BA Drama and Theatre Arts

Start date
September
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
W440
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25:
£9,250 (UK)
£22,860 (International)
More detail.

Studying on our BA Drama and Theatre Arts undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham allows you to combine theory and practice, provides you with your own theatre space and links to professional practitioners in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, London and beyond.

Our course offers you a varied core programme, including hands-on experience of key production skills and engaging optional modules, such as:

  • Immersive and participatory performance
  • Approaches to Acting
  • Directing
  • Site specific performance
  • Medicine and performance  
  • Performance and nation   
  • Politics and performance

as well as the opportunity to perform and work on full-scale productions in our campus-based theatre.

We’ll help you develop into a confident researcher and performer, allowing you to build a diverse and attractive professional profile for future job roles as varied as actor, director, fundraiser, journalist, marketing manager, publisher, producer, stage manager and writer.

My favourite module for Drama would be Theatre Practice, because it's more practical and we do a lot of exercises. Some of the exercises can be as random as getting a piece of paper, crumpling it up and then trying to replicate that with our bodies, trying to really focus on how our muscles work and feeling it in our limbs.

Kathryn

Why study this course?

Our undergraduate BA Drama and Theatre Arts degree is for you if you want to: 

  • Study, rehearse and perform in a professional setting – with its own library, study areas, studio spaces, design, lighting, sound and stage management work areas, as well as a state-of-the-art 200-seat theatre, the Selly Oak Campus provides everything you need to get the most out of your degree.   

  • Learn from and work with the experts – you’ll be taught by our research leading staff, many of whom continue to practise in the theatre industry, including artistic directors, freelance performers and live artists, as well as working with visiting industry professionals throughout your programme. 

  • Participate in RSC-led workshops – make use of our collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and take part in fun and interactive study trips, such as our Stratford Residential and this choreography workshop with Movement Director Tom Jackson Greaves.  

  • Live in a thriving performing arts city – join one of our many on-campus Drama societies, including everything from musical theatre groups to societies who take their work to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Take advantage of Birmingham’s exciting theatre scene, from big establishments such as Birmingham Hippodrome to quirky institutions such as The Old Joint Stock, plus stimulating theatre festivals such as Fierce and BE. 

  • Join a stellar cast of alumni – including 2023 Olivier nominee stage actor Patsy Ferran, The Iron Lady and Mamma Mia film director Phyllida Lloyd, broadcaster Ben Shephard, Downton Abbey film star Matthew Goode and Friday Night Dinner TV star Tamsin Greig.  

Modules

Please note: You will take 120 credits of modules in each year of study. The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

First year 

Compulsory modules

  • Engaging Performance
  • Landmarks in Theatre and Performance
  • Performance: Theory, Practice and Critique
  • Studio Practice
  • Theatre and Performance Practice
  • Theatre Crafts (Production Allocation)
  • Theatre Crafts (Production Arts)

Detailed descriptions of first year compulsory modules

Second year 

Compulsory modules

  • Performance Lab
  • Theatre Crafts
  • Texts in Rehearsal 

Optional modules 

  • 60 credits of optional modules 

Detailed descriptions of second year compulsory modules and list of optional modules

Year Abroad

You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year, you will be eligible to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.

More about a Year Abroad

Final year

Compulsory modules

  • Drama Dissertation or Practical Project

Optional modules 

  • 80 credits of optional modules 

Detailed descriptions of final year compulsory modules and list of optional modules

Fees

For UK students beginning their studies in September 2024, the University of Birmingham will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. The fees for your first year of study will therefore be £9,250. Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Fees for 2024/25 are as follows:

  • UK: £9,250
  • International: £22,860

Eligibility for fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students.

For further information on tuition fees, living costs and available financial support, please see our pages on undergraduate fees and funding.


Tuition fees when studying abroad

For those spending a whole academic year abroad (where available):

  • Students who are classed as UK for fees purposes are required to pay 15% of their normal annual tuition fee
  • Students who are classed as International for fee purposes are required to pay 50% of their normal annual tuition fee

For those studying abroad for just one semester (where available), normal annual tuition fees apply.

Note - Study abroad opportunities vary between courses; please see the course description for details of study abroad options offered.

How To Apply

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
ABB
General Studies:
Not accepted.

IB Diploma:
6,5,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall.

BTEC qualifications:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD.
  • BTEC Diploma: DD, plus A at A-level.
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level.

Please note: we will only accept BTEC qualifications in Performing Arts, Performing Arts (Acting), Performing Arts (Dance) and Performing Arts (Musical Theatre).

Other qualifications are considered - learn more about entry requirements.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

We welcome applications from international students and invite you to join our vibrant community of over 4500 international students who represent 150 different countries. We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

The text itself evades meaning. One of the things that is fascinating about Godot is that it is a text that seems to fall apart as the play is produced, as the play is performed.

Dr David Pattie

Studying Drama and Theatre Arts at Birmingham, we challenge you to become an independent and self-motivated learner (qualities highly sought after by employers), and will enable you to develop into a creative and flexible researcher and performer. 

You will learn every aspect of stage production, with the chance to take part each year in a season of plays closely tied to your academic and practical work. In third year, you will have the opportunity to perform in one of these productions, including a full-time rehearsal period, working under a professional director and a week-long public performance.

Professional directors for the productions over the years have included Tom Mansfield, Jane Moriarty and Peter Lesley Wild, as well as local theatre company Little Earthquake.

