Drama Studies

An exciting introduction to the world of theatre and performance in its widest context.

Drama studies offers both single honours and combined study routes for students who wish to explore the diversity of drama as both a performance medium and as an applied subject.

As either a single honours student, or as part of a combined award, Drama studies provides a range of exciting modules to choose from that explore drama from the perspectives of text study, making performance and applied drama.

The Drama programme is not a vocational training course, but it will equip you with writing, presentational, communication and collaborative skills that are invaluable in many other professional and vocational areas.

Why study Drama Studies?

• To watch, think and write about Drama
• To make theatre and performance with others
• To prepare for careers where drama-based skills are in demand and for further studies in drama, including drama teaching

Ratio of applications to places

No. of applicants (2011): 373

No. of places (2011): 35 (additional places are available as part of a Combined Award)

National student survey results

Overall student Satisfaction with teaching for courses in this subject area (2011): 88%

Course structure

In the first year you’ll be introduced to textual analysis, theatre history and performance theory. You’ll examine ideas underlying dramatic texts, scenography and performance conventions. You’ll examine ideas that range from dramatic texts to scenography and performance conventions.

Year 1

You will explore the relationship between theatre and society through the ages. You will also study a range of influential approaches to stage performance. And you will attend and critique plays (single honour students). 

Year 2

You will study the work of key theatre directors and devising companies.
You may also lead workshops and apply drama in community settings. And you may choose from a range of optional modules, including musical theatre and physical theatre. 

Year 3

You will research and write a dissertation on a drama topic of your choice (single honour students).  And you may choose from a range of optional modules, including Experimental Performance and Staging Shakespeare.

Modules

Year 1 modules are:

• Introduction to Theatre History
• Introduction to Performance
• Contemporary Theatre in Performance

Course assessment

Assessment Methods include essays and dissertations. Practical work is assessed through a variety of presentations, performances, group work, and working evaluative logs.

You can choose from a wide range of offerings incorporating content ranging from theatre history to physical theatre and extending to encompass such areas as experimental theatre and site-specific performance.

The approach to teaching Drama Studies at Bath Spa combines academic study with practical workshop-based classes which bring theoretical ideas to life. Facilities include the purpose-built University Theatre building, which incorporates a fully equipped theatre and three studios. You’ll be taught by distinguished staff who are practising theatre and performance artists.

Teaching methods

Academic study combines with practical and workshop-based sessions that help bring theoretical ideas to life.

A purpose-built University Theatre (costing in the region of £4.8m) was completed in 2006.

Bath Spa Live, the production arm of the School of Music and Performing Arts, provides a lively milieu of performance on and off campus. There are also active links with Bath Theatre Royal, the Chapel Arts Centre and the Rondo Theatre Bath.

Application method

All full time applications are through UCAS.

Course enquiries

Please contact our Admissions team (see above)

Entry requirements

280–320 UCAS Tariff points including A-Level Drama, Performance Studies or Theatre Studies at min grade B.

Career opportunities

The Drama Studies programme will equip you with writing, presentational, communication, and collaborative skills that are invaluable in many other professional and vocational areas. Following graduation, some students choose to pursue their interests further into postgraduate study or vocational training. Others use the knowledge gained to launch careers working with theatre companies and in television, or go on to find employment in the media world:

• Arts and literary management
• The media
• Postgraduate study in acting
• Community drama

Since 2010, employers such as The National Theatre Company, Theatre Royal Bath, Bristol Old Vic and London Dungeons have recruited graduates from this course. Students have also moved into roles including Director, Actor, Production Assistant, Sales & Promotions Assistant and Freelance Theatre Director.

What students say...

Graduate Profile: Joanne Boniface, graduated 2009

"My time at Bath Spa has really helped me in my professional career. I now work as a freelance theatre director and run my own theatre company producing new writing and forgotten play texts. I work with a few people I met on my course at university and it has been invaluable to have a support network like that behind me.

Whilst at university I wanted to have a well-rounded degree and experience all sides of the theatre industry. My course really helped me to do that – not only was I performing, but I was also learning about the technical side, the academic and research sides and the history of everything to do with theatre.

The opportunities provided to me by the lecturing staff were second to none, both academically and extra curricula. I really feel like the course allowed me to make the best use of my time at university and left me with a wide knowledge of all aspects of the industry.”

Victoria Brown:

"I enjoy the course as it is highly academic, being taught through fact and theory alongside practical exploration. The course has opened my eyes to a range of genres, techniques and art forms happening all over the world."