Drama and Theatre

The BA Drama and Theatre programme at the University of Kent offers students an extensive and immersive study of performance, theatre-making, and theatrical traditions from around the world. This innovative degree is designed to develop both practical skills and critical understanding, fostering creativity, collaboration, and analytical thinking in the dynamic field of performance arts. Throughout the course, students explore a diverse range of disciplines including acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, and theatre history, enabling them to understand and contribute to contemporary theatre practices.

The programme emphasizes experiential learning, with students having the opportunity to participate in a variety of practical workshops, productions, and projects. They gain hands-on experience in performance techniques, stagecraft, costume design, lighting, and sound, preparing them for careers in theatre, performance, or related industries. Academic modules complement these practical components, covering diverse topics such as theatrical theory, cultural contexts, digital performance, and script analysis. This balance ensures graduates are well-equipped with both creative skills and critical insights, making them versatile and adaptable practitioners.

Students benefit from contact with experienced staff, industry professionals, and a vibrant theatrical community. The university’s location offers access to a rich cultural landscape, including local theatres, festivals, and performance venues, providing ample opportunities for engagement and networking. The programme also encourages students to develop their own artistic voice and take creative risks, facilitating personal growth and confidence as performers and theatre-makers.

Additionally, the course supports career development through work placements, internships, and collaborative projects with external arts organisations. Graduates of the BA Drama and Theatre programme pursue diverse careers such as actors, directors, theatre creators, educators, and arts administrators. The degree also provides a solid foundation for postgraduate study or engagement in interdisciplinary performance practices. Overall, the programme aims to cultivate innovative, reflective, and skilled theatre practitioners who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the cultural sector and beyond.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 14860 Year (Non-EEA)

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

• English

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

• DR315 - Modern Theatre: A Theoretical Landscape
• DR317 - Texts for Theatre
• DR334 - Stagecraft
• DR337 - The Empty Space

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

• FI590 - Improvisation For Screen
• DR612 - Shakespeare's Theatre
• DR663 - Physical Theatre 1
• DR681 - Theatres of the Past 2: The Moderns
• DR682 - Theatre and Music
• DR549 - Acting
• DR575 - Victorian and Edwardian Theatre
• DR594 - Popular Performance
• DR609 - European Naturalist Theatre & Its Legacy
• DR667 - Site Specific Performance
• DR669 - European Theatre from 1945
• DR671 - Puppet and Object Theatre
• DR673 - Theatres of the Past 1: the Classics
• DR674 - Performance and Art: Intermediality from Wagner to the Virtuals

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

• DR676 - Introduction to Stand Up
• DR678 - Creative Project
• DR680 - Theatre & Adaptation
• DR610 - Performing Lives: Theory & Practice of Autobiographical Theatre
• DR592 - New Directions
• DR548 - Theatre & Journalism
• DR683 - Performing Philosophy
• DR664 - Physical Theatre II
• DR619 - Playwriting I: For Beginners
• DR629 - Cultural Policies in the British Theatre
• DR635 - Dance & Discourse: Dramaturgies of Moving Bodies
• DR636 - The Shakespeare Effect
• DR648 - Applied Theatre
• DR659 - Performing Classical Texts

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

• ABB

• The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

• The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

• 34 points overall or 16 at HL

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.

Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.

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 Kent.

This program in Drama and Theatre at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive and immersive experience in the performing arts. It combines practical performance skills with critical analysis and theoretical understanding, preparing graduates for diverse careers within theatre, drama, and related fields. The curriculum includes modules on acting techniques, voice and movement, playwriting, directing, stage design, and theatre history, allowing students to develop a well-rounded skill set. Additionally, students have opportunities to participate in productions, workshops, and collaborations with industry professionals, enhancing their practical abilities and professional networks. The program emphasizes creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, encouraging students to explore contemporary issues through theatrical practice. Supportive teaching staff with extensive industry experience guide students through individual projects and group work, fostering a collaborative learning environment. The university's location offers access to a vibrant arts scene and partnerships with local theatres, providing students with real-world experience. Graduates of the program often pursue careers in acting, directing, stage management, dramaturgy, arts administration, and applied theatre. The program's structure typically combines core modules with electives, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their interests and career aspirations. Students are also encouraged to undertake internships and work placements to gain valuable industry insights and enhance their employability post-graduation. The university’s facilities include theatre spaces, rehearsal rooms, and technical support, ensuring students have access to state-of-the-art resources throughout their studies. Overall, the Drama and Theatre program at the University of Kent aims to cultivate talented, critically engaged, and professionally prepared theatre practitioners ready to make an impact in the arts and cultural sectors.