You will enjoy a diverse learning experience, including lectures, small group tutorials, independent study and peer group learning (such as delivering presentations with your classmates).

Support

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham. 

Personal tutors – You will be assigned your own personal tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Wellbeing Officers –You will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or to talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond if you need it.

Our Academic Skills Centre helps you to become a more effective and independent learner through a range of high-quality support services. The centre offers workshops on a range of topics, such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.

The Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) provides guidance on writing essays and dissertations if you need it. You can receive individual support from an academic writing advisor and meet with postgraduate tutors who specialise in particular subjects too.

Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events, including trips.

Teaching staff

Students at the University of Birmingham are taught by a mixture of professors, senior lecturers, lecturers and doctoral researchers, thereby receiving a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience. Many of our teaching staff have published important works about their areas of expertise, whilst others have taught at international institutions and can offer unique perspectives of their subjects.

You can find out more about the members of staff (including their qualifications, publication history and specific areas of interest) in their academic profiles linked below.

Contact Hours

All Birmingham degrees are set within a credit framework designed to measure your academic achievements. We expect all students to accumulate 120 credits in each full year of study which is equivalent to 40 hours of learning a week. Learning is considered to include contact learning (lectures and seminars), private study, revision and assessment.

For this programme, those 40 hours are estimated to be broken down and split into lectures, seminars and other guided teaching opportunities and then independent study. This is a general rule across the entire academic year and may change week by week.

  • Year 1: 20% Lectures, seminars or similar and 80% Independent study
  • Year 2: 15% Lectures, seminars or similar and 85% Independent study
  • Year 3: 20% Lectures, seminars or similar and 80% Independent study

Assessment Methods

Assessments - you will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:

  • coursework, such as essays
  • group and individual presentations
  • and exams

Feedback - you will receive feedback on each assessment within three weeks, so you can learn from each assignment. You will also be given feedback on any exams that you take. If you should fail an exam, we will ensure that particularly detailed feedback is provided to help you prepare for future exams.

 

You will develop fantastic skills for your future career, such as presentation delivery, confidence, communication and teamwork. 

These are timeless skills which are useful for a wide variety of careers, not solely restricted to theatrical vocations. 

As well as working as theatre practitioners, our graduates can be found in roles as diverse as:

  • Journalist
  • Corporate fundraiser
  • Copywriter
  • Healthcare professional
  • Marketing manager
  • Teacher
  • Publisher
  • Account manager
  • Technician
  • Drama therapist
  • Videographer
  • Lawyer

Our graduates have gone on to work for well-known employers such as the NHS, RSC, The Ministry of Justice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Royal Ballet, McCann PR, Bloomsbury Publishing Group and Birmingham REP Theatre.

Of course, we also have professional actors and theatre practitioners amongst our alumni community, including:

  • Tamsin Greig, BA Drama and Theatre Arts, 1998: Olivier-winning actor.
  • Matthew Goode, BA Drama and Theatre Arts, 1999: actor in British and American film and TV including The Imitation Game, WatchmenDownton Abbey and The Good Wife.
  • Phyllida Lloyd, BA English and Drama, 1979: director of plays, opera and film including Mamma Mia! on stage and screen and the recent film The Iron Lady.
  • Victoria Wood, BA Drama and Theatre Arts, 1974: comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and director.
  • Ben Shephard, BA Drama and Theatre Arts, 1997: television presenter currently working for Sky Sports and ITV.
  • Stuart Blackburn, BA Drama and Theatre Arts, 1987: current series producer of Emmerdale at ITV.
  • Pippa Evans, BA Drama and Theatre Arts, 2004: comedian - arrived at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008 and nominated for Best Newcomer.
  • Patsy Ferran, BA Drama and Theatre Arts, 2011: stage actor, including playing Jim in the 2014 National Theatre production of Treasure Island and Portia in the 2015 Royal Shakespeare production of The Merchant of Venice.

Developing your career

The University of Birmingham is the 3rd most targeted university by the country’s top graduate employers according to The Graduate Market 2023 report [PDF - 1.4MB]. Our Careers Network are here to offer you tailored, expert advice on your career plans and support you with finding and applying for jobs, internships and further study. There are hundreds of events to help you meet potential employers and learn more about the breadth of opportunities and career sectors available to you.

Support will be offered to you covering the whole job application process, including CVs, LinkedIn, application forms, interviews and assessment centres.  You can also email our experienced Careers Advisors and College Teams to review your applications or answer any careers related question, alongside our on campus and online 1:1 appointments.

We have a number of exclusive Internship Programmes such as our Cultural Internships, which will give you paid, professional experience to set you apart in the graduate market. We also offer work experience bursaries, which allow you to apply for funding to support you during any unpaid internships. 

First years can take part in The Birmingham Project, with themes including celebrating arts and culture and shaping a global society. There’s also a successful Mentoring Programme, where you can gain access to experienced Mentors who can empower, inspire and inform you about their experiences.  As a University of Birmingham student you will also be given access to LinkedIn Learning giving free access to real world training courses to kick-start your careers.

If you want to earn money WorkLink advertises convenient part-time job opportunities on campus to fit round your studies.  

Extra-curricular activities

To enhance your career prospects even further, you may want to engage in extra-curricular activities to broaden your skills and your network of contacts. Our employer-endorsed, award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme.

There are more than 500 student groups and volunteering opportunities offered by the Guild of Students (our Students’ Union) so you’re bound to find activities that you want to be involved in whilst meeting friends who share your interests.