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Education Secondary and Drama

BA (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - combined honours

Award
BA (Hons) Education Secondary and Drama
School/s
Bath School of Music and Performing Arts, School of Education
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full time.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: 39G4 or 39D2
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Pursue your passion for Drama while developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll need for a successful career in Education – and beyond.

  • Experiment, reflect and innovate; learn by making, producing, performing, directing and collaborating.
  • Gain the classroom experience that employers are looking for through placements in secondary schools during each year of your studies.
  • Become a creative communicator who can confidently speak to different audiences through a variety of media.

University of the Year for Social Inclusion

Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024

Joint 2nd in the UK

and #1 in the South West for Value Added in Drama and Dance (Guardian University Guide, 2024)

#7 in the UK

for Student-Staff Ratio in Education (Guardian University Guide, 2024)

#10 in the UK

and #1 in the South West for Student Satisfaction in Drama, Dance and Cinematics (Complete University Guide, 2024)

This Secondary Education and Drama degree is designed to enable you to gain real teaching experience before you embark on your PGCE. You'll study Education – in the broader contexts of professional practice, policy, teaching and learning – alongside Drama.

In teaching, subject expertise and enthusiasm aren't enough to give you the edge. This degree gives you practical experience of working in schools with young people – experience that employers value.

The course offers a guaranteed interview for our PGCE Secondary, and is flexible; we'll support you in achieving your aspirations as a professional educator – however they develop during the degree. You'll benefit from our tutors' wealth of research and practice-informed expertise when you join this community of learning and practice.


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What you'll learn

Overview

You’ll explore education from many theoretical and ideological perspectives in your core modules. This in-depth knowledge of the education sector, combined with your specialist knowledge of Drama, gives you that all-important edge when you embark on your career.

Making is at the heart of the Drama work you undertake. You’ll work regularly on projects as part of a theatre ensemble and develop skills in areas such as performing, directing, playwriting, musical theatre, production and media, performance-making and applied theatre. Throughout your studies, emphasis is placed on collaboration, industry input, and creating work for a variety of audiences

Course structure

Year one
The first year introduces you to the knowledge and understanding that underpins education studies and drama. You’ll be given an introduction to secondary schools via a school placement in Semester One. The curriculum will allow you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions, and interrogate evidence and data.

In your Drama modules, you’ll work with other students as part of a theatre ensemble, develop foundational skills in acting and directing, and build critical skills in performance analysis.

Year two
You’ll consider more deeply the current debates around inclusion, diversity and social justice in education, as well as practical considerations related to classroom organisation, assessment and the learning environment. You’ll undertake a second school placement, this time with a focus on developing your professionali identity.

In Drama, you’ll explore topics such as performance-making, applied theatre, playwriting, acting, directing, musical theatre and theatre production, with opportunities to work with your fellow students, specialist staff, and visiting professionals and artists.

Year three
You’ll identify questions about education that you'd like to explore, develop your proposal, and conduct an independent piece of research in your area of interest. You'll also have opportunities to engage with PGCE staff and students to ease your transition to initial teacher training – if this is your desired next step.

In your final year Drama modules, real-world application of your skills becomes the focus of your study. You’ll have the flexibility to choose optional modules that are of particular interest to you in areas such as Shakespeare, Staging a Play, Writing and Directing for Performance, and Musical Theatre.

How will I be assessed?

For the Drama component, assessment tasks include:

  • Public performance
  • Playwriting
  • In-class performance of devised or published work
  • Oral presentations
  • Performance of backstage/technical roles
  • Critical reflection
  • Working as part of an ensemble
  • Script analysis
  • Devising
  • Individual and group research projects.

For the Education component, assessment includes: 

  • Essays
  • Group presentations
  • Research-based reports
  • Portfolio-based work
  • Multimedia communications
  • Designing educational resources.

We’ll provide you with prompt feedback and give you regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding.

How will I be taught?

All modules are led by experienced University staff. You’ll get to grips with your subject through a range of activities including lectures, workshops, group seminars and one-to-one tutorials, practical classes, rehearsals, work placements and theatre visits.

You’ll also benefit from regular visiting speakers. These include theatre professionals, playwrights, performers, directors, educational advisers, specialist researchers and international practitioners.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Opportunities

Schools and placements

Placement modules prepare you for the world of work and teaching. We have an extensive network of partners across local, regional and national organisations, and can help you make the most of the opportunity to work with them.

Through these placements, you’ll develop problem solving skills, leadership qualities and strong communication methods to better prepare you for a related career.

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Careers

This course is designed to prepare you for a range of education careers – from classroom teaching to advisory roles that inform policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.

Successful completion of the Secondary Education degree leads to a guaranteed interview for our Oftsted 'Outstanding' rated PGCE Secondary course.

Our students often enter the teaching profession in local schools and a range of other settings and benefit from continued participation in the community of research and practice here at Bath Spa.

This course also equips you with creative, collaborative, writing, presentational and communication skills that are useful in many professional and vocational areas.

Some graduates choose to pursue postgraduate study, especially in teaching, or vocational training. Recent Drama graduates have gone on to study Master's degrees at Central School of Speech and Drama, Yale Theatre School and the Royal Academy of Music.

Other graduates launch careers in the creative industries, including working with theatre and media companies. Some of our Drama graduates are now:

  • Founder of an award-winning theatre company
  • Executive Director of a theatre school
  • Principal of an Academy of Performing Arts
  • Dramatherapist and Tutor.
Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

Your modules, teaching and rehearsal facilities are based at Newton Park campus. You'll also undertake placements in schools in each year of your studies.

You'll benefit from access to a wide range of excellent facilities, including:

You'll have access to the PGCE team, particularly in your final year if you wish to transition to initial teacher training, and you'll also benefit from talks by guest speakers and incoming experts. Access to our research centres will give you the opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest in teaching research and excellence.

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
International full time £16,675

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We’re looking for individuals who are curious, reflective and interested in their subject areas. You’ll be motivated, committed and keen to push the boundaries of your knowledge and get the best possible preparation for your future career.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below. All applicants will also be required to hold a grade 4 or equivalent in GCSE English, Maths and Science.

  • A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
  • International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher).

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Course leader, Education Secondary: Eleanor West
Email: e.west@bathspa.ac.uk
Course leader, Drama: Roy Connolly
Email: r.connolly@bathspa.ac.uk 

Three year course

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