art Painting & Drawing team will email you a Collaborate link to join your chat before the day.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    No later than one week before your chat, please email a PDF digital portfolio which includes between 10 – 20 examples of your best work to fineart@northampton.ac.uk. Include examples like painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, digital painting/drawing or moving image. We’d also love to see some of your sketchbook pages. Don’t worry if not everything is finished—works in progress are ok. We want to see your ideas and experiments as well!

    Please refer to your chat invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Make sure you have identification ready (driving license, passport, or visa) and please log in 5 minutes before your interview to check your microphone and camera are working. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your browser on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions, or if you do not receive the Collaborate link, please contact both Stefan Gant (Programme Leader) on stefan.gant@northampton.ac.uk and Dr Michael Evans on michael.evans@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Your chat will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. For online chats you will need a device with video capability to participate.

    Your chat invite email will detail how to download and access the Blackboard Collaborate and the Games Art team will email you a link to join before your scheduled date.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    Please email a digital portfolio of approximately six to eight pieces of work to games@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one week before your chat.

    Your portfolio can contain any of the following: Observational drawing (subjects containing perspective and/or anatomy), painting (digital or traditional media), concept art (designs for video game characters, props, and environments), animation, sculpture, graphic design, any digital 3D modelling and texturing that you may have done, any game related projects that you have contributed to, and any modding that you may have done (such as level design for commercial video games).

    Please refer to your chat invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Please have a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) ready to present and make sure to log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera.
    We recommend using Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions, or if you do not receive the Blackboard Collaborate link, please contact daniel.mccaul@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Your chat will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. For online chats you will need a device with video capability to participate.

    Your chat invite email will detail how to download and access the Blackboard Collaborate and the Games Art team will email you a link to join before your scheduled date.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    Please email a digital portfolio of approximately six to eight pieces of work to games@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one week before your interview. Your portfolio should contain work for any game-related projects you have created or contributed to, any 3D modelling, or any modding for commercial games.

    Please refer to your chat invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Please have a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) ready to present and make sure to log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera.

    We recommend using Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions regarding your chat, please contact david.nicholls@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Face-to-face chats will take place on our Waterside Campus. Please register in the Learning Hub.
    Virtual chats will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. You will need a device will video capability to participate. Your invite email will detail how to access the Blackboard Collaborate platform. The Graphic Communication Design team will email you a link to join before the day.

    How long will my chat take?

    Chats will take approximately 30 minutes however if your chat is face to face, you will be on campus for longer than this as you will need to register.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    You will need to prepare a portfolio of your best work, containing around 10 pieces of work. Please refer to your chat invite email for the portfolio requirements.

    For face-to-face chats your portfolio should be presented in an A3 or A2 folder. If you have digital work like web or app design, animation, or moving images, you can bring a memory stick or use your own laptop. If your work is online, we can check it out during our chat, just make sure you have the URLs handy and that the links are working

    For virtual chats, please email a PDF digital portfolio to graphiccomm@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one day before. If you have digital work like web or app design, animation, or moving images, or use a digital portfolio site, please include links/videos for us to view these (please check the links are active when sending).

    Don’t worry if not everything is finished—works in progress are ok. We want to see your ideas and experiments as well!

    What should I do on the day?

    Please remember to have with you a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa).
    For virtual chats, make sure to log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions about your chat, or if you do not receive the Collaborate link, please contact Trevor Brown (Programme Leader) on trevor.brown@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Face-to-face chats will take place at Waterside Campus. Please register in the Learning Hub building.

    Virtual chats will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. You will need a device with video capability to participate. Your invite email will detail how to access the Blackboard Collaborate platform.

    How long will my chat take?

    Chats will take approximately 30 minutes however if your chat is face to face, you will be on campus for longer than this as you will need to register.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    We’d love to see examples of research, ideas, and developments, as well as finished projects. This could include sketchbook pages, life drawing, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture/3D, photography, digital painting and drawing or animation.  For face-to-face chats, please bring a physical copy of your portfolio with you (ideally in an A3, A2 or A1 folder), or a memory stick that you can access through our computers. Your portfolio should include at least 10 to 15 pieces of your work.

    If your chat is virtual, at least 2 working days before your chat, please email a PDF digital portfolio of 10 to 15 pieces of your work to illustration@northampton.ac.uk.

    What should I do on the day?

    Make sure you have identification (passport/drivers licence/college card/visa) ready to present.
    For virtual chats, check your microphone and camera are working, find a quiet place free from interruption, join using the link you have been sent and wait for the academic to welcome you.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions regarding my chat?

    If you have any questions regarding your chat, or if you do not receive the Collaborate link,  please contact Louise Bird (Programme Leader) on louise.bird@northampton.ac.uk or illustration@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Chats will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. You will need a device with video capability to participate. Your chat invite email will detail how to access the Blackboard Collaborate platform.

