Bachelor of Arts Performing Arts

As you progress through your degree you will explore a wide variety of modules that examine the Performing Arts industry as a whole. You will cover performance techniques whilst developing management skills. You will learn how to control performance technology systems as well as working practically in examining elements of design. You will learn how to discuss and articulate theoretical concepts relating to a whole range of performance styles and at the same time devise your own performance work to demonstrate your combined skillset.

Performance Techniques

A major part of the Performing Arts degree is the exploration of those skills most associated with performing on stage. With that in mind, your Performance Techniques modules run across all three years and focus on acting, singing and dancing. You'll explore a variety of acting, dancing and singing techniques and styles and engage in performance making across all three disciplines. You will engage with practical methodologies and rehearsal techniques whilst developing a greater vocal and physical performance awareness, flexibility, and versatility in your performance method and style. You will learn how to enhance your communication with fellow performers and an audience alike, and you'll explore different ways to approach spaces and to present performance.

Mastering all three performance areas is no mean feat and so you can focus your final assessments on your strongest two. You will always have the opportunity to explore performance making and presentation across the three main disciplines but won’t be hamstrung if one of these doesn’t develop as fully as the others.

Stagecraft and Theatre Design

You'll learn about design concepts relating to the various production areas that come together to create a theatrical mise en scène.

You'll gain a broad understanding of the ways in which the practical elements relating to costume, prop, lighting, sound and staging, communicate with one another on a functional level and how practitioners working in these areas collaborate with respect to a final performance product.

Stage Management

You will explore the very specific roles relating to managing performance for large-scale events together with examples of how those roles conflate to a more all-encompassing single management role for small performance companies. You'll have the opportunity to explore these various functions of performance organisation and you'll develop practical skills by facilitating various performances throughout the academic year. You'll also work on student-devised projects where you'll perform different roles within stage management teams.

Digital Performance Environments

You’ll explore how current technologies are helping to shape contemporary performance practice. Using specialist software you will develop interactive performance and installation designs and analyse the ways in which digital tools can be used to develop immersive performance and installation spaces.

Theatre and Our Society

Theatre can be a powerful tool in the way that we shape our communities, educate our children and speak out about social issues. You’ll explore the ways and the means that theatre makers use to engage an audience for a variety of purposes.

Performance, Lighting and Sound

Understanding the equipment and the techniques that make our performance experience look and sound fantastic is an important part of understanding the performance and production process. You’ll have the opportunity to work with lighting rigs, sounds systems and digital visualisation tools to help bring your performance vision to life.

The University has general minimum entry requirements which all students must meet before they register with us.

At the point of registration onto the first year of a degree, we require you to have achieved:

• a minimum of two A Levels or
• a BTEC National Diploma or
• a combination of BTEC and A Level qualifications equivalent to two A Levels, such as a BTEC subsidiary certificate and one A Level or
• an Access to Higher Education Diploma or
• an International or Welsh Baccalaureate or
• a Higher National Diploma/Higher National Certificate or
• a minimum of two Advanced Highers from Scotland or
• the Irish Leaving Certificate or
• the European Baccalaureate Diploma or
• an equivalent overseas qualification.