(Full time) 2021 start
Theatre and Performance BA
Overview
This course offers a dynamic combination of practical and theoretical study. With a focus on collaborative, contemporary performance, you’ll investigate different types of professional practice and actively engage with the cultural industries locally, regionally and internationally. The course provides you with a challenging and rewarding opportunity to combine ambitious practical projects with rigorous critical thinking.
You’ll develop your own practice in small groups in our studios and our on-campus professional theatre, stage@leeds, whilst also having the chance to work with external partners and community groups which may include Leeds Playhouse, Opera North, local theatre companies, schools, galleries, museums and institutions within the criminal justice system.
With core and specialist modules spanning performance, applied theatre, design, directing, dance, musical theatre, management, technology, and writing, you’ll be able to follow a broad range of interests suited to your own academic and professional development.
Our graduates have progressed onto a wide variety of career destinations, including professional theatre and media, teaching, writing, event management, marketing and business as well as further academic study.
Specialist facilities
The School of Performance and Cultural Industry is based in stage@leeds, a purpose-built, landmark building located at the heart of the campus.
We have two professional, publicly licensed theatres. The main space seats 180 and is equipped with the latest technologies. It hosts a range of work by students and visiting theatre companies. Our second theatre studio provides a technically advanced performance research facility. The building also contains a dance studio, dressing rooms, box office and meeting rooms.
Other facilities in the School include rehearsal rooms, two black-box studios, costume construction and wardrobe stores, design studio, scenic workshop, computer-aided design, video editing and sound recording suites.
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Course content
Your first year will lay the foundations of the degree, with core modules introducing you to theories and approaches in theatre and performance and allowing you to explore them through different modes of practice. You’ll develop your performance and devising skills and look at the relationship between text and performance.
In the following year, you’ll continue with your creative practice, devising performances and workshops for an external organisation. You’ll also learn to apply different research methods and think about the political, historical, social and cultural contexts of performance. You’ll choose from a range of optional modules to explore your interests, from dance to arts marketing or cultural history.
By your third year, you’ll have considerably more independence in your practice and research, producing a self-directed independent project and choosing how you’ll be assessed. You’ll either take part in a collaborative, large-scale public performance or gain hands-on business experience with an enterprise project.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Independent study is also an important part of the degree, since this is where you develop your critical and research skills. This could be in a library or a studio, depending on the module, but the University Library does offer full training to help you make the most of our excellent resources.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We also use a range of assessment methods, depending on the modules you study. Performances, presentations, essays and portfolios are among the methods we use, depending on the theoretical and practical elements of each module.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
We would normally expect at least one essay/discursive subject within the range of A level subjects taken.
Other course specific tests:-
Access to HE Diploma
The Diploma must be in a relevant subject with 60 credits overall, with at least 45 credits at level 3 to include 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit
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BTEC
At BTEC Level 3 or equivalent, DDM with relevant subject and content balance. BTEC qualifications in combination with others will also be considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M2
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International Baccalaureate
34 overall (6 higher in areas relevant to the subject)
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR A in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR AAAABB in Highers
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Welsh Baccalaureate
We can consider the Individual Project Element of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate, and offer ABB for example + Distinction in the IP, (instead of AAB).
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Other Qualifications
If you’re taking an EPQ qualification, we may make an alternative offer one A-level grade below that of our standard offer with a grade A in the EPQ.We consider alternative profiles and experience as long as you can demonstrate that you’re suitable for the programme. We welcome applications from mature students and entry requirements can be flexible in these cases.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Next steps
We select applicants on the basis of your UCAS application and are looking for a strong personal statement and suitable grades.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £20,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
A degree in Theatre and Performance equips you with valuable subject knowledge, cultural awareness and an understanding of the performance and cultural industries. It also gives you transferable skills that are very attractive to employers.
As well as your understanding of performance and the theory behind it, you’ll develop strong research and analytical skills. You’ll be a confident communicator, who can present and defend your point of view clearly either verbally or in writing. You’ll be able to collaborate with others or work independently.
The cultural and creative industries offer a wide range of opportunities for graduates, such as writing, performing directing, production, events management, the media, arts administration, marketing, cultural policy, PR, community arts work and outreach, education and drama therapy.
However, you’ll acquire the skills for professional roles outside of the sector such as finance, law and business. Many of our graduates progress to postgraduate study in related disciplines.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.