Scenic Arts at Rose Bruford College March 2023

What you'll study

This course will develop your prop making, scenery construction and scenic painting skills.

You will gain hands-on experience and learn from working practitioners.  You will graduate with a forward-looking professional knowledge, based on traditional experience and practice as well as modern materials and emerging technologies.

This solid understanding of the technical arts combined with a core practical skills base can be applied across a wide range of roles, sectors and types of performance-based activity.

Scenic Arts at Rose Bruford College March 2023

Why choose this course?

Expert training

Gain construction skills in wood and metal (using hand tools and machinery). Learn scenic painting techniques and explore prop making in a range of materials. And develop advanced skills with computer-aided design (CAD), digital manufacturing and 3D modelling using resins and silicon

Learn from working professionals

Visiting tutors have included: Nigel Hook, freelance designer and Tony Award winner, The Play That Goes Wrong; Jane Broomfield, Co-designer/Art Director, ITV and BBC; Robert Allsopp, Costume props specialist; Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey production design (residency), Royal National Theatre; Zoe Ross freelance Prop Maker, Royal Opera House

Dedicated facilities

Spacious and equipped workshops on campus, which include CAD facilities, paint frame and specialist fibreglass and plaster room

Professional industry experience

You will undertake at least one industry placement while on the course. Recent placements have included the Royal Opera House, Polka Theatre, Oily Cart Theatre Company, Emergency Exit Arts, Nottingham Playhouse, and commercial scenic workshops such as Scott Fleary (London), Rocket Scenery (Nottingham), Visual Scene (Leicester)

Career focussed

Develop your own areas of specialism through individual project work, productions and work placement. Creating your own unique portfolio, growing your experience and preparing you for a career in the theatre and performance industries

Real experiences

You will manufacture scenic elements to live briefs and see them used in fully realised productions in College and London venues. Gaining an understanding of collaborating with designers, directors and other courses as part of a creative team

Scenic Arts at Rose Bruford College 2023

Course breakdown

Course content is regularly reviewed to keep it relevant and current. Course modules are therefore subject to change.

Year 1

You will be introduced to the academic and intellectual skills that you will need for study and professional development. Modules you will undertake during year 1 include but are not limited to:

Materials and Techniques

In seminars, workshops, practical demonstrations, field trips and classes, you will be introduced to the core craft and practical skills required in a range of theatre, events and performance-related industries.

You will also work with a range of software platforms to develop skills relevant to a range of Scenic Arts functions within the theatre, events and performance-related industries.

You will work with tutors to explore and develop your understanding of complementary fields of practice.

Module Options:
Areas of study are likely to include, but are not limited to:
1. Scenic construction and carpentry skills
2. Metal working techniques
3. Scenic painting, materials and techniques
4. Upholstery and soft furnishings
5. Design principles and model making
6. Three-dimensional modelling
7. Prop making and sourcing
8. General drawing skills
9. Technical drawing and drafting skills
10. The use of AutoCAD or other design software
11. Historical accuracy and traditional techniques

Industry Study and Professional Preparation 1

In class, you will be introduced to the business environments, structures, models and hierarchies that exist within the theatre, events and performance related industries.

You will also be introduced to the requirements of the workplace and encouraged to consider possible goals and career paths in a range of fields.

Year 2

Your skills will be further developed towards a level appropriate to professional work. You will be given experiences that simulate professional contexts. Modules you will undertake during year 2 include but are not limited to:

Advanced Materials and Techniques

With tutorial support and using field trips and independent research to inform your practice, you will further explore the range of advanced materials, techniques and technologies used in theatre, events and performance related industries, being given the opportunity to specialise in a primary area of Scenic Arts, with a secondary specialism in support.

Module Options:
Options for study might include, but are not limited to:
1. Advanced prop making
2. Advanced paint and texturing techniques
3. Scenic construction
4. Automation
5. Stage engineering
6. Venue design and architecture
7. Drapery and fabric skills
8. Make-up and prosthetics
9. The advanced use of AutoCAD or other design software

Primary and secondary options can be articulated in a number of ways. For example, Construction with CAD, or Prop making with Paint Techniques.

Study might take place at a partner institution or with an outside company. It might alternatively take place with a partner international institution or industry organization.

Industry Study and Professional Preparation 2

With briefings and tutorial support, having considered possible goals and career paths in a range of fields, you will go on to further consider relevant business models and environments.

Taking two or three modular options pertinent to your skillsets and ambitions will allow you to focus on particular areas of your chosen industry, conducting research and field work in order to better understand the context in which it exists.

You will have the opportunity to explore an area or areas of your chosen industry by engaging in a short placement or internship, thereby gaining first-hand experience of that environment.

