BA DRAMA
BA DRAMA
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.
About
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 Artaud, from Stanislavsky to physical theatre. You’ll examine the use of theatre and performance – by the State, by oppositional groups, 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 a major practical project, 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.

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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.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

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After the Course
Some of our drama graduates go into careers in drama, film, or radio. Recent graduates from our drama degrees include the actor Matt Smith (famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who and his leading role in Netflix's The Crown) and the presenter of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Greg James. For others, the degree is a stepping-stone towards careers in the arts, media, publishing, politics, charities, NGOs, teaching, and the commercial sector. Our Careers Service is here to support you in launching your career by advising with CV writing, internships, and much more. Every year we run an event, ‘Working with Words’, which gives current students the chance to meet and hear from successful UEA alumni from across the creative industries. UEA also has its own in-house student publishing project, Egg Box, along with many other exciting initiatives that give you opportunities to turn your love of drama into a foundation for your future career.
Career destinations
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

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Assessment for Year 1
Assessment
Our BA Drama modules do not have written exams. The technical skills you're developing will be assessed through tasks such as making a 3D model of a set, designing a costume, or placing mics on a soundstage. Your performance work will be graded, and so will the rehearsals for your end-of-year production, capturing your development in the round. You'll also write analytical essays or pieces where you reflect on your own practice in the theatre. You only need to pass your first year and your marks do not form part of your final degree, which makes it the perfect opportunity to take risks and develop as a performer and thinker.
Feedback
You're given constant feedback on your practical work, helping you to deepen your craft as a performer. When it comes to written work, you'll often submit 'formative' work which leads towards your final submission and on which you receive feedback. You'll be supported by an academic adviser, who oversees your whole journey as a Drama student at UEA.
Assessment for Year 2
Assessment
You'll continue to be assessed on your practical work in all its forms, whether that's acting, directing, filmmaking, or technical theatre. Your writing will be assessed, too, but this year you might also submit creative writing inspired by one of our celebrated scriptwriting workshops. In the Drama Outreach module, the entire process through which you devise your piece in collaboration with a real-world client will form part of your final mark, and you'll write an essay which reflects on that process and evaluates your project's success.
Feedback
Your practical work is constantly enriched by your drama tutors' feedback during rehearsals, and you'll continue to receive advice on 'formative' writing, too. In a scriptwriting workshop, you'll benefit from the constructive critique of your workshop's leader (a published, practising writer), and of your peers. Your collaborative work with a client in the Drama Outreach module will be informed by the regular advice of your drama tutors, and you'll receive feedback from the client at the end.
Assessment for Year 3
Assessment
Your rehearsal and technical work throughout the Drama Production module will be continuously assessed by the drama tutor who's leading the whole project, and your final performance will be marked and that mark moderated by an external examiner. Your Drama Project will also be assessed and externally moderated to ensure robust fairness and transparency. In the third year, you might find yourself writing reflections on your performances, academic essays, scripts, or pieces of creative-critical writing, where you fuse critical and imaginative writing.
Feedback
As well as constant advice on your practical work as it develops, you'll receive full written feedback on your work in both the Drama Production and Drama Project modules. Written work in your third year - which may also include a choice between research-led seminars or a full-length dissertation in either a creative or a critical mode - continues to be supported by feedback on formative writing.
Assessment for Year 1
Assessment
Our BA Drama modules do not have written exams. The technical skills you're developing will be assessed through tasks such as making a 3D model of a set, designing a costume, or placing mics on a soundstage. Your performance work will be graded, and so will the rehearsals for your end-of-year production, capturing your development in the round. You'll also write analytical essays or pieces where you reflect on your own practice in the theatre. You only need to pass your first year and your marks do not form part of your final degree, which makes it the perfect opportunity to take risks and develop as a performer and thinker.
Feedback
You're given constant feedback on your practical work, helping you to deepen your craft as a performer. When it comes to written work, you'll often submit 'formative' work which leads towards your final submission and on which you receive feedback. You'll be supported by an academic adviser, who oversees your whole journey as a Drama student at UEA.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Modules in this range are core, which means they have to be passed and are not eligible for compensation.
Assessment for Year 2
Assessment
You'll continue to be assessed on your practical work in all its forms, whether that's acting, directing, filmmaking, or technical theatre. Your writing will be assessed, too, but this year you might also submit creative writing inspired by one of our celebrated scriptwriting workshops. In the Drama Outreach module, the entire process through which you devise your piece in collaboration with a real-world client will form part of your final mark, and you'll write an essay which reflects on that process and evaluates your project's success.
Feedback
Your practical work is constantly enriched by your drama tutors' feedback during rehearsals, and you'll continue to receive advice on 'formative' writing, too. In a scriptwriting workshop, you'll benefit from the constructive critique of your workshop's leader (a published, practising writer), and of your peers. Your collaborative work with a client in the Drama Outreach module will be informed by the regular advice of your drama tutors, and you'll receive feedback from the client at the end.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Modules in this range are core, which means they have to be passed and are not eligible for compensation.
Assessment for Year 3
Assessment
Your rehearsal and technical work throughout the Drama Production module will be continuously assessed by the drama tutor who's leading the whole project, and your final performance will be marked and that mark moderated by an external examiner. Your Drama Project will also be assessed and externally moderated to ensure robust fairness and transparency. In the third year, you might find yourself writing reflections on your performances, academic essays, scripts, or pieces of creative-critical writing, where you fuse critical and imaginative writing.
Feedback
As well as constant advice on your practical work as it develops, you'll receive full written feedback on your work in both the Drama Production and Drama Project modules. Written work in your third year - which may also include a choice between research-led seminars or a full-length dissertation in either a creative or a critical mode - continues to be supported by feedback on formative writing.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
A Levels
BBB including Drama/Theatre Studies/English Literature or BBC including Drama/Theatre Studies/English Literature with an A in the Extended ProjectT Levels
No acceptable pathways for 2022 entry.BTEC
DDM in an Arts/Humanities subject (usually Performing Arts) accepted. Excludes BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services or Business AdministrationScottish highers
AABBB including Drama, Theatre Studies or English LiteratureScottish highers advanced
CCC including Drama, Theatre Studies or English LiteratureIrish leaving certificate
2 subjects at H2, 4 subjects at H3 including Drama, Theatre Studies or English LiteratureAccess course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3 including an English Literature or Theatre Studies at MeritEuropean Baccalaureate
70% overall including 7 in English Literature or Drama and Theatre studiesInternational Baccalaureate
31 points including HL 5 English or Theatre StudiesGCSE offer
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.Additional entry requirements
If you do not have an A-Level or equivalent qualification in English Literature (or English Language and Literature), Drama or Theatre Studies, 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.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BA English Literature with a Foundation Year
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic and or English requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO University of East Anglia offers guaranteed 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)
Alternative Entry Requirements
UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.
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.
Students for whom english is a foreign language
We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including speaking, listening, reading and writing) at the following level:
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IELTS: 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list.
INTO University of East Anglia
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:
Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA
English for University Study at INTO UEA
Gap year
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 for this course is in September each year.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
See our Tuition Fees page for further information.
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.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
View our information about Additional Course Fees.

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How to Apply
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The system allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it must be sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.

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