    The Interior Architecture & Spatial Design team will email you a link to join your chat before your scheduled date.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    Please email a PDF digital portfolio of around 10 examples of your best work to iasd@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one day before our chat. Include examples like sketches, model making, sketchbook work demonstrating idea development and any final pieces of work. Please refer to your chat invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Please have a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) ready to present and make sure to log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera.

    We recommend using Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions regarding my chat?

    If you have any questions, or if you do not receive the Collaborate link, please contact Angelique Wisse (Programme Leader) on angelique.wisse@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Face-to-face chats will take place at the Development Hub.
    Virtual chats take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. For virtual chats, you will need a device with video capability to participate. Your chat invite email will detail how to access the Blackboard Collaborate platform. Our Music Production team will email you a link to join your chat before your scheduled date.

    How long will my chat take?

    Face-to-face chats will last between one and two hours and will include a tour of the facilities. You’ll get to sit down with someone from the Music Production team to chat  about your audition video, your work, the course and your goals. You’ll also get a tour of the studio spaces and a chance to interact with some of the technology we have.

    Virtual chats will last approximately 30 minutes. You’ll chat with someone from the Music Production team, who will review your audition video and ask you about your work and why you want to join the course. Feel free to ask any questions you have about the course too.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    You will need to make or send a short audition video to music@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one week before your interview date. Please refer to your chat invite emails for the the audition requirements. You can include footage of you making music in a DAW of your choice. For example, Logic Pro, Ableton – whatever package you use. Alternatively, you could send us footage of you DJing or making live music using software.

    What should I do on the day?

    Please remember to bring with you a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) and have this ready to present at registration when you arrive for your face-to-face chat.
    For virtual chats, check your microphone and camera are working, find a quiet place free from interruption, join using the link you have been sent and wait for the academic to welcome you.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my audition?

    If you have any questions, or if you do not receive the Collaborate link, please contact Mark Thursby(Programme Leader) on mark.thursby@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Your chat will take place online using Microsoft Teams. You will need a device with video capability to participate. Your invite email will detail how to access the Teams platform. Our Photography Team will email you a link to join before the day.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    Please email a PDF digital portfolio of approximately 5 to 10 images of your work to photography@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one week before your interview.

    Include examples of your visual research/journal work, and a short piece of writing on photography or other lens-based mediums (essay, contextual report, exhibition review etc). This will help us get a feel for your writing style and see how familiar you are with some key texts. There is no minimum or maximum word count for this, and we’re happy for this to be a piece of school/college coursework.
    Please refer to your invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Please have a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) ready to present and make sure to log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera.
    We recommend using Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have questions about my chat?

    If you have questions about your chat, please email Richard Whitehead (Programme Leader) on richard.whitehead@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Chats will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. You will need a device with video capability to participate. Your invite email will detail how to access the Blackboard Collaborate platform.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    You will need to make and send a short audition video of yourself either playing an instrument (or both) to music@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one week before your chat date.  Make sure to use your strongest instrument and most accomplished song.

    What should I do on the day?

    Make sure you have identification (passport/drivers licence/college card/visa) ready to present. Please log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera are working, find a quiet place free from interruption, join using the link you have been sent and wait for the academic to welcome you.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions about my chat?

    If you have any questions, please email Stace Constantinou (Programme Leader) on stace.constantinou@northampton.ac.uk.

  • If we really like your application its likely that we will want to see and discuss some of your work with you. We’re sure you would also like to get to know us better and this will be an opportunity to do just that!

    Where will my chat take place?

    Chats will take place online using Blackboard Collaborate. You will need a device with video capability to participate. Your chat invite email will detail how to access the Blackboard Collaborate platform. The Product Design team will email you a link to join your chat before your scheduled date.

    How long will my chat take?

    Your chat will last approximately 30 minutes.

    Is there any preparation work to do before my chat?

    Please email a PDF digital portfolio of up to 12 pages, comprising 3 to 5 pieces of your design work to productdesign@northampton.ac.uk, no later than one week before your chat.

    We’d love to see a range of 2-dimensional and 3-demensional work. This could be ideation and sketching, concept renderings and visualisations, sketch-modelling and prototyping, 2D and 3D CAD drawings, images of finished designs or artwork. Don’t worry about having everything in your portfolio finished. Feel free to include works in progress too—we’re excited to see your ideas and experimentation along with your completed pieces.

    Please refer to your chat invite email for the digital portfolio requirements.

    What should I do on the day?

    Please have a form of photographic ID (passport, drivers licence/student ID, visa) ready to present and make sure to log in five minutes early to check your microphone and camera.

    We recommend using Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.

    Who can I contact if I have any questions regarding my chat?

    If you have any questions, or if you do not receive the Collaborate link, please contact the team on product.design@northampton.ac.uk.

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