The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme from September 2023. For students who entered the programme before September 2023, you can find the details of your programme:
BA Theatre and Performance
Context, Content and Structure
The course offers a unique blend of study across performance and the cultural industries that sets it apart from similar programmes both in the UK and internationally. Studying these two areas in conjunction with each other allows our students to develop:
- The creativity of the artist
- The insight of the cultural activist
- The dynamism of the entrepreneur
These attributes prepare our graduates for a wide variety of employment destinations across the creative and cultural industries.
The curriculum focuses on 20th and 21st century theatre and performance practices and consists of a core set of modules that deliver key frameworks for theoretical and creative study. This includes modules that foreground the development and application of practice and studio skills, exploring them in relation to key contemporary debates, such as Level 1 Studio Practices and Level 2 Creative Practices. Students will also engage with global perspectives on performance, and how it is informed by and mediated through digital technologies.
These are complemented by an exciting range of options and Discovery modules that are rooted in staff specialisms and research activity, and which further allow students the opportunity to broaden their understanding of Theatre and Performance. This may include exploring elements of performance practice in more detail (Theatre Directing, Performance Design), further explore its wider impacts (Politics, Identity and Performance, Cultural Flashpoints in the Performing Arts) or situate theatre and performance in the wider cultural industries (Arts and Cultural Management, Contemporary Issues in Arts and Culture). Expertise and technical resource in the School provides the opportunityto engage with immersive and interactive performance, and digital performance.
Students will be supported in developing, recognising and reflecting on their skills throughout the programme. Modules at each Level provide support and opportunities for students to develop their academic literacy and progress towards autonomous self-directed research activity. This is particularly evident in the pathway through the refreshed Level 1 module Studying Theatre & Performance and the new Level 2 module Reflection and Research which scaffold the student journey towards the two Level 3 modules IRP, Public Performance and Negotiated Project. These modules provide students the opportunity for research-based learning through written work (a “standard” dissertation on IRP) and/or practice (a professional final year performance in Public Performance, or an individual or group enterprise project). The practice elements further enhance students’ opportunities for applying employability skills and authentic assessment.
To support this the School’s teaching team offers a wide variety of research-based disciplinary specialisms from across the fields of performance and the cultural industries, including for example: applied performance, movement and physical theatre, arts management and cultural policy, devising and directing, and interactive and digital performance.
The School’s relationship with the University’s public licensed professional theatre provides many opportunities for students to become involved in its activities both through the curriculum and as volunteers or as a member of one of the many Student Union performance societies. These opportunities offer the unique experience of working in a professional theatre environment within a university context.
All students have the option to broaden their experience and to strengthen global and cultural insights through choosing
to study abroad at a partner institution or to opt for an industry year.
- Study Abroad: In their 2nd year of study students have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad. The University has over 300 University partnerships worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, South Africa and Latin America.
- Work Placements: This programme gives the option to choose to undertake a placement module and to apply to take a placement year with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
(For students entering from September 2023 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECI1110 | Performance Matters | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI1111 | Performance Perspectives | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PECI1112 | Studio Practices | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PECI1113 | Performance Project: From Text to Performance | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI1114 | Studying Theatre and Performance | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
Candidates may take up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECI1240 | Introduction to Musical Theatre | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI1706 | Managing Festivals and Events | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI1707 | Exploring the Performing Arts | 20 | ||
| PECI1709 | Stage Management | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules
(For students entering from September 2023 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECI2110 | Reflection and Research | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| PECI2111 | Collaborative Performance Project | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI2112 | Re-thinking Theatre & Performance Histories | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PECI2113 | Creative Practices | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Basket 1. Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSER2206 | Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| FOAH2020 | Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| MUSS2825 | Opera North: Opera in Practice | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| PECI2211 | Interactive Performance | 20 | Not running in 202425 | |
| PECI2312 | Digital Performance Practices and the Body | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PECI2705 | Theatre Directing | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI2707 | Arts Marketing | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PECI2712 | Somatic Practices in the 20th and 21st Century | 20 | Not running in 202425 |
Basket 2. Candidates may take up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSER2207 | Students Into Schools (Arts Humanities and Culture) | 20 | Not running in 202425 | |
| FOAH2020 | Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| PECI2706 | Cultural Flashpoints in the Performing Arts | 20 | Not running in 202425 | |
| PECI2708 | Exploring Musical Theatre | 20 | Not running in 202425 | |
| PECI2709 | Performance Design | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PECI2713 | Performer Training in the C20th and C21st | 20 | Not running in 202425 | |
| PECI2714 | Politics, Identity and Performance | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
(For students entering from September 2023 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for year 3 are not yet available. Before you enter year 3 full details of modules for that year will be provided.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules: - Negotiated Project- 20 credits
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECI3112 | Performance Futures | 20 | Not running in 202425 |
Basket 1 - Candidates will be required to study 40 credits from the following optional modules:
-Public Performance- 40 credits
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECI3700 | Independent Research Project | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| PECI3702 | Enterprise Project | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Basket 2: Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:
- Interactive and Immersive Performance- 20 credits
- Digital Performance Practices- 20 credits
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSS2825 | Opera North: Opera in Practice | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| PECI3701 | Contemporary Issues in Arts and Culture | 20 | Not running in 202425 | |
| PECI3705 | Arts and Cultural Management | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Basket 3: Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:
- Performer Training in the C20th and C21st- 20 credits
- Politics, Identity & Performance- 20 credits
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECI3707 | Performance Design and Space | 20 | Not running in 202425 | |
| PECI3708 | Contemporary Theatre Makers | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PECI3711 | Inter-cultural Shakespeare | 20 | Not running in 202425 |
Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits of discovery modules
Last updated: 02/05/2024 10:59:24
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