Theatre and Performance
Birkbeck, University of London
UCAS Code: NP31 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma in humanities units.
UCAS Tariff
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About this course
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Do you have a passion for live performance and theatre practice? The BA Theatre and Performance at Birkbeck puts you at the heart of central London’s vibrant cultural scene. You will develop your knowledge through a range of practices and ideas studying theatre:
- as live event
- as dramatic text
- in its historical contexts.
Your in-depth exploration of theatre histories and theories will inform the performances you create as an individual artist and in the context of a company. You will discover techniques and practices of storytelling, collaborative theatre-making, documentary, community-based theatre, adaptation, digital theatre and site-specific performance. For your final project, you can choose to write either a full-length dissertation or originate a performance work.
Throughout your degree, you will visit the world’s most exciting theatre institutions, and analyse both live and digital performances. You can choose to study options across the arts, creative writing, culture, literature, languages and arts management. Your own creative work will ask vital questions about the world.
BA Theatre and Performance at Birkbeck does not offer actor training, but gives you access to knowledge and theatre-making practices with world-leading academics and artists.
If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
**Highlights**
- Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery, the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space.
- Based at the heart of one of the world's most exciting cities, we combine lectures, seminars and workshops with visits to theatres and other cultural and artistic institutions, and we frequently collaborate with leading arts, cultural, theatre and dance and performing arts organisations, allowing you to ground your studies in real-world practice. You will be able to attend events and seminars hosted by the Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre, enabling you to hear about and experience the latest research and practice from leading scholars and practitioners in the field.
**Careers and employability**
Graduates can pursue career paths in education, theatre or the media and creative arts. Possible professions include:
- journalist
- arts administrator
- charity officer
- theatre director
- higher education lecturer.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods include research essays, research exercises, performance presentations, creative projects, critical reflections on practical work, group vivas and individual vivas.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Birkbeck, University of London
School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication
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