From the start, you will be immersed in an exciting programme of discovery. You’ll explore the role of art and design in a modern society and, in particular, the role of costume design in the performing arts. The performance Costume programme offers specialist training in both Costume Design and Making for stage and screen. You will learn to respond to text, music and performance concepts and to develop designs for costume that are simultaneously innovative and supportive of the performer’s role. You will develop a repertoire of core skills, ranging from research, design for character, textiles, millinery, computer skills and illustration to pattern cutting and costume construction.
Who should study the BA (Hons) in Performance Costume?
Anyone with a passion for costume and a strong interest in the performing arts. If you have found yourself excited by costume in theatre, film, opera, musicals or dance, and longed to be involved in the creation of memorable and exciting images through costume, then this course is for you.
Join a vibrant creative community
Within ECA, you’ll find yourself at the heart of a dynamic community. You’ll be ideally placed to study the interaction between costume and the other arts, such as fashion, textiles, jewellery, film, animation, illustration, and also within the many courses in the wider University. You will take part in live productions in ECA and have the opportunity to undertake a wide range of work experience outside of the University.
Creative thinkers
You’ll be supported by academic staff and practitioners from the world of costume design. All will have specialist skills which will add to the range of your knowledge. And during your studies, you’ll have the chance to attend guest lectures from a range of inspirational creative designers.
Performing, composing, writing, debating – this course is geared towards the needs of the contemporary musician. There’s an emphasis on being able to thrive in different professional and industry contexts.
At Sussex, Music focuses on performance, composition and critical thinking. Designed to be expansive, this BA cuts across genres such as popular, classical, film, global and avant-garde. You’ll:
You’ll learn from composers, performers and musicologists. There’s an emphasis on creativity and challenging assumptions. Our faculty combine practical musicianship skills with performing and writing music, arranging and music history.
You’ll also benefit from our connections with local music organisations. These include Glyndebourne, the world-class opera venue in the Sussex Downs near Lewes, and The Rose Hill, an independent music venue and creative hub run by artists and musicians in Brighton.
Some of our recent graduates have been signed to labels, made the BBC Radio 6 Music A-list, toured professionally, played at SXSW, released albums or composed music for advertising. Others have gone on to record labels, to Nordoff Robbins music therapy, or to jobs in film and game composition.
Pursue your interests in theatre and performance, with the added benefit of studying a language.
Through a distinctive combination of practice and theory, you examine theatre’s historical, political and cultural contexts. You’ll discover how theatre has impacted on society and encourages new modes of thinking.
Alongside this, you’ll develop skills in theatre-making and performance analysis. You have the opportunity to use our versatile facilities, including the state-of-the-art Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts on campus.
Choose one language from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, or you can choose to study English Language Teaching. The languages we offer can be studied at a variety of levels, depending on your chosen language.
BA Theatre is a unique conversion course that recognises your previous study or your work experience, enabling you to complete your BA degree in a year. As this course is taught entirely online, you can pursue your passion for theatre while working, performing or managing a household, fitting your studies around your daily routine.
As part of Guildford School of Acting (GSA), you’ll be inspired by passionate tutors and benefit from the School’s long-standing reputation as a world-class conservatoire.
Primarily a one-year course, our BA Theatre is delivered through online learning and is equivalent to Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6) of full-time study. The course includes three optional weekend tutorials, where you can join your tutors and other students for an intensive study and workshop experience.
Delivered by the renowned Guildford School of Acting, this course offers a range of modules that will integrate your professional experience with theory across a broad set of topics. These include:
- Contemporary performer training
- Political theatre
- Musical theatre
- Theories of performance
- A pathway module with choices of:
- Play writing
- Theatre design
- Choreography
- Musical theatre creation.
We’ll guide you to actively engage with relevant concepts, exploring the rich heritage of theatre from a critical, experiential and practical perspective.
Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is one of the world’s most successful conservatoires for musical theatre training. Our alumni have appeared in the West End, on Broadway and across the world.
Our courses are ranked 5th in the UK for drama and dance in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, 6th in the UK for drama, dance and cinematic in the Complete University Guide 2023, and 7th in the UK for drama and dance in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
We provide you with personalised industry-focused instruction and education, within the discipline of an ensemble, to develop your skills and abilities in preparation for a successful and rewarding career in musical theatre.
Our BA (Hons) Actor-Musician course is run by Guildford School of Acting (GSA), one of the most highly regarded theatre schools in the UK. You’ll be taught by industry-leading professionals, and join a vibrant community of talented individuals.
We’ll develop your combined talents as an actor and a musician, including the versatility to work professionally as an actor or actor-musician in a wide range of theatrical contexts.
On our BA (Hons) Actor-Musician course, you’ll develop performance skills in acting, musicianship, dance, voice and singing, alongside essential critical and analytical work.
In your first year, you’ll strengthen core skills in acting, dance, singing, voice and music. With classes in all disciplines and project work on storytelling, ensemble work, modern text, screen acting and musical theatre.
In your second year, you’ll work on diverse texts, ranging from classical theatre to musical theatre, with musicianship skills integrated within all your studies. Voice, singing, music and dance skill classes continue and broaden the technical base of your training.
In your third year, you’ll work on three main projects: a play, a musical and a classical piece, alongside a showcase of your work, connecting you with casting directors and agents across the creative industries.
By developing your skills as an actor-musician, you’ll be able to take advantage of the ever-growing demand for versatile professional performers who can combine superb acting ability with a high standard of musicianship. Recent graduates have worked across a range of media including exciting projects with HBO, Netflix and also have worked in a wide range of theatre from Shakespeare through to musical theatre.
Training to become an actor is an intensive process which requires curiosity, courage and commitment. At Guildford School of Acting (GSA), we’ll help you develop your imagination, range, skills and technique. You’ll learn how to prepare for rehearsal, how to rehearse and how to use independent and proactive processes to achieve your best work possible for stage and screen.
Drawing on the teaching and practices of a range of practitioners - from Uta Hagen and Jacques LeCoq, to Rudolf Laban and Anne Bogart - our BA (Hons) Acting course will develop your imagination, your technique, your expressive and collaborative skills, and your creativity.
You’ll also take screen acting classes and complete film and radio projects that allow you to explore the processes needed in today’s recorded media.
You’ll attend classes and workshops with guest speakers to develop your professional network and employment opportunities. As you come to the end of your course, you’ll complete your transition to professional performer with an industry showcase for invited agents and industry guests.
This course is designed to build on HND or Foundation Degree qualifications in music. It combines degree-level theoretical studies with further training in musical performance, musicology, creative sound and participatory practice. The result is a mix of academic rigour and practical skills that makes our Music course a stimulating journey of discovery, reflection and achievement.
Why us?
- Top up an HND or foundation degree to a full honours degree, studying with award-winning lecturers
- Pursue your passion through independent music study with either a practical or theoretical focus
- Opportunities to participate in musical theatre projects and choir performances and collaborate with dance, drama and media students
- Study in a vibrant city music scene with new arts, culture and music venue investment
- Exceptional menu of modules, ranging from musicology and creative sound to community/education work and musical multimedia
- Aspiring teachers can gain experience of working as a music facilitator in educational and community settings
