Theatre and Performance, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

Your first year will lay the foundations of the degree, with core modules introducing you to theories and approaches in theatre and performance and allowing you to explore them through different modes of practice. You'll develop your performance and devising skills and look at the relationship between text and performance.

In the following year you'll continue with your creative practice, devising performances and workshops for an external organisation such as a school, museum, hospital or prison. You'll also learn to apply different research methods and think about the political, historical, social and cultural contexts of performance practitioners. You'll choose from a range of optional modules to explore your interests, from dance to arts marketing or cultural history.

By your third year you'll have more independence in your practice and research, producing a self-directed independent project and choosing how you'll be assessed. You'll either take part in a collaborative, large-scale public performance or try your hand at an enterprise project. A core module will allow you to explore important issues in the contemporary arts and cultural sector, and you'll demonstrate your knowledge and skills with an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: AAA-ABB

  This should normally include at least 2 arts and humanities subjects e.g. Drama, English, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies, History. We don't accept General Studies.

  • Career opportunities

    A degree in Theatre and Performance equips you with valuable subject knowledge, cultural awareness and an understanding of the performance and cultural industries. It also gives you transferable skills that are very attractive to employers.

    As well as your understanding of performance and the theory behind it, you'll develop strong research and analytical skills. You'll be a confident communicator, who can present and defend your point of view clearly either verbally or in writing. You'll be able to collaborate with others or work independently.

    The cultural and creative industries offer a wide range of opportunities for graduates, such as writing, performing directing, production, events management, the media, arts administration, marketing, cultural policy, PR, community arts work and outreach, education and dramatherapy.

    However, you'll acquire the skills for professional roles outside of the sector such as finance, law and business. Many of our graduates progress to postgraduate study in related disciplines.

    Read more about Employability

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    Study abroad

    On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

    Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

    Work placements

    Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

    Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.