BA (Hons) Drama
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- W400
- Entry Requirements
- ABB
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
Course Overview
Offering an exhilarating immersion in all aspects of theatre, this course combines a comprehensive grounding in acting, directing, and practical stagecraft with the thoughtful and inventive study of plays themselves. You’ll master dramatic traditions from across time periods and all around the world, and you'll draw on that knowledge to enrich your own experience in the theatre.
Throughout your degree, you'll be supported by UEA's unique combination of academic experts on theatre and performance, as well as practising theatre directors and world-leading scriptwriters. Once you graduate, your degree will open the doors of the theatre world to you – or you might choose to take all the skills you've learnt to any number of careers across the creative industries and beyond.
Our professionally equipped 200-seat Drama Studio will be at the centre of your Drama degree at UEA. You'll have the keys to this amazing space, giving you the chance to control everything in your own productions, from performance and staging to costume, lighting, and sound-design. You'll have similar opportunities to immerse yourself in practical stagecraft to those on offer in a Drama School.
But your Drama degree doesn't only offer a practical training ground.
At UEA, you’ll encounter an astonishing array of drama and a wealth of performance styles, from naturalism to Noh theatre. You’ll engage with major theoretical and directorial approaches, from Aristotle to Boal, from live art to physical theatre. You’ll examine the use of theatre and performance – by the State, by political activists and by theatre and performance practitioners – to solidify or challenge structures of power. You’ll also discover the cutting-edge theatre companies that are shaping contemporary performance today.
Everything you're learning will deepen your practical work in the theatre. Our drama seminars offer you unrivalled opportunities to master theoretical approaches to dramatic writing through your own practical performances. As you get inside the words of plays in the seminar room, you'll become better able to release their energies in your own performance. Each year, you will bring everything that you’ve learned together in practical projects, and will undertake a wide variety of applied drama work. You’ll also have the chance to study on placement with a professional company or venue (which may include TV, radio, and film, as well as theatre). This will build not only your experience and confidence, but also your contacts book.
You'll also benefit from our highly regarded student-run Minotaur Theatre Company, which gives you the chance to gain even more performance, technical, and scriptwriting experience. Find out more about life in the School of Literature, Drama, and Creative Writing on our Instagram @uealdc.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
You have the option to apply to study abroad for one semester of your second year. Study abroad is a wonderfully enriching life experience – you will develop confidence and adaptability, and will have the chance to deepen your understanding of drama while learning about another culture. At UEA, you will also be surrounded by the many students we welcome from around the world to study with us.
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- ABB including one of the following subjects: Drama, Theatre Studies, English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology, Law If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer, if you achieve an A in the EPQ.
- T Levels
- Not accepted
- BTEC
- DDM in an Arts/Humanities subject (usually Performing Arts). Excludes BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services or Business Administration
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB including one of the following subjects: Drama, Theatre Studies, English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology, Law
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BCC including one of the following subjects: Drama, Theatre Studies, English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology, Law
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3 including one of the following subjects: Drama, Theatre Studies, English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology, Law
- Access to HE Diploma
- Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 32 including HL 5 in one of the following subjects: Drama, Theatre Studies, English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology, Law
- GCSE
- You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Interviews
- If your application tells us that you’re capable and enlivened by your chosen course, we will invite you to an online audition with an academic. This is a chance to meet us, discuss the course, and perform a monologue from a play you love. You’ll be asked to prepare a monologue of your choice, which we’ll work on with you. We’ll also talk about your current studies, extra-curricular interests, and the theatre that excites you. If you receive an offer, you’ll be invited to an applicant day, when you can see the campus, meet current students, and take part in a performance workshop, giving you a taste of what it would be like to study Drama here at UEA.
- Deferred Entry
- We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
- This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
If you do not have an A-Level or equivalent qualification in one of the subjects listed above, once you have submitted your UCAS form we may then contact you to ask you to submit a short analysis of a passage of a literary text in support of your application.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year Programmes.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Business, Economics, Society and Culture (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
International Foundation in Humanities and Law (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
View our information about Additional Course Fees.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Our professionally equipped 200-seat Drama Studio will be at the centre of your Drama degree at UEA. You'll have the keys to this amazing space, giving you the chance to control everything in your own productions, from performance and staging to costume, lighting, and sound-design. You'll have similar opportunities to immerse yourself in practical stagecraft to those on offer in a Drama School.
But your Drama degree doesn't only offer a practical training ground.
At UEA, you’ll encounter an astonishing array of drama and a wealth of performance styles, from naturalism to Noh theatre. You’ll engage with major theoretical and directorial approaches, from Aristotle to Boal, from live art to physical theatre. You’ll examine the use of theatre and performance – by the State, by political activists and by theatre and performance practitioners – to solidify or challenge structures of power. You’ll also discover the cutting-edge theatre companies that are shaping contemporary performance today.
Everything you're learning will deepen your practical work in the theatre. Our drama seminars offer you unrivalled opportunities to master theoretical approaches to dramatic writing through your own practical performances. As you get inside the words of plays in the seminar room, you'll become better able to release their energies in your own performance. Each year, you will bring everything that you’ve learned together in practical projects, and will undertake a wide variety of applied drama work. You’ll also have the chance to study on placement with a professional company or venue (which may include TV, radio, and film, as well as theatre). This will build not only your experience and confidence, but also your contacts book.
You'll also benefit from our highly regarded student-run Minotaur Theatre Company, which gives you the chance to gain even more performance, technical, and scriptwriting experience. Find out more about life in the School of Literature, Drama, and Creative Writing on our Instagram @uealdc.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
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Theatre and film
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Journalism
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Media
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Teaching
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Finance
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Publishing