Module Options:
Possible topics could include, but are not limited to:
1. Comparative workshop practices
2. Digital tools
3. Industrial design and implementation
4. Specialist materials
5. Specialist techniques
6. Sustainable practice and environmental impact within the broader arts sector

Year 3

You are expected to be a self-directed learner at year 3. Module study options include, but are not limited to:

Production Practice 2

You will work on one or more realised projects or productions, either within the College, with a partner organisation, or in industry. Here you will apply your skills, further extending and broadening your knowledge and understanding of Scenic Arts functions, roles, relationships and structures in a variety of contexts.

As you engage with these projects or productions, you will continue to develop your understanding of the sustainability agenda and work within appropriate Health & Safety and other regulatory frameworks.

Indicative Roles:
Depending on scale and scope of project, possible roles could include, but are not limited to:
1. Scenic Workshop Manager
2. Scenic Project Manager
3. Scenic Department Manager
4. Construction Lead
5. Paint Lead
6. Props Lead
7. Prop Maker
8. Designer and builder or maker

These roles might take place on College events or productions, on events or productions at partner institutions, or with an outside company. They might alternatively take place with a partner international institution or industry organization.

You will discuss role options with your programme tutors. You will be expected to take the lead in determining which will be the most appropriate, but the final decision rests with the College.

Industry Study and Professional Preparation 3

With tutorial support, you will further consider business models and environments relevant to your chosen field or fields.

Taking one or two modular options pertinent to your skillset and ambitions will allow you to focus on a particular area of your chosen industry, conducting research and field work in order to better understand the context in which it exists.

You will have the opportunity to explore an area of your chosen industry by engaging in a placement or internship, thereby further developing your understanding of the environment in which it operates.

Module Options:
Possible topics could include, but are not limited to:
1. Scenic Arts and the business environment
2. Legislation and regulation within the wider arts sector
3. Sustainability and environmental considerations within the wider arts sector
4. New materials
5. Developing practices and technologies

Teaching and assessment methods

In your first year, you will complete around 350 hours of indicative scheduled learning and teaching activities and 850 hours of independent learning on projects, productions, placements or self-directed study. Assessment will be through: Coursework, presentations, assessed tutorials and portfolios

In your second year, you will complete around 160 hours of indicative scheduled learning and teaching activities and 1040 hours of independent learning on projects, productions, placements or self-directed study. Assessment will be through: Coursework, presentations, assessed tutorials and portfolios

In your third year, you will complete around 30 hours of indicative scheduled learning and teaching activities and 1170 hours of independent learning on projects, productions, placements or self-directed study. Assessment will be through: Coursework, presentations, assessed tutorials and portfolios

Programme specification

Get a flavour

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Your future career

Design for Performance at Rose Bruford College
Scenic Arts at Rose Bruford College March 2023

We aim to put you in front of and amongst the profession. This includes the opportunity to network and undertake a professional placement, as well as introducing your work to the industry at our graduate exhibition in London.

We will also help you plan your career and build a portfolio working on productions and projects either in the College or in external venues.

Alumni success

Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey

Production Design Assistant - design residency - at the Royal National Theatre

Piers Ross & Danny Hayter

Managing Partners at All Scenes All Props - specialist builders for Theatre and the Arts

Darren Joyce

Head of Operations, Cardiff Theatrical Services

Zoe Ross

Freelance Prop Maker, at the Royal Opera House

Careers options

The skills you develop on this course will prepare you to join the next generation of Scenic Artists, Prop Makers, Scenic Carpenters, Scenic Metal Fabricators and Scenic Construction Drafters and enable you to pursue a rewarding career in the performance and media industries including theatre, film, television, museum displays, and themed attractions.

And 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:

  • Artists
  • Carpenters and joiners
  • Interior decoration designers
  • Production managers and directors in construction
  • Painters and decorators
  • Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers
  • Skilled tradesperson
  • Education support assistants
  • Freelancers and Creative start-ups

How to join

UK/Republic of Ireland and international applicants

Applications are now open for September 2025.

UCAS application deadline is 29th January 2025.

Institution code: R51

Course code: W4W7

64 UCAS points*

This is equivalent to two Cs at ‘A’ level or one Merit and two Passes at BTEC (QCF) National Diploma or equivalent.

*We offer places based upon your future potential. We may offer you a place based on lower UCAS points than shown here, or an offer that is not linked to UCAS points if we have evidence of your potential from your application, portfolio and interview.

Portfolio

Our Portfolio page gives an overview of what we will ask you to provide once we receive your application.

Course Summary

Duration

3 years

Mode of study

Full time

Start date

September 2025

Course Type

Undergraduate Course

Course Fees (2025 Entry)

UK/Republic of Ireland students (Fee per year)

£9250

International students (Fee per year)

£22800

Funding and Support Additional Costs

So, ready?