BA (Hons) Dance is a unique degree that offers specialist vocational and academic training across a variety of dance genres. Our modules are designed to develop your technical, performance, choreographic and teaching skills, whilst encouraging you to gain a strong sense of who you are as an artist and which area of dance you are passionate to pursue as a career – whether that be performing, creating, teaching or all three. Alongside your modules you will receive regular technique classes in different dance styles, as well as strength and conditioning training to support your development as a practitioner.
By the time you graduate, we want you to leave University as well-rounded, versatile dancers who feel confident and equipped with the knowledge of a range of genres that support your professional practice. The versatility of our team of lecturers allows us to deliver a wide range of these specialist areas to the highest of standards.
You will train in our purpose built Performing Arts Centre and benefit from two large, well-equipped harlequin sprung-floor dance studios, a multimedia suite and a devising studio. You will also have access to the University’s fitness suite at a discounted rate, and can also book treatment appointments as part of our sports therapy clinic offer.
Working across disciplines of acting, music and movement, this exciting and collaborative course responds to the creative industry demands of today by developing artists who will graduate as multi-skilled creative performers and practitioners.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for a BA, you can study this course as an extended, four-year programme. You'll begin by taking a foundation year which prepares you for a successful transition to the BA degree. This means it will take you four years to complete the course full-time, and eight years to complete the course part-time.
You will study acting, dance, physical theatre and community theatre through six distinctive modules. You will participate in a variety of dynamic projects and learn about current trends in the performing arts. The course content is specifically chosen to reflect the diverse nature of our students and this is evident through the themes, practitioners and subject matter covered. You will learn in a highly supportive environment where you can develop the self-confidence, knowledge, skills and understanding for further study.
Each module focuses on developing your understanding of the techniques intrinsic to the separate disciplines and will prepare you for a successful entry onto your chosen degree pathway listed below.
BA (Hons) Dance: Urban Practice
BA (Hons) Performing Arts
BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Performance
The foundation course is for students who:
do not yet have the entry requirements for study at level 4.
want to develop skills and confidence before embarking on study at Level 4.
are returning to study.
are changing careers and need to gain experience in the performing arts.
Working across disciplines of acting, music and movement, this exciting and collaborative course responds to the creative industry demands of today by developing artists who will graduate as multi-skilled creative performers and practitioners.
You will work collaboratively and creatively with your peers, exploring and blending the disciplines of music, movement and acting. Experiencing a range of contemporary performance methodologies, you will develop skills as both performer and performance maker, enabling you to establish your own authentic and relevant creative practice.
You will be taught by a team of academics and professional artistic practitioners with a combined wealth of experience as makers, performers and researchers. Professional guest speakers will provide lectures, tailored workshops, masterclasses and opportunities, which will provide a direct link to the creative arts industry. In the past, our students have performed or collaborated with Stratford Circus, the National Youth Theatre, English Heritage, Positive East, The Vault Festival and many more.
The sound and music industry is transforming. Traditional careers are adapting to include creative industries that require skills in sound and music production. The broadcast, film, theatre, games and immersive experience industries are growing and thriving.
We see opportunities for multi-skilled, digitally fluent, dynamic and adaptable sound and music creators, who can initiate and present innovative ideas in modern and engaging ways.
The BA (Hons) Music Technology and Production is part of a suite of programmes for applied practice in professional industry contexts. The key features of these programmes are: A focus on Ideas, Creative Enterprise and Collaboration, Portfolio of Transferable Skills, Professional Industry Projects.
You will develop and apply a range of specialist technical and creative skills in sound and music production, working collaboratively within interdisciplinary projects modelled on professional practice in the music industry.
The principal focus of the BA Music Technology and Production will be Music Production and Studio Production, with some elements of sound design and non-linear performance and production processes shared with other programmes in the suite.
We believe we've designed the ideal course for any performer, songwriter or composer who wants to work in music. There's room for everyone with creative ideas on our course, even if you haven't gained a formal music qualification. We're interested in anyone who feels compelled to make music in some way.
We don't want to dictate your musical path. You'll tell us where you want your music to take you. Then our teachers - all producers, composers, theorists and performers themselves - will help you find your way there.
We'll develop your specialist skills in music production, songwriting, performance and sound design. We'll give you the facilities and equipment to create with and the stages to perform on, and we'll underpin all this with a thorough examination of the history, culture and business of music.
Not only will we equip you to land a music industry job, we think you may just end up being the job!
In 2019, our course achieved an amazing 100% Student Satisfaction (NSS)!
Our BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Performance is an innovative degree programme that combines a commitment to socially-engaged performance practice with contemporary theatre as well as the processes of making performance for and with specific audiences. We offer exceptional opportunities for work-based learning through our network of leading industry partners. Our practice-based curriculum enables our students to thrive as creative performance-makers and applied theatre practitioners.
On our programme you will gain high level skills in facilitation, devising, performance and production enabling you to act across disciplinary fields of cultural work. You also develop strong academic foundations that equip you to question, analyse and understand the cultural and ethical contexts you work in. We are passionate about your creativity and imaginative potential of our students and their ability to transform the cultural landscape of the future.
'Applied Theatre' uses drama and performance to connect with communities that may have been marginalised. It devises theatre with, for and by its audience enabling participation and opening up the arts to the entire communities. Examples of practice include theatre in prisons, in schools, and in hospitals, as well as with specific groups such as the homeless, older people, or disabled people. Right from the outset of the degree you will be making performances and workshops in real social contexts touring your work to reach new audiences and build your facilitation skills.
Some of our industry partners include the Royal Court Theatre, Young Vic Theatre, Gideon Reeling, Creative Access, Kingsford Community School, School 21, Duckie, Access All Areas, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Stratford Circus, Clean Break, Brolly Prods, ZU UK, Half Moon Young People's Theatre, Outside Edge Theatre, London Bubble, Unicorn Theatre, Hackney Pirates, M-SET and Magic Me.
We have a thriving Study Abroad programme whereby students apply to spend a term in their second year at Columbia College, Chicago. The University's Going Global programme funds shorter trips abroad for students to take part in training, undertake research participate in workshops, or visit theatre projects worldwide.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for a BA, you can study this course as an 'extended', four-year programme. You'll begin by taking a foundation year which prepares you for a successful transition to the BA degree. This means it will take you four years to complete the course full-time, and eight years to complete the course part-time.
