This intensive course covers fundamental aspects of actor training performance. You will develop skills in various performance areas such as children’s theatre, screen acting, and devising and directing theatre productions, as well as developing an understanding of the performance industry.

In addition, you will undertake preparation and training for auditions for future industry opportunities and higher education courses. To inform and enhance your learning and development, you will be expected to undertake independent rehearsals, study and research. This course is aimed at students who have ability and interest in drama, acting and theatre studies.

You will be involved in a range of performances which will develop your skills as a performer, and some of those performances will be selected and then toured. 

We also work with professional performers and companies within the industry to provide excellent work experience and workshop opportunities for dancers and actors. These include Amy Dowden from Strictly Come Dancing, Vanhulle Dance Theatre, Ellis Theatre Arts, Flexus Dance Company, Imagine Ballet, Scare Acting, One Dance UK,  National Adventure Farm, Alton Towers, Derby Theatre and The Brewhouse.

This two-year course includes:

• Performing and getting to know your instrument - whether it is a guitar, decks, voice or violin; we will help you to build your confidence and experience.
• Learning about genres and doing sessions - you will understand how to rehearse and manage a band.
• Work and set up live sound and studio production - how to help musicians to sound better live and in the studio.

You will learn relevant practical theory, whether from scratch or building upon knowledge you already have to support your chosen musical pathway. There is a choice between a performance and a production pathway which can be opted for in term two.

Year two builds upon the foundation of year one, encouraging independence and confidence whilst managing the StrodeLive production and performance team. Events management and a major project - developing and marketing your own music to perform and release; based upon several continually growing projects as a team, ensemble or soloist. You will still be developing as an all-round musician, producer or engineer and all the crossovers in between.

This course is a stepping stone into employment, university or dance school. You will gain the skills and knowledge to become competent, confident and innovative in your approach to your chosen career path. As part of the course, you will become part of our in-house performance company, Fleet Street Studios, leading and managing all projects. 

You will have the opportunity to take on performance roles in a variety of shows, including musicals, ballet, dance, music gigs, fashion shows and conferences. You will also have the chance to undertake work experience with reputable providers which will help you build up your industry contacts.

We also work with professional performers and companies within the industry to provide excellent work experience and workshop opportunities for dancers and actors. These include Amy Dowden from Strictly Come Dancing, Vanhulle Dance Theatre, Ellis Theatre Arts, Flexus Dance Company, Imagine Ballet, Scare Acting, One Dance UK, National Adventure Farm, Alton Towers, Derby Theatre and The Brewhouse.

This course will improve your dance technique and knowledge within many different genres, including contemporary, ballet, jazz and urban dance. 

You will be prepared for higher education at either university or vocational dance school. Theory based units exploring the dance industry will underpin your practical units and give you the knowledge to explore choreography. 

You will also have the opportunity to perform and complete work experience in a professional environment.

We work with professional performers and companies within the industry to provide excellent work experience and workshop opportunities for dancers and actors. These include Amy Dowden from Strictly Come Dancing, Vanhulle Dance Theatre, Ellis Theatre Arts, Flexus Dance Company, Imagine Ballet, Scare Acting, One Dance UK, National Adventure Farm, Alton Towers, Derby Theatre and The Brewhouse.

This course is a stepping stone into employment, university or drama school. You will gain the skills and knowledge to become competent, confident and innovative in your approach to your chosen career path. As part of the course, you will become part of our in-house performance company, Fleet Street Studios, leading and managing all projects. 

You will have the opportunity to take on performance roles in a variety of shows, including musicals, screen acting, comedy drama, abstract performances, full length plays and film projects. You will also have the chance to undertake work experience with reputable providers which will help you build up your industry contacts

We also work with professional performers and companies within the industry to provide excellent work experience and workshop opportunities for dancers and actors. These include Amy Dowden from Strictly Come Dancing, Vanhulle Dance Theatre, Ellis Theatre Arts, Flexus Dance Company, Imagine Ballet, Scare Acting, One Dance UK, National Adventure Farm, Alton Towers, Derby Theatre and The Brewhouse.

This course is a stepping stone into employment, university or drama school. You will gain the skills and knowledge to become competent, confident and innovative in your approach to your chosen career path. As part of the course, you will become part of our in-house performance company, Fleet Street Studios, leading and managing all projects. 

