BA ENGLISH LITERATURE AND DRAMA
BA ENGLISH LITERATURE AND DRAMA
On this degree you’ll immerse yourself in all aspects of the theatre while gaining a first-class academic grounding in English literature. This will give you a deep understanding of the relationships between the practices of writing in all major genres – prose, poetry, and drama – and the practices of dramatic production, acting, and contemporary theatre. Your practical skills in the theatre and your deep understanding of literature will support and enrich one another.
You’ll develop your skills in practical stagecraft through our intensive drama training and with the resources of UEA’s Drama Studio on hand for you to use and enjoy. You’ll also encounter literature from across centuries and across genres, ranging from established classics to new work being written today. With its vivid dramatic and literary traditions and lively contemporary scene, Norwich is the perfect city in which to be a student of drama and literature.
About
This course combines modules in English literature with practical and theoretical drama modules. You’ll largely have flexibility to decide the precise balance between literature and drama in your course. You may, for example, choose to study a wide range of genres, including the novel and poetry, or gradually to specialize in dramatic literature and performance.
You will have access to the same range of literature modules as our full-time English literature students. That means you’ll be able to delve into periods from the medieval to the present day, explore diverse traditions from across the globe, and tackle a heady mix of genres, which currently range from the gothic to children’s literature, crime writing to Latin American fiction, nonsense writing to biography. It’s worth reading the detailed account of our BA English Literature degree to get a sense of the possibilities on offer.
In your practical drama modules you will work alongside full-time drama students in our professionally equipped 200-seat Drama Studio. You’ll have the keys to this amazing space, letting you control everything in your own productions, from performance and staging to costume, lighting, and sound-design. You’ll have the chance to bring all your performance skills together in major practical projects each year.
Studying literature will deepen your practical work in the theatre. 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. At the same time, your study of literature will be enriched by your performance work – you’ll understand how plays work from the inside. The two elements of your degree are always deepening and enhancing one another.
You’ll also benefit from our highly regarded student-run Minotaur Theatre Company, which gives you the chance to gain valuable additional 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 will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad for one semester of your second year. Studying abroad is a wonderfully enriching life experience – you will develop confidence and adaptability, and will have the chance to deepen your understanding of literature and drama while learning about another culture.
At UEA, you will also be surrounded throughout your degree 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 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 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 and politics, charities and 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 and literature 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 Literature and Drama modules do not have written exams. The technical theatre 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 develop renewed enthusiasm for writing academic essays, and express your thinking in a diverse variety of forms, like reviews or personal reflective writing.
Feedback
You're given constant feedback on your practical work, helping you to deepen your craft as a performer. To prepare for coursework, you'll receive feedback on pieces of 'formative' work from your tutors, e.g. in one-to-one tutorials. Feedback on assessed work will be returned within 20 working days (after it has been carefully marked and moderated). As your first year does not count toward your overall degree result it's the perfect moment to experiment and take risks.
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, technical theatre, or your collaborative work with an external organisation. You'll also continue to submit coursework for all your literature modules, taking your essay writing to new heights (in projects of around 2500 words) and becoming increasingly daring in your work. While essay writing remains the cornerstone of your degree, you might also submit podcasts or videos or exhibition plans, or experiment with 'creative criticism', for instance by writing a short story to show off what you've learnt about that form.
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, from both your literature and drama tutors.
Assessment for Year 3
Assessment
If you choose the Drama Production module, your rehearsal and technical work 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. If you choose a Drama Project, that will also be assessed and externally moderated. On the literature side, you'll continue to submit 100% written coursework, perfecting the craft of essay writing in more substantial and independently-conceived projects (3500-5000 words). You might also find yourself submitting reflective writing about your performances, scripts, or pieces of creative-critical writing, where you fuse critical with imaginative writing (e.g. assessments in the Drama and Literature module have, in the past, asked you to adapt a non-dramatic text into script to explore the unique nature of theatre as a medium).
Feedback
As well as constant advice on your practical work as it develops, you'll receive full written feedback on your work in either the Drama Production or Drama Project modules. Written work in your third year continues to be supported by feedback on formative writing. All the feedback you've received on the literature side enables you to graduate with highly developed skills in writing and argument which are hugely valued by employers.
Assessment for Year 1
Assessment
Our BA Literature and Drama modules do not have written exams. The technical theatre 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 develop renewed enthusiasm for writing academic essays, and express your thinking in a diverse variety of forms, like reviews or personal reflective writing.
Feedback
You're given constant feedback on your practical work, helping you to deepen your craft as a performer. To prepare for coursework, you'll receive feedback on pieces of 'formative' work from your tutors, e.g. in one-to-one tutorials. Feedback on assessed work will be returned within 20 working days (after it has been carefully marked and moderated). As your first year does not count toward your overall degree result it's the perfect moment to experiment and take risks.
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.In their 2nd Year, students must take 40-60 credits from module starting LDCD and 40-60 credits from modules starting LDCL. Students should consult with the Study Abroad Coordinator before choosing Semester Abroad Modules. Students who select either of the Creative Industries Research Internship modules (LDCD5014A/LDCD5015B) must select one of the Creative Industries Research Projects modules (LDCD5019A/LDCD5020B).
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, technical theatre, or your collaborative work with an external organisation. You'll also continue to submit coursework for all your literature modules, taking your essay writing to new heights (in projects of around 2500 words) and becoming increasingly daring in your work. While essay writing remains the cornerstone of your degree, you might also submit podcasts or videos or exhibition plans, or experiment with 'creative criticism', for instance by writing a short story to show off what you've learnt about that form.
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, from both your literature and drama tutors.
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.In their 3rd Year of study, students must take 30-60 credits from modules starting LDCD and 30-60 credits from modules starting LDCL.Modules in this range are core, which means they have to be passed and are not eligible for compensation.
Assessment for Year 3
Assessment
If you choose the Drama Production module, your rehearsal and technical work 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. If you choose a Drama Project, that will also be assessed and externally moderated. On the literature side, you'll continue to submit 100% written coursework, perfecting the craft of essay writing in more substantial and independently-conceived projects (3500-5000 words). You might also find yourself submitting reflective writing about your performances, scripts, or pieces of creative-critical writing, where you fuse critical with imaginative writing (e.g. assessments in the Drama and Literature module have, in the past, asked you to adapt a non-dramatic text into script to explore the unique nature of theatre as a medium).
Feedback
As well as constant advice on your practical work as it develops, you'll receive full written feedback on your work in either the Drama Production or Drama Project modules. Written work in your third year continues to be supported by feedback on formative writing. All the feedback you've received on the literature side enables you to graduate with highly developed skills in writing and argument which are hugely valued by employers.
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 or ABC including an English Literature or BBC including 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) alongside a grade B in English Literature. BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services or Business Administration not acceptedScottish highers
AABBB including English LiteratureScottish highers advanced
CCC including English LiteratureIrish leaving certificate
2 subjects at H2 and 4 subjects at H3 including English LiteratureAccess course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3 including 12 credits in English Literature or Theatre Studies at MeritEuropean Baccalaureate
70% overall including 7 in English LiteratureInternational Baccalaureate
31 points including Higher Level 5 in EnglishGCSE 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), 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
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
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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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:
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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