BA Theatre and Performing (Placement Year)
About this course
BA Hons in Theatre and Performing (Placement Year), a drama degree centred on theatrical performance, production, and critical engagement with the arts. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Design & Creative Practice. Students undertake a professional work placement year during their studies. The first year introduces the fundamentals through Making Theatre 1: Acting, Directing and Collaborating, Living Theory, Raw Materials of Performance, and Accessibility and Inclusion in Creative Industries, alongside optional choices such as Art Histories and Contexts. The second year advances practical making and societal engagement via Making Theatre 2: Beyond the Stage, Sustainable Practice, and Theatre and Society 2, with options including Playwriting and Short Film Production. The third year consists of a dedicated work placement module. The final year culminates in major independent study through Theatre Independent Project and Making Theatre 3: Advanced Performance Project, complemented by optional modules such as Documentary Production 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 14 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 94%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 66%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
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%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 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, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
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)
- Work Based Learning Year
- 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 (Placement Year) 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 (Placement Year) 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 (Placement Year) 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 (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 147 UCAS points.
Does BA Theatre and Performing (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BA Theatre and Performing (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.