Course Overview

On this English and Drama 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 careful 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 English literature and drama. 

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 Japanese fiction, apocalyptic 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 English 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 English and drama degree are always deepening and enhancing one another. 

You’ll be taught by our leading drama practitioners, literary critics and scholars in both disciplines. In the most recent Times Higher Education Analysis (REF2021), UEA was ranked 19th in the UK for the quality of its research in English Language and Literature, and your tutors on this degree will use that cutting-edge research to inspire you. 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. Find out more about life in the School of Literature, Drama, and Creative Writing on our Instagram @uealdc.

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. 

Employability

After the Course

Some BA English Literature and Drama degree graduates go into careers in theatre, film, or radio, as writers, developers, agents, casting directors, or artistic directors of their own companies. Recent graduates from our drama degrees include the actor Matt Smith (famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who and his leading roles in The Crown and House of the Dragon) 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. 

Careers

A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.

Examples of careers you could enter include: 

Theatre and film 
Journalism 
Media 
Teaching 
Finance 
Publishing

Discover more on our Careers webpages.

Entry Requirements

A Levels

ABB including English Literature or one of the subjects listed below: Drama, Theatre Studies, English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology, Law. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer, if you achieve an A in the EPQ.

T Levels

Not accepted

BTEC

DDM in an Arts/Humanities subject (usually Performing Arts) alongside A-level grade B in English Literature, or one of the subjects listed below: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law. Excludes BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration See below for accepted subjects and combinations

Contextual Offer

BBC including English Literature or one of the subjects listed below: Drama, Theatre Studies, English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology, Law.

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.

Scottish Highers

AAABB including A in English Literature, or one of the subjects listed below: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law

Scottish Advanced Highers

BCC including C in English Literature, or one of the subjects listed below: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable

Irish Leaving Certificate

3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3 including English Literature, or one of the subjects listed below: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law

Access to HE Diploma

Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway accepted. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3.

International Baccalaureate

IB 32 including HL 5 in English, History, Global Politics, Film, Theatre, Visual Arts or Psychology.

GCSE

You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.

English 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): 

IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

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: 

Interviews

Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time. 

Deferred Entry

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 is in September each year. 

Additional Information or Requirements

BTEC Combinations

Extended Diploma: DDM in an Arts/Humanities subject (usually Performing Arts) plus B at A-Level English Literature or one of the subjects listed: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

Diploma: DD in an Arts/Humanities subject (usually Performing Arts) plus B at A-Level English Literature or one of the subjects listed: English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

Extended Certificate: D in an Arts/Humanities subject (usually Performing Arts) plus BB at A-Level to include one of the subjects listed: English Literature, English Language and Literature, English Language, History, Ancient History, History of Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Politics, Government and Politics, Sociology, Drama, Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Psychology or Law.

Not all BTEC routes are accepted.

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/ba-english-literature-with-a-foundation-year

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.

We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.

International Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.

INTO University of East Anglia

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers 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)

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Book a visit to discover more

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

View our information for Tuition Fees.

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. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.

Course Related Costs

Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs. 

How to Apply

Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub. 

UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.

Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started. 

Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.

The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.

View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:

How to apply through UCAS

BA (Hons) English Literature and Drama

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