Theatre BA (Hons)
Train to be a theatre professional on our BA (Hons) Theatre degree course. Learn to make, perform in, and write about theatre, and gain the skills you need to succeed in any career.
Key information
UCAS code:
W400
Typical offer:
104-112 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
This is a new course and we're finalising the detailed information for this page.
Overview
Do you love theatre? Do you want to learn how to make it, perform in it, and write about it? Then our BA (Hons) Theatre degree is the course for you.
Collaborate with other students to deliver performance projects, ranging from mainstream popular practices to experimental, small-scale fringe work. Your learning of theatre-making and performance is grounded in research, so your creative practice is both entertaining and meaningful.
During each year, you’ll have a balanced mix of practical and theoretical scholarly work. In the first year, you’ll work together on the fundamentals of theatre practice, including voice, movement, acting, and devising. In the second year, you’ll specialise in drama, musical theatre, or production. And in your final year, you’ll work with other students to refine your specialisation, culminating in a major academic project. Stage public performances of many theatre forms at different locations—be it our White Swan studios, Portsmouth’s 700-seat Victorian New Theatre Royal mainstage, local schools, heritage sites, or even the beach.
On this course, you'll have chances to work in various theatre industry positions besides acting and dramaturgy. These can include teaching, activism, marketing management, publishing, and customer service roles.
At Portsmouth, studying Theatre empowers you to build your own career as a freelance theatre practitioner or in related careers—driven by the fervour of those who love the performing arts.
Why study Theatre at Portsmouth?
- Learn from experienced professionals and researchers and collaborate with your peers to create innovative and thought-provoking work
- Gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of theatre practice, including voice, movement, acting, and devising
- Devise your performances in our flagship White Swan Studios and Portsmouth's Victorian theatre, New Theatre Royal
- Develop your critical thinking and analytical skills through theoretical modules
- Specialise in drama, musical theatre, or production in your second year
- Work on a major project in your third year that will showcase your skills and knowledge in your chosen specialisation
- Have the opportunity to perform your work in a public setting
- Develop the skills you need to succeed in a range of careers in the theatre industry
Pathway degrees
You can shape your pathway and specialise in your preferred area on this BA (Hons) Theatre course. Your graduation will be BA (Hons) Theatre or the following awards, depending on the modules you choose in your second and third years.
Theatre: Drama
A pathway for theatre creatives first: actors, directors, and choreographers. Work on projects for stage and screen, as well as in freelance fields, including virtual reality, immersive experiences, and simulation exercises. Acquire movement and voice skills, act in contemporary and classical styles, and perform in non-theatrical settings, such as corporate training scenarios. Learn how to take direction and to be self-directed performers who can make their own original work.
Theatre: Musical Theatre
Immerse yourself in musical theatre practice: create new musicals, direct and choreograph full productions, and produce a professional industry showreel. Gain skills in movement, dance, and choreography; voice, acting and musical performance; and devising and theatre making. Delve into musical theatre’s importance in popular culture and society, and gain vital transferable skills for your career.
Theatre: Production
Make shows happen off stage. Focus on designing lighting, video projection, sound, stage management, set design, and more. Engage with emerging technologies such as virtual reality and extended reality, as well as film and television, and sound recording. You’ll also be able to collaborate with design students from other courses on interdisciplinary projects.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
BA (Hons) Theatre
Typical offers
- A levels - BBC-BCC
- UCAS points - 104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission. (Calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
View full entry requirements and accepted qualifications
Selection process
All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Facilities
Modules
This is a new course and we're finalising the detailed information for this page.
What you'll study
There are no optional modules in the first year of this BA (Hons) Theatre degree course.
Each module is 20 credits.
Core modules
- Devised Project – 20 credits
- Making Theatre – 20 credits
- Movement for Performance (Drama and Performance) – 20 credits
- Performance – Criticism and Analysis – 20 credits
- Performance and Society – 20 credits
- Voice and the Actor – 20 credits
Core modules
- Critical Contexts – 20 credits
- Performance Histories – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Advanced Scene Study (Drama and Performance) – 20 credits
- Advanced Scene Study (Musical Theatre) – 20 credits
- Art, Design, and Performance Study Exchange – 60 credits
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
- Musical Theatre Laboratory – 20 credits
- Musical Theatre Skills – 20 credits
- Playwriting and Text for Performance – 20 credits
- Political Performance – 20 credits
- Theatre Skills – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
Core modules
- Alternative Theatres – 20 credits
- Applied Theatre for Young Audiences – 20 credits
- Forming a Company – 20 credits
- Major Academic Project – 20 credits
- Theatre Studies and Industries – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Applied Theatre: Workshop Skills – 20 credits
- Musical Theatre: Special Topic – 20 credits
Between your second and third years, or after your third year, you can study abroad, or do a paid or self-employed work placement. Your academic journey and CV will be enriched by either exploring another culture or applying your skills to a professional context.
You'll have to take one of these optional modules to complete your sandwich year.
- CCI Work Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Self-Employed Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Placement Plus – Full Year (40 credits)
- Art, Design, and Performance Study Abroad – Full Year (120 credits)
- Art, Design, and Performance Study Abroad – Half Year (60 credits)
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £18,100 a year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additonal course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
This is a new course and we're finalising the detailed information for this page.
How to apply
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – W400
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.