BA Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising) with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising) with Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate degree centred on drama, acting, and performance practices. Core topics include Research Methods, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Social & Cultural Analysis. The course includes a compulsory foundation year and incorporates a professional placement. The first year introduces foundational concepts through Drama/Theatre/Performance, Drama Workshop, Performing Texts, Preparation for Performance, Socially Engaged Theatre, and The Actor’s Instrument. The second year focuses on character and storytelling via Acting as Storytelling, Voice and Movement for Performance, Theatre Histories, Directed Project, Creating Character, and Performing Character. The third year explores specialized performance styles and community contexts through Performing Heightened Text, Socialising Performance, Working with Communities, Immersive and Site-Specific Performance, Creative Enterprise, and Outreach Project. The final year involves independent work, company creation, and career preparation through Professional Practice Placement, Autonomous Project, Enterprise and Professional Development (incl. LLCM), Company Project, and Acting and Directing for Performance.
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
80 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications. These can include: A Levels at grades B and B (if you have two A levels) or grades C, D and D (if you have three), or above BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass Access to HE Diploma T Levels You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 - 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents
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What students say
Based on about 29 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 96%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 64%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 270 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 50%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Drama/Theatre/Performance
- Drama Workshop
- Performing Texts
- Preparation for Performance
- Socially Engaged Theatre
- The Actor’s Instrument
- Acting as Storytelling
- Voice and Movement for Performance
- Theatre Histories
- Directed Project
- Creating Character
- Performing Character
- Performing Heightened Text
- Socialising Performance
- Working with Communities
- Immersive and Site-Specific Performance
- Creative Enterprise
- Outreach Project
- Professional Practice Placement
- Autonomous Project
- Enterprise and Professional Development (incl. LLCM)
- Company Project
- Acting and Directing for Performance
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising) with Foundation Year at University of West London earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,500 and £32,500. The £25,500 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Drama.
What do graduates of BA Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising) with Foundation Year at University of West London do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising) with Foundation Year at University of West London?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising) with Foundation Year at University of West London?
The typical offer is BB at A level. The average entrant had 129 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Applied Acting and Devising) with Foundation Year at University of West London?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.