This practice-based program is taught by active theatre practitioners and companies. Our tutors have exceptional teaching experience and are committed to helping students reach their fullest potential. We proudly welcome students from across the UK and around the world.
Students are trained to be versatile artists with classes in acting, directing, movement, writing, dramaturgy, design, producing, and theory. Our graduates include award-winning practitioners who work in a range of capacities across theatre, film, and television.
We believe in learning by doing, so our students continuously make and present performances. We have a rich calendar of professional workshops, talks by practitioners, performance visits, industry collaborations, and placements to help you get the most out of your time.
Every element of the program has been carefully designed to prepare you for working life. We teach professional conduct to help you meet the high standards expected by employers and you will also learn the skills required to set up your own projects and companies.
Our students enjoy use of the University’s excellent facilities and studios, and make professional connections throughout their education. So far this year, they have learned from practitioners with the National Theatre, Royal Court, Cirque du Soleil, and other international companies. They’ve also had numerous classes and talks with artists from Complicite, one of the country’s most celebrated theatre ensembles.
Our program has links with companies and festivals in cities across the world, including New York and Rome, and students often have the option to travel to help enhance their learning.
The course has a Facebook page with news and events from alumni, students and staff.
Assessment
There are no exams during this course. Assessment is conducted via a combination of workshops, performances, productions, discussions, presentations, journals/portfolios and essays.
Self-assessment and reflection are key factors in the process of learning and are therefore considered throughout assessment.
What our students say
“At the heart of the course were its staff. They were professionals who brought their industry specialisms to the classroom, but were also mentors who nurtured and guided us, allowing individuality and creativity to flourish… It was informing, challenging, inspiring, and always brilliantly fun.”
Tanya Roberts, former student.
Graduate and actress Maimie McCoy of our former performing arts course had this to say about her experience:
„A huge amount of our performances were site specific, which meant we could be more imaginative with our staging. My final third year project was staged in the courtyard. I think we probably had the best teachers in the country who specialised in this approach to theatre and dance. They were hugely encouraging of everyone’s experience and opinions and determined for us to shatter the way we thought about performance, especially as most of us had come from a more traditional background.”
Read more on Maimie’s profile page.
After the course
There is a focus on helping you develop professional skills throughout the course. As a graduate, you could find yourself working in many exciting areas of theatre, including acting, directing, producing, community performance or theatre in education, theatre-making, arts policy making and arts administration or marketing.
Much of the course replicates working industry environments that strengthen the careers education element of the course. Staff maintain strong links with the industry, and use these to help students to access opportunities for internships and employment during and after the course. Modules in creative and cultural industries, and business and marketing will give you the opportunity to learn the skills appropriate to self management in the arts.
