What you'll study
The world of theatre and performance is constantly evolving, shaped by new generations of artists. Step into the international spotlight and be part of this creative evolution by training as a performer and theatre-maker.
Develop your unique artistic voice and take charge of your career as you refine your skills and expand your knowledge as a performer, director, facilitator, teacher, and producer. You’ll also have the opportunity to spend part of your studies or training on a placement in the UK or abroad.
The teaching for this course takes place primarily at the Rose Bruford College campus in Sidcup.
Why choose this course?
Industry-led training
Work collaboratively in a range of teams to reinterpret existing texts and co-create original work. Gradually take on greater responsibility for the creative process as you deepen your understanding of different acting and performance methods - discovering what works best for you.
Expert training
Explore a wide range of international practices, closely tutored by an international team of experts. Investigate contemporary performance collaborating closely with visiting industry professionals
Practical hands-on experience
Gain valuable real-world experience with a UK or international organisation, enhancing your understanding of how performance techniques and methods emerge from specific artistic and cultural contexts.
Forward-thinking
Develop innovative ways of making and performing through studio-based experimentation and research. Challenge conventions and expand your creative practice by exploring new approaches to acting and performance.
Grow your network
Build a professional network of industry connections while you study and train.
Outstanding facilities
Train in world-class facilities designed to help you build the skills needed for a diverse range of career pathways — preparing you for lifelong learning, adaptability, and artistic growth.
Course breakdown
Year 1
Develop a strong foundation in a wide range of acting and performance techniques, methods, and skills. Contextualise your practice through a rigorous understanding of performance theory, supported by an exploration of ethically informed professional practice.
Modules:
- Plays in Performance
- The Performer as Theatre-maker
- Professional Practices
- Models of Practice and Theory
Year 2
Broaden and deepen your skills by examining acting practices in greater contextual detail. Take ownership of your learning by identifying and addressing your individual training needs. Undertake a placement with one of our partner organisations, either in the UK or internationally, and explore new approaches to directing text through creative experimentation.
Modules:
- Training Practices
- Staging Identity
- Crossing Borders
- Directing Through Research
Year 3
Engage in practice-based research through public collaborative productions and practical projects. Prepare for professional life by developing a portfolio that showcases your work and creating a personalised action plan for your future career.
Modules:
- Theatre Research: Alternative Dramaturgies
- Professional Preparation
- Practical Dissertation (option a)
- Written Dissertation (option b)
Teaching and assessment methods
Your work in each module is assessed against the learning themes and their expectations.
For every assessment, the grading criteria explain what you need to demonstrate to achieve each grade. These criteria are linked to the learning theme expectations for both the task and your level of study.
To view the learning themes, grading criteria and detailed information on assessment, please view the Programme Specification PDF.
The course uses two approaches for assessment: formative and summative. All assessment is focused on assessment for learning, helping you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and enabling you to maximise how you manage your learning. There is a strong focus on formative assessment, the purpose of which is to monitor your learning and provide ongoing feedback to you and your tutors as to your progress. Summative assessment is is an ‘end point’ form of assessment and takes the form of a grade or mark.
Assessment, both formative and summative, is undertaken through a combination of practical projects, performances, workshop demonstrations, essays, journals, portfolios, reflective writing, seminar papers, and videos.
Programme specification
Your future career
We aim to create graduates who are adaptable and rigorous performers, makers and practitioners, able to innovate in their own practice and shape their own career pathway. Many go on to have portfolio careers, including performing with established cutting-edge companies and forming their own companies, and producing or directing work. Other destinations for graduates include teaching, establishing theatre venues, writing, producing and more.
Careers options
Graduate ready to build a successful portfolio career in the performing arts, working in the UK and abroad as a freelance performer and theatremaker. Studying an Arts related subject gives you a wide range of skills that can be put to use in many careers. Recent graduates have gone on to become:
- Actors, entertainers, musicians and presenters
- Arts officers, producers and directors
- Teaching and other educational professionals
- Special needs education teaching professionals
- Authors, Writers and translators
- Artists, photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting operators
- Vocational trainers and instructors
- Playworkers
- Leisure and travel service roles
Meet the Programme Director
Programme Director - BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts and European Theatre Arts / Academic Coordinator for the Turing scheme
Read their profile Programme Director - BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts and European Theatre Arts / Academic Coordinator for the Turing scheme
Read their full profileHow to join
Applications are now open for September 2026.
We only accept applications through UCAS.
Institution code: R51
Course code: W422
UCAS Points
64 UCAS points*
This is equivalent to:
- Two C’s at ‘A’ level/AVCE,
- A Pass in a single AVCE Double Award at Grade C or above
- One Merit and two Passes at BTEC (QCF) National Diploma or equivalent,
- One Pass (D or E on the core) at T level or equivalent.
- Successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma in Production Arts
Auditions
Visit our Auditions page to learn more about the audition and interview process.
Course Summary
Duration
3 years
Mode of study
Full time
Start date
September 2026
Course Type
Undergraduate Course
Course Fees (2026 Entry)
UK/Republic of Ireland students (Fee per year)
£9535
International students (Fee per year)
£22800
