2025/26 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BA Theatre and Performance

Programme overview

Programme code
BA-PECI/T&P
UCAS code
W440
Duration
3 Years
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Dr Alison Andrews
Contact address
a.andrews@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
360
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
School of Performance and Cultural Industries
Examination board through which the programme will be considered
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups
Dance, Drama and Performance

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

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 opportunity to 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, Aust ralia, 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.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PECI1110Performance Matters20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI1111Performance Perspectives20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI1112Studio Practices20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI1113Performance Project: From Text to Performance20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI1114Studying Theatre and Performance20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates may take up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PECI1240Introduction to Musical Theatre20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI1706Managing Festivals and Events20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI1707Exploring the Performing Arts20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI1709Stage Management20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery Modules

Candidates may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PECI2110Reflection and Research20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)PFP
PECI2111Collaborative Performance Project20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI2112Re-thinking Theatre & Performance Histories20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI2113Creative Practices20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional Modules

Basket 1. Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
FOAH2020Towards the Future: Skills in Context20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MUS2331Opera North: Opera in Practice20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PECI2211Interactive Performance20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI2312Digital Performance Practices and the Body20Not running in 202526
PECI2313Somatic Practice for Performance20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI2705Theatre Directing20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI2711Critical Arts Marketing20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Interactive & Immersive Performance, Digital Performance Practices and Somatic Practices taught in alternate years.

Basket 2. Candidates may take up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CSER2206Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI2706Cultural Flashpoints in the Performing Arts20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI2708Exploring Musical Theatre20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI2709Performance Design20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI2713Performer Training in the C20th and C21st20Not running in 202526
PECI2714Politics, Identity and Performance20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Performer Training in the C20th and C21st and Politics, Identity & Performance taught in alternate years.

Discovery Modules

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PECI3111Negotiated Project20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI3112Performance Futures20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional Modules

Basket 1 - Candidates will be required to study 40 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PECI3110Public Performance40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PECI3700Independent Research Project40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PECI3702Enterprise Project40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Basket 2: Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MUS3331Opera North: Opera in Practice20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PECI3211Interactive Performance20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI3313Somatic Practice for Performance20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI3701Contemporary Issues in Arts and Culture20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI3704Independent Practice20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PECI3705Arts and Cultural Management20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Basket 3: Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:

PECI3372: Performer Training in the C20th and C21st (20 credits)
PECI3274: Politics, Identity & Performance (20 credits)

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PECI3707Performance Design and Space20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI3708Contemporary Theatre Makers20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PECI3711Inter-cultural Shakespeare20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Discovery Modules

Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits of discovery modules.

Last updated: 01/05/2025 13:24:36

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