Drama and Literature

Dramatic Arts and Literature at the University of Essex offers an immersive and comprehensive exploration of the world of theatre, performance, and literary culture. This innovative programme combines rigorous academic study with practical engagement, providing students with a deep understanding of dramatic texts, theatrical traditions, and performance techniques from diverse historical periods and cultures. Students will analyze classic and contemporary plays, gaining insights into their social, political, and artistic contexts, while also developing critical thinking and interpretative skills essential for careers in arts, education, media, and cultural industries. The programme emphasizes both theatre history and theory, alongside practical skills such as acting, directing, scriptwriting, and stage design, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Throughout their studies, students will participate in workshops, productions, and internships, fostering hands-on experience and professional development. The curriculum is designed to nurture creativity, collaboration, and analytical abilities, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to pursue diverse roles within the vibrant performing arts sector or further academic research. With access to excellent facilities, including theatre spaces and media resources, students benefit from a supportive environment that encourages experimentation and innovation. Academic staff are experts in their fields, providing mentoring and guidance to help students achieve their personal and professional goals. Whether students aim to become actors, directors, playwrights, literary critics, or cultural commentators, this programme offers a balanced blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing them for success in multiple domains related to drama, literature, and performance arts.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available. We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Introduction to Drama;
Literature: Origins and Transformations;
The Enlightenment;
Close Reading Skills (taken in either the autumn or spring terms); and
one of the following: Undergraduate Writing Skills for the Humanities and Social Sciences (taken in either the autumn or spring terms), Introduction to United States Literature (autumn term), or Introduction to European Literature (spring term).

Year 2

Two second-year drama options; and
two second-year literature options

Year 3

One final-year drama option;
one final-year drama option or independent study option;
one final-year literature or film studies option; and
one final-year literature option or independent study option

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB, with one A-level in an essay-based subject
• GCSE English: C
• BTEC qualifications in relevant disciplines will be considered on an individual basis depending on the units studied. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The University of Essex offers a comprehensive program in Drama and Literature designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the theatrical arts and literary studies. This degree combines rigorous academic coursework with practical performance training, enabling students to explore a wide range of texts, contexts, and critical approaches. Throughout the program, students engage with both historical and contemporary works, analyzing their themes, structures, and cultural significance. The curriculum is structured to foster analytical thinking, creative expression, and scholarly research skills, equipping graduates for careers in theatre, publishing, education, and media.

The program's core modules typically cover topics such as dramatic literature from different periods, performance studies, and literary theory. Students also have optional modules that allow specialization in areas like multicultural drama, playwriting, directing, and film studies. Practical modules may include acting techniques, stagecraft, and devising theatre productions. The program emphasizes student participation in live performances, fostering hands-on experience and collaborative working skills essential in the performing arts sector.

Research-led teaching at Essex means that students benefit from the expertise of leading academics and practitioners in the fields of drama and literature. The university's facilities include dedicated theatre spaces, media labs, and extensive libraries to support learning and creative projects. Assessment methods are diverse, often combining essays, presentations, practical assessments, and group projects to develop a broad skill set.

The university encourages an international outlook, often offering opportunities for study abroad and research exchanges, allowing students to broaden their cultural perspectives. The overall aim of the program is to prepare students not only for immediate employment but also for continued intellectual growth and professional development within the arts and humanities sectors. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in theatre production, literary editing, arts administration, teaching, and further academic research.