The BA (Hons) Drama is a versatile and exciting degree that offers an opportunity for you to gain experience in multiple areas of contemporary drama, theatre and performance. You will take a practical approach to these disciplines, developing physical and vocal performance skills alongside creative thinking and your work will be underpinned by critical performance theory.
The course also provides students with an opportunity to look beyond the role of the performer and consider the importance of designing, devising, directing, writing and teaching in performing arts.
Can't decide on which course you love the most? Why not try looking at our joint options... BA (Hons) Drama and Musical Theatre and BA (Hons) Dance and Drama.
You will study a broad range of topics including applied drama, popular performance, physical theatre, text, devising, live art, design and scenography, scriptwriting and performance analysis. You will do this through an engagement with a range of significant 20th and 21st century play texts, performance practitioners, directors and theatre companies.
We take a radical approach to teaching that mirrors industry practice; you will have the opportunity to take part in a key production module at each level of the course, which is rehearsed and performed within an intensive three week period.
During the degree you will
- acquire a portfolio of key skills and develop an understanding of why and how drama, theatre and performance practices work in different contexts.
- engage in a substantial final year project that will enhance your future employability.
- develop industry links through work with influential regional theatre companies such as Stan’s Café, Geese Theatre Company and Gazebo Theatre in Education.
- have the opportunity to perform in venues such as the Birmingham REP, the Arena Theatre and the Black Country Living Museum.
Modules you will study:
Year 1
- Practical Approaches: Performance Skills
- Performance: The Public Performer
- Applied Drama: Setting the Context
- Text: Challenging Conventions
- Performance Analysis: Fundamentals in Drama
- Scenography: Visualising the Text
Year 2
- Performance: The Creative Performer
- Theatre Movements: Practitioner’s Perspectives
- Applied Drama: Educator or Facilitator
- Text: How Play’s Work
- Performance Analysis: Critical Contexts
- Scenography: Applying Technology
Year 3
- Performance: The Independent Producer
- Theatre Movements: Contemporary Perspectives
- Applied Drama: The Workplace
- Text: Contemporary Contexts
- Professional Project
You will be taught in the Performance Hub, our purpose-built performing arts building that houses The Black Box Theatre, one of the best-equipped small scale theatres in the country. The hub features two bespoke drama studios that are ideal for rehearsals and small performances. The studios house the latest performance technology, audio/visual equipment and facilities for hanging lighting for performances.
Be in London in just 90 minutes, Manchester in 70 minutes or Birmingham in only 15 minutes on the train from Wolverhampton – the Midlands is the ideal location for those who are keen to engage with theatre and performance nationally.
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The member of academic staff who leads this course is Paul Brownbill
The course has a strong focus on employability and enterprise that leads to a diverse range of career opportunities for graduates, these include teaching, performing, directing, working as a playwright, casting agent, stage manager, technician or designer. Previous graduates are also employed in arts administration, media, marketing and management. Alternatively, you could continue your academic studies by progressing on to our MA in Contemporary Theatre and Performance (or other MA courses) and then eventually to a PhD. Following the degree you might also consider going on to train to teach, either through a PGCE course or a Graduate Teacher Programme.
- Vocal skills including breath control, voice control and delivery
- Physical skills such as stage combat and physical theatre
- Applications of drama including workshop facilitation, theatre in education, theatre in museums and teaching experience
- Devising skills and the ability to take an imaginative approach to performance making
- Ability to work as a creative collaborator
- Ability to analyse, critique and evaluate drama, theatre and performance
"The course, course leaders and organisation of the drama department is spot on."
"‘Excellent lecturers who are always enthusiastic in teaching."
"The tutors are always approachable and make you feel more confident and at ease knowing that they are there. The tutors are always on hand to offer support and guidance."
"Doing the course has helped me realise what I want to do now in life."
"The course involves a lot of group work, which presents a great opportunity to make friends. The course boosts your confidence both inside and outside university, and it also gives a great opportunity to show off talent."
"The vocational aspect of the course is stimulating, and it prepares you for the professional world."
These modules are correct at the time of publication. Modules may change over time due to validation and continuous monitoring policies. Applicants will be notified in writing of any significant changes to their chosen course(s).
| Title | Credit | Type | Year | Location |
|---|
| Applied Drama: Setting the Context | 20.00 | Core | 1 | Walsall Campus |
| Performance Analysis: Fundamentals in Drama | 20.00 | Core | 1 | Walsall Campus |
| Performance: The Public Performer | 20.00 | Core | 1 | Walsall Campus |
| Practical Approaches: Performance Skills | 20.00 | Core | 1 | Walsall Campus |
| Scenography: Visualising the Text | 20.00 | Core | 1 | Walsall Campus |
| Text: Challenging Conventions | 20.00 | Core | 1 | Walsall Campus |
| Applied Drama: Educator or Facilitator? | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Walsall Campus |
| Performance Analysis: Critical Contexts in Drama | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Walsall Campus |
| Performance: The Creative Performer | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Walsall Campus |
| Scenography: Applying Technology | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Walsall Campus |
| Text: How Plays Work | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Walsall Campus |
| Theatre Movements: Practitioners' Perspectives | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Walsall Campus |
| Applied Drama: The Workplace | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Walsall Campus |
| Performance: The Independent Production | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Walsall Campus |
| Professional Projects in Drama | 40.00 | Core | 3 | Walsall Campus |
| Text: Contemporary Contexts | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Walsall Campus |
| Theatre Movements: Contemporary Perspectives | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Walsall Campus |
2019 Entry
- BBC from ‘A’ levels
- BTEC QCF Extended Diploma grade DMM; BTEC QCF Diploma grade D*D*
- Rockschool Level 3 (RSL) Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts grade D
- Access to HE Diploma full award (Pass of 60 credits - of which a minimum of 45 credits must be at level 3 including 18 at Merit or Distinction)
- If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.
- International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here
Other Requirements
Those meeting the entry requirements may be shortlisted to attend an Audition. Read further information on the audition process here
Applicants will also be required to provide satisfactory reference.
Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.
Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be offered an alternative course.
Additional Course Costs
Additional Materials - Nil
Additional Field Trips - £1000 - All Performing Arts students will have an opportunity to partake in the bi-annual trip to New York, costs vary according to cohort size and programme of events but can be expected to be in the order of £800 - £1,000. There will be opportunities to attend Musicals and Theatre performances in London and across the UK, recent examples: Hair, Kinky Boots, Hamilton, Rent
Additional Events/Performances - £250 - Final performances and productions are by individual design as as such costs in this area are difficult to quantify. Potential spend areas: venue hire; props; costumes; choreographers; sets etc
Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies
The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed
The University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships in addition to other financial support packages
Tuition Fees Loan: If you wish, you can take out a Government Student Loan which covers the full course fee. You pay it back once you’ve left university and your income is more than £25,725 (from April 2019). More information on repayments can be found at: repayments.It’s available to eligible full-time higher education students and does not depend on family income.
The amount of the Tuition Fees Loan is paid directly to the University of Wolverhampton by the Student Loan Company.
Visit student finance on the gov.uk website to find out more.
Self-funding: If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: see
How to Pay.The funding available to you depends on when you started your studies and if you have been to University previously.
For more information please contact the Gateway.
Financial Hardship: Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund (http://www.wlv.ac.uk/study-here/money-matters/financial-support/dennis-turner-opportunity-fund/) for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.