You will have the opportunity to take on performance roles in a variety of shows, including musicals, screen acting, comedy drama, abstract performances, full length plays and film projects. You will also have the chance to undertake work experience with reputable providers which will help you build up your industry contacts

We also work with professional performers and companies within the industry to provide excellent work experience and workshop opportunities for dancers and actors. These include Amy Dowden from Strictly Come Dancing, Vanhulle Dance Theatre, Ellis Theatre Arts, Flexus Dance Company, Imagine Ballet, Scare Acting, One Dance UK, National Adventure Farm, Alton Towers, Derby Theatre and The Brewhouse.

Develop your acting skills to a professional standard, while exploring English literature, and gain a deep understanding of the relationship between text and performance.

We offer the only combined actor-training and English degree in the UK, allowing you to develop your acting skills while studying English literature, giving you a firm knowledge base from which to work in either field.

Acting is the practical realisation of text and is closely linked to the discipline of English. This unique combination of study will open up many options for work or further academic study. You’ll have a range of options, which will allow you to tailor the course to fit your particular interests, and have the chance to develop allied skills such as theatre directing.

Acting classes cover acting for both stage and screen, and will include substantial workshop performances as well as public productions in the final year, including the opportunity to present your own fully supported show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

When you leave the course you’ll be armed with a career action plan, a show reel and significant experience in both acting and English.

On the BA (Hons) Professional and Commercial Dance you’ll have the opportunity to gain core skills in ballet, jazz, contemporary and commercial dance, and develop the knowledge and practical experience needed for employment in a variety of exciting and demanding professions in the performing arts industry.

The 3-year BA (Hons) course in Professional and Commercial Dance, delivered by Shockout Arts, offers you the opportunity to acquire and develop essential technical, artistic and theoretical competence through professional training to an advanced/level 6 standard. If you're an aspiring dance artist, successful completion of this 3-year BA (Hons) provides you with the platform to begin your professional career in the dance and performing arts industry. After graduation, you could continue your education at master’s level. The partnership between Shockout Arts and the University of Bolton offers you access to a number of postgraduate opportunities.

You’ll be based at Shockout Arts, studying and training in their purpose-built, high-specification dance studios that are equal to professional industry standards. Alongside your intensive practical dance training, you’ll have regular performance opportunities to help you develop a diverse range of performance and production skills.

Teaching staff at Shockout Arts are professional practitioners and choreographers. They are keen to make the time you spend with them as stimulating and rewarding as possible and enjoy a well-deserved reputation for being approachable and interested in your progress. As teaching often takes place in small groups you’ll have access to individual support and guidance at every stage.

Want to develop your musical craft from world-leading music tutors? Excited by the thought of learning to play instruments from the Medieval period or studying the music of today from around the globe?

Engage in multi-faceted and diverse study of music and dive into the exceptionally busy performance scene.

• Choose from diverse modules like Film Music Techniques and History, Music and Emotion, and The Symphony: Prestige and Politics.
• Enhance your professional development with our industry focused modules, including Arts Management and Music Education.
• Benefit from additional one-to-one instrumental and/or vocal tuition in each year and refine your musical craft.
• Join University Music ensembles and participate in a wide variety of different groups, both professionally and student led.
• Explore the city of Birmingham’s music venues, from the grand Birmingham Symphony Hall to the more intimate Jam House.   

Covering all aspects of musical theatre skills and opportunities for creating new music theatre, this practice-based course is ideal if you are looking ahead to a career as an on-stage performer or back-stage creative.

Our musical theatre degree includes weekly drama school-style actor training, focussing on all the classic musical theatre skills including acting, singing, dance, ensemble singing and yoga. These developing skills are realised in a full-scale production in each year of the course. In addition to performing in a full-scale musical, you will also take on a production role, including stage management, design, assistant director, hair and makeup, costume, front of house and many more. By both performing and having a production role you take full ownership of your musical theatre production and gain valuable experience across a range of creative roles.

You will also be able to explore your own creativity by co-creating original pieces of musical theatre. Through engagement with a variety of contemporary musical and performance techniques, you will expand your creative frames of reference to develop and understand new ways of combining music and theatre. There are opportunities to work with visiting creatives and performers, including working with a professional director in your third year production.

Inclusivity and community, as well as safe and supportive spaces, lie at the heart of the music theatre course. Together staff and students build and nurture an environment that is thriving with the highest level of training, and develop performers who are individual, unique, professional, and great company members. Personal support and guidance are a key aspect of our delivery to students.