BA Theatre and Performing
About this course
BA Hons in Theatre and Performing, a drama degree centred on contemporary theatre practice, performance-making, and critical evaluation. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Design & Creative Practice. The course incorporates practical work in professional venues on campus such as the Nuffield Theatre, alongside community-based projects in the local region. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules including Making Theatre 1: Acting, Directing and Collaborating, Living Theory, Raw Materials of Performance, and Accessibility and Inclusion in Creative Industries, with options such as Art Histories and Contexts and Re-Making Tradition. Moving into the second year, students build advanced performance and contextual skills via compulsory modules like Making Theatre 2: Beyond the Stage, Sustainable Practice, and Theatre and Society 2, while choosing from optional modules including Playwriting, Screenwriting, and Short Film Production. The final year culminates in independent research and advanced practice through compulsory modules Theatre Independent Project and Making Theatre 3: Advanced Performance Project. Optional study in the final year covers subjects such as Documentary Production, Festival of the Future, and Live Performance Criticism.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBB . Theatre, Drama, Dance or Performing Arts are considered desirable subjects, but we would also welcome an application from you if you can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application. IB: 30 overall with 15 points from the best 3 HL subjects. Theatre, Drama or Performance are considered desirable subjects, but we would also welcome an application from you if you can demonstrate experience and interest in practical theatre in your application.
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What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 82%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 6%
- North West: 41%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 12%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 17%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 4%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Making Theatre 1: Acting, Directing and Collaborating
- Living Theory
- Raw Materials of Performance
- Accessibility and Inclusion in Creative Industries
- Art Histories and Contexts
- Re-Making Tradition
- British Cinema
- World Literatures
- Making Theatre 2: Beyond the Stage
- Sustainable Practice
- Theatre and Society 2
- Art Theories and Contexts
- Playwriting
- Screenwriting
- Postcolonial Literature
- Writing Fiction
- Short Film Production
- American Literature
- Taking an Idea and Making it Happen (Discovery module)
- Employability, Purpose and Social Impact (Discovery module)
- Theatre Independent Project
- Making Theatre 3: Advanced Performance Project
- Documentary Production
- Literature and Environment
- Confronting the Climate Crisis (Discovery module)
- Artistic Fusions (Discovery module)
- Festival of the Future
- Film Industries, Practices and Movements
- Film Circulation, Exhibition and Audiences
- Gothic and Science Fiction
- Shakespeare
- Live Performance Criticism
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Theatre and Performing at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £21,500 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £32,500. The £27,000 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Drama.
What do graduates of BA Theatre and Performing at Lancaster University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Theatre and Performing at Lancaster University?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Theatre and Performing at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 147 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Theatre and Performing at Lancaster University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.