Theatre and Performance with Enterprise BA

Taught by the School of Performance and Cultural Industries, in collaboration with Leeds University Business School, this course will develop your knowledge and understanding of theatre, performance, cultural industries and entrepreneurship.

You’ll develop your own practice in our professional theatre, stage@leeds, and have the chance to work outside the theatre with external partners and community groups.

You’ll also explore the historical and cultural contexts of theatre, innovations in practice, performance design, arts management, cultural theory, performance technologies, composition and devising, and the impact of the cultural industries.

At the same time, you’ll study modules in planning, managing innovation in business, development, creativity and social enterprise with the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies at Leeds University Business School.

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 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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Your first year will provide you with knowledge and understanding of fundamental theories and approaches in theatre and performance, as well as exploring them through different modes of practice. You’ll also choose from optional modules on different aspects of business and social enterprise, and explore further aspects of the cultural and creative industries.

In the following year, you’ll continue with your theoretical examination as well as creative practice, exploring a variety of creative industries and enterprise contexts. You’ll also learn to apply different research methods and think about the political, historical, social and cultural contexts of performance practitioners.

Compulsory study of enterprise includes modules focused on entrepreneurship theory and practice and planning. You’ll also 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 developed independence in both your practice and research, producing a self-directed independent project and choosing how you’ll be assessed. You’ll try your hand at an enterprise project, which may provide a springboard to a future career. Other modules will allow you to explore important issues in the contemporary arts and cultural sector, with social aspects of an enterprise involving networking and consultancy.

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

Your tutors will have a wide range of performance and research expertise which informs their teaching. We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you expand your knowledge, including studio practice and workshops in practice-based modules, or lectures and seminars for theory modules.

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. Essays, exams, presentations and performances are all among the methods we use, depending on the theoretical and practical elements of each module.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

We would normally expect at least one essay/discursive subject within the range of A level subjects taken.

• 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

• 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.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, M1, M2

• International Baccalaureate

  34 overall (6 higher in areas relevant to the subject)

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

• 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

• 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).

• 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 School’s 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.

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: £21,250 (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.

This degree will equip you with valuable subject knowledge, cultural awareness and an understanding of the performance and cultural industries as well as core principles and practices of business and entrepreneurship. It will also gives you a range of transferable skills that are very attractive to employers.

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.

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.

Skills and knowledge you develop in enterprise will also give you the confidence to explore opportunities for self-employment and you could start up your own business.

You’ll also 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.

Read more about employability.

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

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.

Year in Enterprise

If you have a workable business plan, you can also apply to spend a year developing your business. The year in enterprise works just like the year in industry – you extend your degree by a year and spend the third year benefiting from the Leeds Enterprise Centre’s support to get it off the ground.

Read more about Year in Enterprise