BA Drama, Theatre and Performance

at Bangor University

This Drama, Theatre and Performance BA aims to identify the value of the arts in today's society and how we can apply these skills to the wider creative sector. You will be introduced to performance based training in acting, devising, directing, playwriting, technical theatre and musical theatre and a range of optional areas of study in education, business management and marketing, psychology, film, media and journalism. This will ensure you have the essential skills required for today’s competitive job market.

In your first year, you will study a foundation of contemporary theory and practice in the theatre, following 80 credits of compulsory modules alongside 40 credits of optional modules in other related subject areas, such as, music*, film, journalism, psychology, business management, marketing or/and education.

In Year 2, you will begin to specialise, choosing from 60-80 credits of compulsory modules and 40-60 credits from optional modules to ensure a diverse study of the arts and culture sector. Further training and avenues within the arts and culture sector are introduced, such as directing and dramaturgy, production work in new writing and musical theatre, multi-media performance practice with exploration in immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, 360 film, augmented reality and digital performance.

In the final year, there are still options where you can continue on specific pathways of performance-based training, as well as continuing to develop related skills from other areas of study, with the added opportunity of choosing to engage in work experience and developing marketing and finance business skills within the arts. You will also work on an independent practice-led or research-based dissertation in your chosen area of study, guided by your own one-to one dissertation supervisor. You could write your own play, or direct/devise your own performance, or go on to explore a specific pathway within the arts, educational, business or health sector in technical theatre, musical theatre, community practice or arts in health and wellbeing.

An added advantage is that you'll have the University's Arts and Innovation Centre, 'Pontio' your doorstep. Regular performance visits are organised at the venue and masterclasses delivered from national and internationally renowned theatre-makers.

Our typical offer is based on a minimum 96-120 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification e.g.

• A Levels: General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted

• International Baccalaureate Diploma

• BTEC National Extended Diploma: MMM-DDM

• Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM-DDM

• City & Guilds Advanced Technical/ Extended Diploma: case-by-case

• Access: Pass required

• Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted

• We also welcome applications from mature learners.

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year

International Tuition Fee For Full Year

• £15,250

Career opportunities

Employment prospects are excellent, with a wide range of career options available. Many graduates choose to work within the theatre, film or/and television industry, either as actors, directors, playwrights, or take up production posts as researchers, producers, technicians, or designers. Others will work through arts administration, marketing and fundraising within arts centres, festivals or companies, organising and supporting artistic programming and event management.

Drama is an excellent foundation if you wish to work in education or within a social context. Many graduates go on to train as drama teachers, social workers, drama therapists, community theatre facilitators, counsellors. The skill-based training and generic skills in developing confidence, and presentational skills are useful if you wish to pursue a career path in Psychology, Business, Journalism or Law.

Other possible career paths include creative writing; professional writing and publishing; print and/or broadcast journalism; as presenters; radio (as presenters as well as in programme production); digital, web and new media production; multi-media industries; lecturing; advertising and public relations.

Each year several students elect to undertake postgraduate work lasting from one to four years. This enables a further deepening of knowledge and expertise and leads to a truly individual contribution as academic, practitioner or performer. Academic postgraduates often go on to teach in universities, while practitioners and performers make their way into the national and international media and theatre industry.